Grundig 3028 Cabinet Restore

[Geaney]

Almost there but not quite. I don't know if I'll have more time before the holidays so I've uploaded a clip that shows how far the restore has come. For those following the project, you'll find the clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfydnBGN0J8

When it comes to this stage of a restore for me it's like reading a good book that you don't want to finish. Anyway I'm sure I'll get it completed over the holiday period so it will be in my living room in the New Year!

Cheers,
John

[Yorkie]

Another enthralling instalment John - I suspect it's going to be the penultimate one! Lots of useful tips along the way about how to tackle an ambitious restoration of a classic receiver from the golden age of radio, when these lovely German monsters from Grundig, Telefunken etc, put British radios in the shade. Bling in an era of austerity! Amazing how good the speakers still look, and I think from what you said, your initial fears about the main speaker being defective proved unfounded, and that a new output valve cured the distortion. It will be interesting to see how you eventually resolve the dial problem, though for now, it doesn't look too bad. I get the impression that the dial is longer than A4 size, and I'm not sure if they make waterslide (decal) transfer paper in A3 size, which would in any event, need an A3 ink-jet printer. If so, I guess you'd get at least three dial decals from one sheet. I guess that you'd have to scan in the existing dial, and clean up the damaged parts using a photo-editing software such as 'Photoshop' - quite a challenge. Gary Tempest is the acknowledged expert on such matters who may be able to advise, though AFAIK, he's not on any UK forums, though may be on the US Antique Radio Forum (ARF).

Incidentally, I notice that the Grundig logo looks like a shamrock - is this an indication that these radios were made in Irelenad for the UK market?

Best wishes for the final re-assembly John!

[Mark R]

I can only agree with David's comments, a thorough and enthralling restoration!

cheers Mark

[Geaney]

Hi David,
Yes the dial is very long so whatever solution I go for the dial will need to be done in multiple stages. I found a scan of the German version on RMorg but so far I haven't found a scan of the English one. At least the quality of the existing one is 'OK for now'. I've made a scan of mine in two separate pieces but I need to see an original to make sure I 'Photoshop' it correctly.

If any member out there has a 3028 it would be great if you could take some photos of the area around the control knobs and post them for me.

Thanks for the pointer to the expert on dials. I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get.

There is still some audio distortion but only when the output stage is driven hard. I'll check all the components around the audio output valve to make sure everything is within tolerance. Once I get that done I'll sort out the AM section then it will be close to the finish line.
Cheers, John

[oppiz0]

If you want images for reference only i suppose these will do, I'm on photographer.
This had sellotape on the back the same as yours it still has you can see it's brighter than the rest.





Nev

[Geaney]

Hi Nev,

That's great - many thanks. At least now I can see what it should say on mine. I might even try a repair before going for the whole replacement!

Cheers, John

[Geaney]

I've started to see about getting the AM section working. I found a dry joint one one of the internal antenna down leads. Fixed that and powered it up and we have AM reception! Joy is short lived however - about halfway down the dial all is lost once again. I have a dead short across the tuning condenser. I've tried cleaning it out with WD40, compressed air, etc. and so far no luck. I can't see where the short is happening so I'd love to know if any of the expert team has come up with ways of resolving this - or at least finding out exactly where the short is.
Help!
Cheers, John

[Mark R]

John I seem to recall having the multi meter across the tuning cap on ohms, then rotating it, when the resistance goes that is where the short is.
It could just be the vanes touching o oxidization built up.
Have you tried taking it out an putting it in the dishwasher for a wash?

cheers Mark

[Geaney]

Thanks Mark, oxidation build up was indeed the problem. It was between two stator vanes underneath so hard to get to. I stuck some 600grit wet & dry to a feeler gauge and that did the trick. It's blasting away on AM at the moment. I'll give it a good test tonight - daytime reception here is rubbish.
I feel the finish line is in sight now!
Cheers, John

[Geaney]

Right, last update before Christmas. It's almost there but still a few jobs to get done. Unfortunately the clutch mechanism slips intermittently so I'll need to strip it down and fix that - bummer. I'll leave that until later on. The latest clip is here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KszhmT3g-tc&list=UUhna-ZdjLYCcHPvsnDcBxCg&index=1&feature=plcp

Cheers, John
Happy holidays everyone :beer: