Dial removal - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike Brett · 13th Mar 2012, 1:27 pm

Hi
I have a Bush portable radio TR82 C which I need to remove the tuning knob from so that I can get to the chassis. Now the manual says it just pulls of but mine is stuck fast, the surrounding dial is just plastic so I am concerned that to much pulling and it will crack. Has anyone tried to remove one of these and can offer any ideas of the best way to do it.
Cheers in advance Mike

Darren-UK · 13th Mar 2012, 1:39 pm

The usual method is to slip a boot lace behind it, getting the lace as near to the centre as possible, then pulling whilst gently rocking it at the same time.

Take care to ensure the lace doesn't snag the cursor.

Nickthedentist · 13th Mar 2012, 1:47 pm

Darren's advice is spot-on. Not too much rocking though!

Try to get the cord/lace in a figure-of-eight shape, so that it's pulling evenly on both sides of the spindle, not just one one side.

Nick.

60 oldjohn · 13th Mar 2012, 3:55 pm

May I add, best not go in to a cold workshop and attack it, perspex is slightly less brittle at room tempreture (temperature). John.

Mike Brett · 13th Mar 2012, 5:59 pm

I tried this method with some thin nylon cord plus I also managed to get the thin tube you get on a WD40 can under the dial and get a few drops on the shaft then laid it, dial down to let it soak into the back of the knob, it worked a treat.
Many thanks Mike

Darren-UK · 13th Mar 2012, 6:18 pm

Be careful with things like thin nylon cord as they localise the pulling tension too much and can crack the dial. Things like boot laces are much better, being softer and thicker.

camtechman · 14th Mar 2012, 2:04 pm

Mike, don't take offense at my question but is it an original British TR82C and not the later Chinese reproduction model?

Nickthedentist · 14th Mar 2012, 2:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by camtechman

...the later Chinese reproduction model?

where the dial is released by removing a screw from the back, if I remember rightly.

camtechman · 14th Mar 2012, 2:09 pm

Correct

camtechman · 14th Mar 2012, 2:10 pm

Also 'affectionately' referred to as the "Wonky U" version.

Robert Darwent · 14th Mar 2012, 4:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by camtechman

Mike, don't take offense at my question but is it an original British TR82C and not the later Chinese reproduction model?

From Mike's reply in post #5 below;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Brett

...I also managed to get the thin tube you get on a WD40 can under the dial and get a few drops on the shaft then laid it, dial down to let it soak into the back of the knob, it worked a treat.

it looks like he's successfully removed the dial by the advised cord/lace method, indicating he has an original TR82 model.

By the way, there was a thread from 2005 which discussed various methods of dial removal on these Bush models here, including the plunger method recommended by Bush themselves.

Regards

14th Mar 2012, 4:27 pm

On my VTR103 I simply kept pulling the dial off one side then 'tother by hand, it did take a while, about 15 miniutes. When I replaced it I slackened the spring a bit and put some silicone grease (don't use ordinary hydrocarbon stuff, it can affect plastic and sets like glue in a few years) on the the shaft. It has been suggested pullling the chassis out therefore supporting the knob all the way round.

Mike Brett · 14th Mar 2012, 8:57 pm

Hello all
No this is an original model from the 1960s,given to me in cosmetically pretty good condition although it was not working. On giving it the once over I found the problems where a dirty wave change switch and a broken earphone socket, very simple really and now it sounds great.
Mike

13th Mar 2012, 1:27 pm	#1
Mike Brett Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 452	Dial removal Hi I have a Bush portable radio TR82 C which I need to remove the tuning knob from so that I can get to the chassis. Now the manual says it just pulls of but mine is stuck fast, the surrounding dial is just plastic so I am concerned that to much pulling and it will crack. Has anyone tried to remove one of these and can offer any ideas of the best way to do it. Cheers in advance Mike

13th Mar 2012, 1:39 pm	#2
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Dial removal The usual method is to slip a boot lace behind it, getting the lace as near to the centre as possible, then pulling whilst gently rocking it at the same time. Take care to ensure the lace doesn't snag the cursor.

13th Mar 2012, 1:47 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Dial removal Darren's advice is spot-on. Not too much rocking though! Try to get the cord/lace in a figure-of-eight shape, so that it's pulling evenly on both sides of the spindle, not just one one side. Nick.

13th Mar 2012, 3:55 pm	#4
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Dial removal May I add, best not go in to a cold workshop and attack it, perspex is slightly less brittle at room tempreture (temperature). John.

13th Mar 2012, 6:18 pm	#6
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Dial removal Be careful with things like thin nylon cord as they localise the pulling tension too much and can crack the dial. Things like boot laces are much better, being softer and thicker.

13th Mar 2012, 5:59 pm	#5
Mike Brett Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 452	Re: Dial removal I tried this method with some thin nylon cord plus I also managed to get the thin tube you get on a WD40 can under the dial and get a few drops on the shaft then laid it, dial down to let it soak into the back of the knob, it worked a treat. Many thanks Mike

14th Mar 2012, 2:04 pm	#7
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Dial removal Mike, don't take offense at my question but is it an original British TR82C and not the later Chinese reproduction model? __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

14th Mar 2012, 2:09 pm	#9
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Dial removal Correct __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

14th Mar 2012, 2:10 pm	#10
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Dial removal Also 'affectionately' referred to as the "Wonky U" version. __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

14th Mar 2012, 4:27 pm	#12
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dial removal On my VTR103 I simply kept pulling the dial off one side then 'tother by hand, it did take a while, about 15 miniutes. When I replaced it I slackened the spring a bit and put some silicone grease (don't use ordinary hydrocarbon stuff, it can affect plastic and sets like glue in a few years) on the the shaft. It has been suggested pullling the chassis out therefore supporting the knob all the way round. Last edited by Guest; 14th Mar 2012 at 4:29 pm. Reason: added R to ype number

14th Mar 2012, 8:57 pm	#13
Mike Brett Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 452	Re: Dial removal Hello all No this is an original model from the 1960s,given to me in cosmetically pretty good condition although it was not working. On giving it the once over I found the problems where a dirty wave change switch and a broken earphone socket, very simple really and now it sounds great. Mike