To stuff or not to stuff...?

[Richardgr]

I think the compromise solution is to take photos, carefully remove the original components (even if the leads have to be teased off tags where they are wrapped), then replace with new components. Keep the old components in a bag for any future owner of the equipment, who may want to return it to an original appearance.

On a downbeat note, why bother restoring it to a working state anyway? After restoring a couple of mid-30s radios last year, I was not able to string up a decent enough aerial where I lived, and when I put up a temp one, there was not a lot of radio stations left to listen to anyway!

It feels like the tide has turned for old radios in the last few years. There comes a time when even restuffing is destroying the historical provenance of the equipment, making it is pointless ultimately.

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Richardgr

I think the compromise solution is to take photos, carefully remove the original components (even if the leads have to be teased off tags where they are wrapped), then replace with new components. Keep the old components in a bag for any future owner of the equipment, who may want to return it to an original appearance.

On a downbeat note, why bother restoring it to a working state anyway? After restoring a couple of mid-30s radios last year, I was not able to string up a decent enough aerial where I lived, and when I put up a temp one, there was not a lot of radio stations left to listen to anyway!

405 line television in Bands I/III haven't been broadcast since 1985, but that hasn't stopped those of us enthusiastic enough from restoring sets and generating signals locally. Easier still with radio, and in a strange way being able to demonstrate an obsolite historical technology has more value somehow.

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by Richardgr

I think the compromise solution is to take photos, carefully remove the original components (even if the leads have to be teased off tags where they are wrapped), then replace with new components. Keep the old components in a bag for any future owner of the equipment, who may want to return it to an original appearance.

On a downbeat note, why bother restoring it to a working state anyway? After restoring a couple of mid-30s radios last year, I was not able to string up a decent enough aerial where I lived, and when I put up a temp one, there was not a lot of radio stations left to listen to anyway!

It feels like the tide has turned for old radios in the last few years. There comes a time when even restuffing is destroying the historical provenance of the equipment, making it is pointless ultimately.

With respect I disagree with most of this to be honest. I can't really see the point in taking photos of a 50s woody prior to changing capacitors, or that anyone in the future would be remotely interested in a bag of faulty caps. Also "teasing" the legs of a component is far from an easy task; you invariably end up overheating just about everything associated with that joint, plastic insulated wiring et all.

As for why bother restoring it? That's purely up to the individual, for many of us there's still a fair amount of MW stuff on air and of course the use of a pantry transmitter. Yes we like to restore sets, it's an enjoyable pastime, a large part of the hobby.

[Richardgr]

Hi Steve,

My post was edited to remove the automotive reference.

I was not advocating that old equipment should not be restored, but pointing out that tampering with it can impact its provenance, if it has historical significance.

I did restore those old radios, and I was blown away by the performance of 90 year old field coil loudspeakers, and probably original tubes. So yes, I totally agree that restoration is an essential part of appreciating the past. I am just not so convinced that a critical part of restoration is hiding the restoration (i.e. 'stuffing'); it does need to be sympathetic though.

Has anyone on this thread refused to buy a piece for their collection because in the past it had been restored and not stuffed? I prefer untouched, but if I was buying a piece of restored equipment I would like to see what was changed.

[G6Tanuki]

It must come down to personal preference.

I've never restuffed, and am happy to hurl things like electrolytics and old bathtub capacitors from an AR88 into the bin, replacing them with a chunk of FR4 with turret-tags and shiny yellow plastic capacitors visible if you can manage the strength to get the the radio out of its case!

The idea of keeping the old parts to pass on to a subsequent owner seems to me to be taking things to extremes.

I like things that both work properly and still have utility. Given the almost total collapse of MW/LW broadcasting [and given that FM is going the same way as the remaining stations are merging into a couple of largely-identical operations] I've been disposing of of my MW/LW/FM broadcast-radios rather than restoring them - because even if they were restored to as-good-as-or-better-than-new performance they wouldn't deliver what to me is worthwhile content. I'm keeping my 'communications' radios though, because they still receive hams and VOLMET and the like on SSB/CW on shortwave!.

So, restuff unseen parts if you want. Restore the cabinets of old wooden/bakelite radios that can no longer receive much if that's what turns you on. Rebuild old radiograms/tellies, listen to vinyl/cassettes, watch vintage movies on a VHS player. Use AM on 80 Metres from a valve transmitter to talk to your friends a few times a week, and receive their replies using a WWII-era military radio.

There is no one 'right' answer since it all comes down to personal preference and what delights the individual.

[Radio Wrangler]

If we were all interested in exactly the same things, imagine the prices, imagine the queues!

Diversity is good.

David

[steve102]

I respect everyone's views but I always take the time and effort to re-stuff capacitors on pre-war radios. I like to preserve the original appearance of the chassis wherever possible and it ensures the names of long-gone capacitor manufacturers such as Hunts, TCC, Dubilier, etc. are available for future generations.

Steve

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by steve102

I like to preserve the original appearance of the chassis wherever possible and it ensures the names of long-gone capacitor manufacturers such as Hunts, TCC, Dubilier, etc. are available for future generations.

Steve

Not to mention the date-stamp that the larger electrolytics almost always carry.

[Cobaltblue]

Sadly this thread has created too many post reports and too much editing so the thread is being closed.

Cheers

Mike T