I got this out of the trash pile from when I helped my wifes Grandmother move... This was in the attic of her house for the past 50 years. The wires were all cracked and frayed, the finish was cracked an peeling...
I loved the look of this old radio, I had cleaned it and used it for decoration for about a year before i decided to turn it into a speaker for my IPod.. I used an old radio alarm clock speaker box.
I loved the look of this old radio, I had cleaned it and used it for decoration for about a year before i decided to turn it into a speaker for my IPod.. I used an old radio alarm clock speaker box.
Step 1: Gut the radio and repair any cracks
There were four screw on the bottom of this radio that I had to remove to slide out the entire radio from the radio case(very convenient). After removing the radio tray I removed the dry rot speaker cloth and wiped the inside with a damp rag. I had to glue and clamp a few spots that were either cracked or separated from another connecting piece... These were such small issues i didnt take any pics. I also removed all the circuitry and tubes i did not need in the radio anymore. what I had left was a bottom tray with a bracket that attached the large round tuner window. I cleaned all these items with warm soap and water and set aside...
Step 2: Sand and re-finish the radio case...
Using a chisel I popped the black speaker grids off of the radio case. They came off pretty easy actually.
Sanded the entire outside with 220 grit sandpaper down to bare wood. Then I sprayed the outside with water based "Polycrylic" wood finish. 2 coats light sanding in-between with 400 grit. After that, using some black paint and a q-tip I touched up the black spots that needed to be touched up. I'm actually pretty happy with the results. I like the look of the wood without the dark stain they had on it previously...
Sanded the entire outside with 220 grit sandpaper down to bare wood. Then I sprayed the outside with water based "Polycrylic" wood finish. 2 coats light sanding in-between with 400 grit. After that, using some black paint and a q-tip I touched up the black spots that needed to be touched up. I'm actually pretty happy with the results. I like the look of the wood without the dark stain they had on it previously...
Step 3: Prepare and mount the new speakers
I used a set of speaker from an IHome clock radio. The speakers were already conveniently in their own speaker boxes. and even more conveniently, they fit inside the radio and on top of the tray nicely.
After removing the speakers I wired them together and mounted them onto a 3/4"plywood board and then mounted to board to the radio tray positioning the speakers to the front of the radio grill. this took several times of removing and re-positioning until I got it just right.
After removing the speakers I wired them together and mounted them onto a 3/4"plywood board and then mounted to board to the radio tray positioning the speakers to the front of the radio grill. this took several times of removing and re-positioning until I got it just right.
Step 4: Replace the speaker cloth
You need a light material for this. If you price out speaker fabric be ready for ridiculously high prices for something that an old pair of panty hose can do in some cases.. I used an old cloth dollar store shower curtain. It was light enough for what I need.
I cut a 1/4 hard board piece to fit and cover the inside of the radio cabinet behind the speaker hole, I gave about 1/2" extra on all sides to allow for attaching to the inside after wrapping the fabric...
After you have the right size piece to cover the hole trace from the outside around the speaker opening. Cut this piece out using a scroll saw.
Dry fit the piece of wood inside without the fabric to see how it fits... I had to cut a corner to allow for a knob post to go through. This doesn't have to be pretty... Now spray contact adhesive onto the outside (side with the fabric) and then stretch the fabric while you have someone place the frame onto the fabric and hold it for a while (I stacked a few books on it) until I was ready for it. using a hot glue gun, I glued the new speaker frame with cloth in place.
I cut a 1/4 hard board piece to fit and cover the inside of the radio cabinet behind the speaker hole, I gave about 1/2" extra on all sides to allow for attaching to the inside after wrapping the fabric...
After you have the right size piece to cover the hole trace from the outside around the speaker opening. Cut this piece out using a scroll saw.
Dry fit the piece of wood inside without the fabric to see how it fits... I had to cut a corner to allow for a knob post to go through. This doesn't have to be pretty... Now spray contact adhesive onto the outside (side with the fabric) and then stretch the fabric while you have someone place the frame onto the fabric and hold it for a while (I stacked a few books on it) until I was ready for it. using a hot glue gun, I glued the new speaker frame with cloth in place.
Step 5: Finish it up and kick back with some tunes...
Once I got the speaker cloth in the way I wanted it, I had to install the radio tray with the new speakers. This took some more tweaking because of the knobs and glass dome. but after some trial and error I got it in.
I then cut a new back out of some 1/4" hardboard and sprayed it lightly with some black spray paint.
And Its done...
And now its done...
It sounds great, though the volume is a little low.
At a later time (when i know how to do it) I would like to add an amplifier with volume control and on/off switch. as well as possibly light up the inside of the tuner window...
Ahhh, well... another time I guess...
Thanks for looking!
I then cut a new back out of some 1/4" hardboard and sprayed it lightly with some black spray paint.
And Its done...
And now its done...
It sounds great, though the volume is a little low.
At a later time (when i know how to do it) I would like to add an amplifier with volume control and on/off switch. as well as possibly light up the inside of the tuner window...
Ahhh, well... another time I guess...
Thanks for looking!
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sunshiine
I love the look of the really old school radios.
This site is great!
I cannot believe it! I use this thing every day at my kitchen table every morning with my coffee and ipad! Im so thankfull that this project has done so well in these contests!
And i so want that camera! Well, heres hoping!
Thanks again poof!
I did something very similar, but took the easy way out with my Decopunk iPod rig - I bought a retro radio with a built in cassette adapter;-)
Now you just need to dress up the iPod... Might I suggest a Steampunk iPod stand or a Steampunk iPod case?;-)
Oh, and 5 stars!
I just noticed I made finalist in the woodcare contest! Yay!
I really love this project and good luck to you!!!!!
Maybe i got lucky with it being in good condition...
1) Pick up an iPod dock accessory and mount it flush with the top. This would solve your amplification problem and allow you to charge your iPod. Unfortunately, they run about $60, but that is still cheaper than an iHome.
2) Rip a clock mechanism from an old clock and make that tuner a timepiece!
These are things I looked into prior to finishing this instructable, but I found myself just simply out of my element... I don't know how to go about using the items I already have. I also have another old clock radio ready to be taken apart and use those ties as well, but I just don't know where to begin....
Thanks for looking...
This radio was my wife's grandfathers. It no longer functioned. Normaly I would never remove the old finish from antique piece like this... Nor would I hack up the insides like I did here. But this piece is now an heirloom to her...
Look to flea markets and estate sales...
He found his at a swap meet in the middle of Hollywood. So I guess you can get them at flea markets. May need to replace the tubes and check the wiring if you get one.
The capacitors of the 30s were made of wax and cardboard, not so good after 70 years. This is why you'll get old radios that have insanely loud "humming" sounds coming from them.
The resistors usually go bad as well and their resistance goes through the roof. This is why you'll often see old radios for sale with the owner saying "it turns on, but the sound is very faint." You just have a bad resistor.
These old radios will work just fine if you replace about $5 worth of parts on them, and then spend a lot of time soldering them into place. They're cool pieces to have around and to show off.