1936 Zenith 8S154 Tube Radio Restoration

Forgive me for my messy workspace. Restoration of a 1936 Zenith 8S154 Radio. Cabinet still needs some small detail work post-video, but I’m happy with this restoration. It plays beautifully. I can’t get enough of the black dial Zeniths. The place where I got the volume pot replacement was OldRadioParts.net by Mark Oppat. He really saved me during this process.

[@scooman]

This brings back memories. Radio, then the tv. Then my mother wanted a radio/phonograph combo, the radio had to go. Then the HiFi stereo, new tv, but kept the counter top radio in the kitchen. I remember coming home for a visit and they had a color tv!

[@maryrafuse3851]

I'm sending admiration for your wonderful restoration from Nova Scotia, Canada. Heartfelt congratulations for saving another home companion from the 1930's. The history of Radio is the history of bringing people together. Radio entertained and informed while also comforting the lonely in the vast wide open spaces of North America. Every radio saved helps us understand, a little better, the world of our grand and great grandparents. Great work Jack!

[@TKELCH]

Jack, thanks for fixing this instead of doing what a few others have done and that is to put a blue tooth mod in it and do nothing to the old electronics!!!

[@brianlastname3808]

Looks good! I love these old radios.

[@ojoaoreis]

Man, this is an absolutely astonishing work! Thank you for giving new life to this beatiful piece of the 30's.

[@televisionforever]

Thank you so much!

[@mikegross6107]

That's my birth year! Wish it was in my possession but too late for that wish to come true! By the way, what is that huge protuberance coming out of the rear of the speaker?

[@kbcoop3249]

That’s crazy how you fine tune those I remember watching the Waltons and always fiddling with that radio ha ha nice work thanks for the videos

[@ChuckKirchner-se6ib]

I was watching another channel's radio restoration, and I happened to glance to the right column. I saw this thumbnail, and said "Hey I've got one of those, let's see what he does, and then I'll copy his moves". Also, I subscribed...

[@anaphylaxis2548]

That's a beautiful radio. You improved it greatly. How cool that it works too!

[@televisionforever]

Thanks! Zenith really put some quality into their work then

[@davidhamm5626]

Mark is an easy guy to work with.Glad to see that you found him !

[@skullheadwater9839]

I started on guitars. For this nice set an output transformer for this you could use a commonly found Fender Champ transformer. What I use for smaller tabletop radios is a 70v line matching transformer, you can hook them up as single ended or push pull and they are cheap, they have multiple primaries and usually 3 secondaries so you can make most arrangements work. They are not the highest quality but work great as an affordable solution to a bad vintage tube radio OT problem. I would like to start rewinding transformers. On the veneer patch I would suggest cutting out a section the full width of that strip using a ruler at the angle of the grain then glue in the plug. It will fit better and all but disappear.

[@angomnaresh9859]

I am very pleased to hear the pure classic sound just coming out from that rare piece. Really a wonderful restoration.

[@Hey_its_Koda]

I love these radios. My grandma had a few in the living room. Felt like home.

[@66doodz]

great job and love the cat!

[@caitlin_everett_123]

So beautiful!!! You've inspired me to take on a project of my own!

[@roscoefoofoo]

Beautiful work!!! Congrats!

[@SquidGames1]

I just found a similar 1938 model from an attic in an old shed. It had been sitting up there for 40 years! The finishing is all ruined but it still barely picks up a station

[@skullheadwater9839]

Love those Zenith aircraft dials. I have a 37' Zenith Stars and Stripes I just finished restoring.

[@doog13r2]

Nice work, looks great too!

[@televisionforever]

Thanks so much!

[@cesarremedios3656]

Excelente trabajo.

[@wmauibill]

Beautiful work

[@alexsviewscope3873]

Wow that is really nice good job 👏

[@LaughingInTiny]

What a stunning piece! I was really interested to see how you fixed it though and I guess this is a channel for people who already know what that looks like 🤣 I just really enjoy watching people who know what they're doing taking things apart and putting things together again. If wood furniture restoration isn't so much your thing it's probably worth connecting with someone who has a channel focusing on that. You could collaborate on content.

[@tranquilitybase7860]

When you turn that radio on in the twilight zone, you will hear only broadcasts from 1936.

[@patrickmorrissey2582]

I’m in the process of restoring one of these similar to this one. Mine is a Philco from 1942 that also has a built in record player that tilts out, fun fun!

[@ctvediting]

Well done!

[@michaelblair5566]

This is great. I subscribe to Mr. Carlson's channel what you are doing is very similar!

[@JazzStrat781]

Absolutely great job! New subscriber here, best to you!

[@wmauibill]

That is a Beautiful model

[@anthonydenn4345]

Great job. I'm guessing that metal looking bezel around the dial is brass. And probably matched the gold lines when it was polished up. It would also match up with the center dial pointer. But that would take the age off of it, so that's more of a personal choice move I suppose.

[@televisionforever]

That’s actually a debate with collectors. Some say they left the factory with a dark finish on the brass which is what it looks like now. Some say they left the factory polished looking gold. I really don’t know. Possibly was shiny. I might polish it. I did with my Zenith 12S265.

[@anthonydenn4345]

@@televisionforever I think it was matched with the yellow strips and lower fabric personally. But I'm no expert, just a passing observation. It will look great either way I suppose. Again nice job with how it looks now 😃

[@soliman15]

Very nice radio. Just one comment, I think the best way to fix the veneer is to replace ~4 inches of that side part with strait edges running parallel with the grain.

[@televisionforever]

I think you're right. It would look a lot better than way

[@DashRiprock513]

Another good one 👍 I still don't know how your thumb bends backwards like that😎✌🎼🎵🎶

[@leechjim8023]

Art decco masterpiece!!!😀😀😀

[@FloridaClay]

Such a beautiful, and sophisticated, radio. Glad to see it get new life. Sad though, that AM in such a wasteland now. Curious as to what you get on shortwave. (Assuming this set has shortwave.)

[@geirendre]

That's a big radio man, wow. For that veneer patch, i guess if you cut along the lines in the wood from the side and into where it meets the middle part (the big section in the center), so you take out a larger peace then it would be easier to hide the patch. If you manage tho get it the same color.

[@televisionforever]

I was actually thinking about doing that and still can in the future. I think I’d need more practice before attempting that

[@ramidaoud308]

Thanks heaps. I just got hold of the exact same radio and will do the same. I might need some advise if possible.

[@ramidaoud308]

Question. The unit my friend gave me which is exactly the same one you have, do you know the output voltage of the main transformer ? In new zealand we use 220 volts so i am thinking to replace the main transformer with 220 input but not sure whats the output and the current. Amps. Also saw that you have replaced all capacitors, i guess its a saftey thing, should i also do the same deapite if they are ok? Anything else you suggest that i replace for saftey reasons? Any chance if you know whete i can find a diagram so i cna get the right conponnenets as some of them are faded? Thanks heaps. Rami

[@a587g]

Nice radio, and nice job. Got lucky finding someone for the volume control, these tapped controls are hard to find. When you do grill cloth, don't use staples. Instead get 3M spray adhesive - works much better. Also, these candohms like to short to chassis and take out the power transformer. Best to replace the whole thing with discrete resistors.

[@televisionforever]

I've used the spray adhesive in the past but this grill cloth was very thin and hard to get displayed correctly. This was more of a temporary fix with not an original design cloth. If I find an exact replacement of the original in the future, I'll use adhesive. I also agree with those candohm resistors. I should replace those with modern 10 watt replacements.

[@a587g]

@@televisionforever this link: www.atwaterkent.info/Images/Zenith%20candohm%20resistors.pdf will give you the exact wattage used for Zenith candohm resistors through 1938. Extremely useful document. I usually only replace them in 1936-38 models - almost every one I've worked on had at least one bad section. But, I've only seen one bad candohm in a 1939 or later Zenith (now that I say that, watch me find one...)

[@televisionforever]

@@a587g Wow thank you for this. I didn't realize each one had a different wattage rating. I thought it was the same across the candohm. Thanks so much!

[@daleburrell6273]

...probably be a good idea to add a FUSE-(!)

[@daleburrell6273]

@@a587g ...speaking for MYSELF- I'm an enthusiast for vintage transistor radios, not vacuum tube radios.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

Hi Jack : please which is better for elmenaiting the interferences in the antique radios : - the ferrite antenna or the - xphase qrm eliminator Thanks

[@annelisepereira5721]

beautiful zenith radio thank you brazil

[@OldPopPop2u]

Did dial assembly is supposed to have a clutch feature where you push in to move the dial a greater distance.

[@vault_boys]

I like how the radio has gospel

[@der.kdf.brother]

That is the most beautiful Art Deco radio I have ever seen, even before restoration. Disappointed though you didn't do all the work yourself and got an expert involved @15:27 that you didn't even credit.

[@wmauibill]

That is a beautiful dial. I have just picked up a Sparton model and want to get it restored .Where are you located ?

[@JessicaGarcia-wl3im]

My Dad has old cabinets he was planning to redo for his children. I would love to refurbish one and bring it home but I have no ideas where to start. Any suggestions?

[@LEPPisLIFE]

I was hoping to pick your brain. Im starting from ground zero knowing nothing about these old tube radios. I inherited a collection from my grandmother who was an antique dealer and I’m very committed to restoring them to their natural state. Where does one begin? Should I know basic electrical work before anything? Where can I learn about all the parts of these radios and schematics? TIA

[@televisionforever]

I would watch Mr. Carlson's Lab on KZbin. He has a lot of great beginner electronics videos that explain the basics to complete tube radio restorations. Overall, you'll need to learn about how electricity works, difference between AC and DC current, vacuum tubes, capacitors/resistors, how to solder, and safety procedures. Starting on an All American 5 radio would be a good starting place for a beginning since the circuits are pretty simple compared to other bigger tube sets. The first radio I restored was an RCA X551 which was only 5 tubes. It will help you understand how a radio works before you move onto bigger sets that get more complex.

[@KennyJoe01]

Hi, did you sand it at all or did you just use the wood bleach?

[@sergiocoelho3109]

Maravilha!

[@gottatry9057]

I have the same radio, I absolutely love it. But I just broke the dial belt. Could you tell me where you got yours? I’ve searched the internet but can’t find the right one. Thank you

[@BesharALAzzawi]

The cat maaaan the cat big love

[@ConnerWithAnE_]

So do these radios only have AM tuning or do they have AM and FM?

[@televisionforever]

Some radios from the 40s had FM and newer but sets from the 30s for consumers focused on AM and shortwave

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

Hi eng. Jack : Is it possible to disassemble the entire antique radios machine ( utterly dismentaling ) to make a complete cleaning and repairing , and then assemble it again, is that possible !

[@televisionforever]

Yes, some radio restorers remove even the tube sockets to restore the chassis. Back in the 60s, Heathkit offered tube equipment that the customer would solder together themselves. It's a strange concept now but it was common at that time.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@televisionforever hi Jack : I know this work needs time, patience, calmness, cleverness and high cost . but it represents for the true audio / antique radiophils a long term investment for their hoby . so some more money is not problem for such valuable antiques. Thanks 👍

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@televisionforever the clean valuable things are not expensive 🙂

[@ConnerWithAnE_]

Lmao thats some crazy station you were on at 9:00 All of it really is crazy. Insane how much christian and conservative radio the US seems to have

[@jamesstrength5405]

Hey jack, I'm looking for a dial face and glass for this radio. Could you point me in the right direction?

[@televisionforever]

I'd keep a lookout on eBay or Facebook Marketplace for a junk set you can use for parts

[@fabritziobenitezorozco5574]

👌👍❤📻

[@jayo3865]

I have a 1930s console radio same as the one you have now on KZbin?

[@colincampbell7027]

For woodworking I'd check out a YT channel called Thomas Johnson antique furniture restoration. I've learned much from him. Also get some furniture markers to help blend in that veneer repair. Maybe some wood putty too. Good luck with the resto! Just discovered your channel. Will be watching more. Thanks for sharing.

[@daleburrell6273]

9:15...aw, you've got KITTY-(!)

[@ronaldzamora7303]

Can you tell me where you grill cloth

[@televisionforever]

I got this grill cloth repro from eBay. I’ve also ordered from radiogrillecloth (dot) com.

[@DjMakinetor]

18:41 ! ! ! ! ! !

[@adilsonqueiroz8391]

Isnt that the Walton"s radio?

[@daleburrell6273]

...POSSIBLY.

[@greggmitchell4173]

No, it was a Zenith but a smaller model.

[@karlreinke9653]

Radio is very dusty.