Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

radio kronoc · 17th Aug 2008, 3:27 pm

Hi,

This is my first post here, so go easy on me

I've just rescued a Telefunken Opus 8 from my mother's attic, this was the main (only) radio in our house when I was a young kid (not so long ago either, I'm 32) prior to transistors taking over our home, and I would love to have it take pride of place in my living room.

Unfortunately the wooden cabinet seems to have taken some bashing over the years (I am attaching some photos to the posting). After reading advice elsewhere on the site I am going to buy some wax to polish up the radio, after cleaning any dust and dirt with a damp cloth.

However I don't know what to do about the from bottom left corner. It appears that a large piece of the wooden facing has dropped off at some point in the past. What is the best way for me to (a) repair/replace this and (b) prevent the damage from spreading?

Is it possible to buy pieces of replacement wooden facing? What should I be asking for and where?

Excuse these newbie questions, if it's all answered in some FAQ please feel free to refer me there!

Kronoc

paulsherwin · 17th Aug 2008, 3:40 pm

A lot depends on your woodworking skills and how good a job you want to make of it.

In view of the sentimental value, I would be tempted to take the cabinet to a cabinetmaker or other woodworking professional and have it repaired. This is obviously the most expensive option.

You could try to replace the missing veneer yourself. DIY sheds like B&Q sell sheets of veneer, and you will find books in your local library describing how to apply it. You will find it's very difficult to do a good job without the right tools, training and experience though.

A third approach would be to remove the veneer from the front of the cabinet completely and refinish the underlying plywood. This will not look anything like as good as a veneered repair but is within the abilities of most people.

Good luck, Paul

radio kronoc · 19th Aug 2008, 12:33 pm

Thanks for that Paul.

What I think I will do is first of all look into the idea of doing it myself, but if it looks like it's the kind of thing I might mess up I'll take it to someone to get it done properly.

Is this something a furniture restorer can do, or should I be looking for someone more specific?

Thanks.

chipp1968 · 19th Aug 2008, 5:59 pm

Someone capable of furniture restoration should be able to sort it out . It is made in the same way as furniture

paulsherwin · 19th Aug 2008, 6:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by radio kronoc

Is this something a furniture restorer can do?

Absolutely, this is bread and butter stuff for a furniture restorer, though a tough job for the layman.

Paul

Nickthedentist · 19th Aug 2008, 6:49 pm

Not necessarily very cheap though, but worth it if it's got sentimentlal value.

Nick.

17th Aug 2008, 3:27 pm	#1
radio kronoc Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 2	Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet Hi, This is my first post here, so go easy on me I've just rescued a Telefunken Opus 8 from my mother's attic, this was the main (only) radio in our house when I was a young kid (not so long ago either, I'm 32) prior to transistors taking over our home, and I would love to have it take pride of place in my living room. Unfortunately the wooden cabinet seems to have taken some bashing over the years (I am attaching some photos to the posting). After reading advice elsewhere on the site I am going to buy some wax to polish up the radio, after cleaning any dust and dirt with a damp cloth. However I don't know what to do about the from bottom left corner. It appears that a large piece of the wooden facing has dropped off at some point in the past. What is the best way for me to (a) repair/replace this and (b) prevent the damage from spreading? Is it possible to buy pieces of replacement wooden facing? What should I be asking for and where? Excuse these newbie questions, if it's all answered in some FAQ please feel free to refer me there! Kronoc Attached Thumbnails

17th Aug 2008, 3:40 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet A lot depends on your woodworking skills and how good a job you want to make of it. In view of the sentimental value, I would be tempted to take the cabinet to a cabinetmaker or other woodworking professional and have it repaired. This is obviously the most expensive option. You could try to replace the missing veneer yourself. DIY sheds like B&Q sell sheets of veneer, and you will find books in your local library describing how to apply it. You will find it's very difficult to do a good job without the right tools, training and experience though. A third approach would be to remove the veneer from the front of the cabinet completely and refinish the underlying plywood. This will not look anything like as good as a veneered repair but is within the abilities of most people. Good luck, Paul

19th Aug 2008, 12:33 pm	#3
radio kronoc Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 2	Re: Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet Thanks for that Paul. What I think I will do is first of all look into the idea of doing it myself, but if it looks like it's the kind of thing I might mess up I'll take it to someone to get it done properly. Is this something a furniture restorer can do, or should I be looking for someone more specific? Thanks.

19th Aug 2008, 5:59 pm	#4
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet Someone capable of furniture restoration should be able to sort it out . It is made in the same way as furniture

19th Aug 2008, 6:49 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Restoring a Telefunken Opus 8 Cabinet Not necessarily very cheap though, but worth it if it's got sentimentlal value. Nick.