#250

In todays video we look at a Zenith 6-D-219 two band radio from 1930's.
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[@wendelljackson1488]

This is the first time I’ve seen anyone make a speaker cone from scratch. I am very impressed as well as encouraged to try to fix one of my old damaged speakers. Thanks.

[@TheRadioShop]

It is not that hard, you can use many materials also. It is a bit forgiving on what you make it from. Thanks for watching

[@coptertim]

Our 6 year old grandson and I love your restoration videos. He takes over my bench (NO AC of course) and we fix transistor sets, a hobby he will enjoy all his life. Keep them coming, I know one young man inspired by them.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the comment Tim. Great to hear your grandson likes the hobby. We have to try and keep it going when we are gone!

[@coptertim]

@@TheRadioShop When I was about 12, (1967) I found an old Zenith floor model at a Goodwill store. I paid $2.50, fixed it at a tube tester and sold it for $15. I bought and sold a dozen. I was livin' large!! This started a life long love of the hobby. I miss the old shortwave stations but I still have great fun and I'm trying to pass it down to our grandson. Videos like yours are a great source of info and hands on "How to". We're starting a spring clip am/fm kit now. Lots of fun when it starts making noise!!! Thanks again for your work.

[@bookerol]

Thanks Buddy. I really enjoyed that. I still have a couple old radios from my Mom, that were my Grandfathers. These videos give me the confidence to get busy with restoring those for Mom.

[@nor4277]

Sorry for your video loss Buddy , we all have bad weeks .but if anyone can save a radio it's you. I am sure we all would have loved to see your video and look forward to your next one thanks for shareing.

[@mikeadams3977]

I’d love to see the entire restoration start to finish, Buddy.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Mike

[@WaterWhiteTuber]

I think we all felt and shared your pain with that lost video. You make great videos. It's a lost treasure for all of us. That back cover is a tough call. When I am able, I leave it alone and stop it from getting worse. Next option, add a support backer to it and maybe glue it down. Maybe you can iron it down, add some latex glue (or what holds) then set weights on it for a few days. As if you were making paper. Be careful, it may swell. Third option, splice another section of donor board on. Best option, might be to find a replacement.

[@JerryEricsson]

Cool rebuild of the speaker. I always figured, once the cone is trashed, the speaker is ready for the dumpgrounds! Who knew? Thanks a million for the wonderful entertainment and instructional videos. I always figure that if you don't learn at least one new thing every day, that day is wasted.

[@TheRadioShop]

If it was modern, in the trash it goes. But hard finding vintage replacements like these. So we learn to rebuild. Thanks for stopping by

[@scottlee1211]

Nice repair thus far! I enjoy your repairs especially these older restorations, I would like to watch you work through it!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Scott

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

If you restore that radio and upload a video I'll watch it. Love seeing these old radios coming back to life. Nice job on that speaker cone 👍🏼👍🏼

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Joe

[@bblod4896]

Would like to see the restoration of these old radios. In the early 80's, I worked with guy who specialized in re-coning speakers, HOWEVER, unlike your cone rebuild, the shop ordered the cones as kits which included the cone, spider and voice coil already in place. As I recall, he would place paper shims between the voice coil and the magnet and somehow glue the spider and suspension to the speaker frame. This was a skill I was not interested in learning. If there were any error, the voice coil would scrape against the magnet and the job would have to be redone. You are truly a master of restoration. Thanks Buddy.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Mr B. The prices for re-cone kits are crazy these days. For a small speaker like this it is fun making your own. Thanks for sharing that story

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Buddy, hate the video didn’t go as planned. I’ve had those days myself. Love that Zenith and all Zeniths from that period. Just now watching your loudspeaker findings and repairs; very creative solution on the short voice coil. Great to hear and see the radio playing again. Hope the remaining repairs go smoothly. Again, excellent job on the loudspeaker repairs. The cabinet will be stunning too. All the best. Don

[@TheRadioShop]

Always a pleasure to see you stop in Don. The voice coil was in such good shape I did not want to risk damaging it so added the extension. Now to get it cleaned up and all the wax caps replaced, order some grill cloth and get back busy with it. Thanks again Don, have a great day

[@alpcns]

Amazing work with that old speaker. Buddy, you have the patience of a Saint and the delicacy of a surgeon - very impressive. I'd love to see those old beasts come back to life.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the very kind works my friend

[@hestheMaster]

Nice RCA 53-X-3 radio .Worth to show cabinet repairs. The Zenith has it's own set of problems. Logical set of repairs, one step at a time, and it works even with those old "waxers" still inside. Amazing U.S. made stuff back then. Like what you have presented in this video so far Buddy . Cheers ,Steve.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Steve. I picked up three radios when I got this one. The other was a westernhouse H-350T7 and did the repair on Patreon.

[@willardbelinowicz7786]

I started watching your videos when I purchased my first Hallicrafters radio, your video helped me a great deal with that project especially the fuse and chassis issue. Two yeses, one to ask you to do a follow up video on the the completion of the Zenith and I would like to see what ever you have on trouble shooting the RCA Victor radio. Thanks for your work.

[@TheRadioShop]

Comments like these are always great to hear. Thanks

[@lt32253]

would love to see all of the restorations

[@mobicus1]

That was a great save on the speaker! Thanks for showing that.

[@lylewatts6370]

Now there's a radio I have never seen before. They don't make them like that any more. Something we can work on without use of a microscope. Great job Buddy and a must see when it's complete. Not many AM broadcast stations in my area anymore. People seem to like FM stations with it's HF quality. Please keep up the rebuilds old radios.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Lyle. Yes same here, not many around. But late night and early morning you can here quite a bit.

[@PapasDino]

All these project radios will I'm sure turn out to be real nice rigs once you've finished the rehab work! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheRadioShop]

Yep, fun part is restoring them. I used to just give them away but think I will start collecting now. Thanks for stopping in Dino.

[@walk-tall-hikes]

A Zenith is always a good restore project! Great job on the speaker, I have one I need to try that on!

[@paulpagenkopp5000]

Yes please do a restoration. Your the best

[@injoelsgarage3934]

Buddy, your timing couldn't have been better. I'm restoring a gilfillan 56b, this is going to help me a lot as I have never restored an old AM radio before in my life. Thank you very much for your tips and tricks. I'm looking forward to the upcoming videos. I'm sorry you lost the footage have a good troubleshooting restoration, it just turns my stomach because it's happened to me before yeah, I don't buy the cheap cards anymore. Thank you very much buddy! And we'll watch the upcoming videos for sure. Your friend always, Joel

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Joel, I do hope you get something helpful from this series. Both the card and holder were made by scandisk. Just guessing they are old now.

[@davidportch8837]

sorry about the bad connection on the sd card Buddy... but thanks for the videos as awlays....much appreciated...

[@paulbennell3313]

Pretty remarkable for an 83 year old radio! Looks a very promising project. Such a fiddly job re-coning that speaker! Well worth it though, energised 5" speakers don't exactly grow on trees these days. Looking forward to seeing the next part of this.

[@gamlemann53]

I agree with Mike Adams! Let us see it all!

[@gamlemann53]

@belly tripper No problem

[@sonnylou8087]

I would like to see as much as you can do on old radio restorations, I really enjoy your videos, and thank you for sharing.👍

[@TheRadioShop]

Appreciate the comment Tommy.

[@killercloud7019]

Buddy the speaker rebuild was very interesting. Very enjoyable video on a old classic radio.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, it was fun

[@fibberscloset498]

I look forward to the next video on this Zenith restore!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Beautiful thing.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Yes sometimes we do have technical problems beyond our control namely bad adapters for sd cards has happened to me before. Great job repairing or I should say rebuilding the cone on that speaker. I use coffee filters and fabric glue and it always works for me.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks, Yes the coffee filters is my go to for repairing speaker cones. Even made replacement cones for small speakers with it.

[@waynethompson8416]

A suggestion for fixing the back on the first radio. Use a thin piece of Aluminum sheet, put it under the back and trace out the openings and the outer surface of the back on the sheet. Then cut out to fit and cut the slots in the aluminum. Then glue the sheet to the back. I really wish you would put the caps in the tube. You could use any kind of wire on a temporary basis, and then use the cloth-covered type to replace it later.

[@TheRadioShop]

Great suggestion on the rear panel. I do intend to put the mains capacitors in the tube before we are done. Thanks

[@bertconvey3881]

Very nice it shows you know how so teaching your a natural.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for that kind comment

[@bertconvey3881]

@@TheRadioShop Your most welcome I have question if you don;t mind answering . I have a 1936 Packard model 46 replacing all the caps using volt ratings 630 and 450. One of the wax cap calls for a .0005 mf all I have around that low is a .001

[@TheRadioShop]

@@bertconvey3881 It will depend on the circuit it is in. If it is just a bypass cap it should be fine.

[@bmh67wa]

I would love to see you finish restoring both of these radios.

[@michaeloakley5800]

Nice enjoy your work. Always learn something. Keep up the great repairs you’ve amazing.

[@lloydspivey8296]

Excellent video, well done. Always learn something from your work. Thanks.

[@kd6tas]

Nice work on the speaker.

[@rogerhowell9474]

Good tip on heating the capacitors wax coating to see values.

[@TheRadioShop]

Also can be heated to remove the innards so it can be restuffed to keep that original look. Thanks

[@rewalton46]

The model number of the Zenith indicates it is from the 1938 model year, but was probably made in '37. What a nice little radio, and your speaker repair was great! I'd love to see the full restoration on both radios, especially the cabinet restoration on the RCA.

[@TheRadioShop]

You are correct about 1938, I did see something that indicated 1937. Thanks for watching.

[@hectorpascal]

The loudspeaker re-coning work was truly inspired engineering! I just wondered if the paper you used was maybe a bit stiffer or thicker than the original, and colors the sound? But there's no doubting that it works well enough.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Hector, it is a bit thicker than the original. But should not change the sound much. These are low power sets and the thicker material will be around for a long time.

[@jdmccorful]

Truly a time machine that Zenith. Think of the History that may have come across it. It needs to have an extended life. Keep going with respect. Thanks Bud, always enjoy your work.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you John. I bet many hours have been spent with folks listening to this set.

[@vicmabus1532]

Never saw anyone make a speaker from scratch before!

[@TheRadioShop]

Always a first for everything :)

[@cuban9splat]

Buddy, you are amazing. Repairing that old speaker was outstanding. Yes, the audio wasn't very strong but it worked good enough. I wonder if you can get a replacement cone for a similar size speaker? It's a shame about the lost video. That has to be frustrating. I'll bet a few choice words were said LOL. Thanks for sharing it with us Buddy. 73 de K7RMJ Frank

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Frank. Yep you can get a replacement cone. But they look new. The fabricated one looks older and fits the theme better, at least to me. Yes that was very frustrating.

[@dalecostich8794]

your mind and thinking is mellow (attenuated squelch) loved the vid

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Hi Buddy. Great job on the speaker. I would love to see a full restoration on the Round Blackface Zenith. I have always had a soft spot for them. But no mater what you upload I will watch. 73 Joe

[@vihuelamig]

Those zenith dials look great. Pity we don't get them this side of the pond. Restored that will make for a very nice looking radio.

[@TheRadioShop]

I think it will be a keeper. Thanks for watching

[@TheRadioShop]

@@vihuelamig Saw one of these go for 1500 bucks on a antique site not long ago.

[@vihuelamig]

@@TheRadioShop Hmmm! That's a lot when most old radios only fetch a tiny amount. I can certainly see the attraction in that Zenith. At least it makes them worth having repaired or even a full restoration job. Last radio I did cost me more than what the radio is worth when restored, most of them do. BTW great speaker repair. I've only ever seen repairs to tears before, not a complete replacement made from scratch. .

[@TheRadioShop]

@@vihuelamig Agreed. Not sure why it went for that much unless someone bid it up. I do not see it. I only paid 15 bucks for this one. I learned to repair speakers many years ago. Have to save the vintage ones.

[@hughmc5419]

Watching your fix /repair, your explaning your camera woes. I'm on a LG phone Android ; well giving you a thumbs up & your count is at 226 views positive , it registers as added to liked videos, [ count not going up ?] so somthings up with that. When I'm on my HP laptop the count, will increment up. So I thought I would mention that. I have an RCA, very similar cabinet, mine also has shortwave 25m & 31m bands, it needs a recap. Ok, going back to watching your video.Hugh..Chicago metro .

[@kareno8634]

Your work on Speaker was Very Interesting! Don't get the Misting paper part 'to shrink' [?], but . . . Love all older equipment - Is it the Work put into them, Era or Look? It's All 3. Noting use of Cloth Cord made me Smile. *VERY Essential. Thanks!*

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for your comment. The new speaker cone is not quite as tight as it should be, When you mist it with water then heat it, it shrinks and get tighter. Any wrinkles are removed. Learned this during my model RC airplane builds when using paper to cover them. A lot cheaper than monocoat.

[@skipwerk2251]

RCA. A zenith's usually pay upwards of 75 dollars. Lol. I would like to see both units restored. I am really impressed about reconning the speaker. Anyway I will be watching your videos. Skip Werk

[@GeorgeWMays]

Hey, I would like to see what you can do with the RCA. And I sure like the Zenith. Thanks as always. It is much appreciated.

[@TheRadioShop]

Sure thing!

[@domnick8806]

thank you for taking the time to make the video,I am inspired to learn, you sure have a lot to offer,GOD BLESS, 73'S KJ4VXK

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed that.

[@jefffoster3557]

New to your chamnel and love your method and skill. Will be interesting to see your choice of speaker cloth with this and what choices are out there for material. Great work.

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

OK, Buddy, you want feedback. Well... That toaster, I mean Ballast tube, usually goes bad. You were lucky. Let's assume it was bad at arrival. It sure would be interesting to see you drop the line voltage by some other means. Power resistors, using capacitor, diode{s}, or other methods. Without that asbestos, I'd be worried about using the ballast tube and the potential fire hazard. Just a thought to ponder... Enjoyed the video! Sorry about the camera malfunction. Frustrating. BTW; Nice home speaker re-cone. I've never seen a do it yourself job like that before. Hope it sounds good in the end. Take care, Tom

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Tom. Yes those ballast get pretty hot. And I do have a replacement for that asbestos sheet. Will sow that in a future video. Regulating the AC down would make for a interesting video. Thanks for that feedback.

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

I'll +1 for a full restoration! Greta job on the speaker repair, that should make Don @ RestoreOldRadios smile...he just did the same thing! Not sure if you sub to David Tipton, his restoration work is nothing but top notch...like yours, Don & Mr Carlson. 73's OM. ~Jack, VEG

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Jack. Yes Don is the master when it comes to these old radios. I just happen to watch him repair one last week. He does pop in here from time to time.

[@TheRadioShop]

BTW, Thanks for the tip On David. I used to be subscribed to his channel but for some reason I am no longer sub'd

[@richardbrobeck2384]

nice

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

P.S., I've got another one for ya. In my opinion, that speaker looks pretty 👍 good. It is also field coil. All ya need is speaker re-coning glue. This impregnates, and preserves the paper speaker fibers from further deterioration. Field coil 🔊 speakers are probably pretty hard to find. A new speaker can be put in, but they're permanent magnet, and may 👎 not be period-correct to the 📻 radio. These speakers are Chinese, and the dimensions of them may 👎 not be right, or the screw holes may be in the wrong places. Just beware on shipping charges, which are hidden into the product price. For example, $25.00 🔊 speaker, $55.00 shipping. It will simply show as $80.00, and the shipping will appear to be free, but it's not. A lot of sites do this, often leaving you with "Buyer pays return shipping". These REALLY get me, for things as simple as clothing. ALWAYS make sure if you need to return something, that it says "Free. Returns". Your friend Jeff.

[@old64goat]

I would like to see the restorations

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Bill

[@Budro4764]

What's your opinion on a GW Instek GOS-6103 Analog Oscilloscope 100 MHz ?? I have a friend in Texas that owns a quilt shop and she has one for 30 dollars she picked it up in an estate sale and it has new probes in the new packaging , tTIA for any comments

[@petemiksich5760]

Of course it works. It's a Zenith.

[@RadioFixer]

Great job and thank you for making these videos 👏

[@lilhoss1]

Is the dust cap you used aftermarket? Or did you construct it? If you constructed it, do you have any tips on getting it concaved?

[@randelstuckey5494]

Buddy like some famous authour said at one time Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men sometimes go awry. I would like to ask if my name was chosen for the solder sucker that you used when you restored the Heathkit signal tracer. I know that yu asked me to let you know how it worked for me, but can't do so since I haven't received one to use. It is interesting to see the restoration of the old radios like you have there and it would also be interesting to se the restoration of the case.

[@TheRadioShop]

Randy, The drawing has not happened yet. And if I said that it was meant as "If you win one"

[@bblod4896]

IT"S ALIVE!

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

I have been told that jelly beans componants are already available, concerning the tubes it can be replaced with the modern amplifiers tubes - unfortunately Chinese products - as the only alternative products, no problem, thanks for the valuable information !

[@jameshochstetler6093]

I'm restoring an old Sparton Tube radio circa 1946 and ran across something on the schematic that I have never seen before. The last resistor listed says R18 2700 ohms 5. w. w. w.. All the other resistors show the ohm value and watt value as an example R4 100 ohms .5w etc. My question is what does it mean when there are 3 "w" s like that? I went ahead and replaced the R18 with a 2700 ohm 5 watt resistor. The radio works and I have the proper voltages but the resistor is getting extremely hot. Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

[@hughmc5419]

That Zenith is a beast...hey Buddy, what cap checker would you recommend, would like to see your testing of these , or do you just change them out.

[@TheRadioShop]

Hugh. About anything that would read the leakage. But when I do check them I use the heathkit IT-28. If the unit belongs to myself I just remove and replace. But on some stuff they want to keep as many original parts so I do take the time to test them.

[@zundfolge1432]

wow how many speakers have you reconed yourself? Ive been wanting to try this for years!!!

[@TheRadioShop]

Many!. I have even built a speaker from scratch years ago.

[@antoniogutierrezbarba6360]

Presente: Cordial Saludo; Desde Zapopan, Jalisco, Mx.

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

You can completely re-cone the speaker with a new one, saving the original speaker frame. This way, you won't have to go Chinese on the speaker, or permanent magnet. Your friend, Jeff.

[@TheDrunkenMug]

Good video, also; Wow what a nicely done speaker restoration /build ! Consider me a subscriber 😀👍 Best regards from Holland

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks and welcome to the channel.

[@gerryroberts662]

I would love to do this as gettong things repaired , ppl don't want to do anymore >?? I love making sppeakers from scratch also... Im working on a bell RC 36 bell record o fone..First thing recondition the motor.. I have no schematic.. I possibly will start from scratch,,

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

That's a very nice 📻 radio. I really 👍 like the big speaker, and dial cord pulley. It looks 👍 like a mini reel-to-reel tape deck with a dial scale and dial pointer on top. I am a fan of ALL these old, American-built radios. 👎 No Chinese radios of today compare. They're usually junk. A recap, and re-tube job is usually what these old 📻 radios will need. I don't even 👀 see a dial light on this 📻 radio. I'm pretty sure it has one, it's simply burned-out. Nice metal chassis, Bakelite case, and glass dial face. I often comment David Tipton, which is a 📻 radio restorer on KZbin. A company in 🇦🇺 Australia makes these dial glasses, if one you come across is damaged or 💔 broken. Numbers can be re-painted back on, too. 👎 Not sure on shipping charges, but I'm pretty sure it's reasonable. Hope this helps for future 📻 radio restorations, if any you come across, have a damaged, or 💔 broken dial glass. Your friend, Jeff.

[@michaelsawyer443]

How close are you to Aiken, SC? (if you don't mind telling)

[@TheRadioShop]

A tad over 300 miles I think

[@michaelsawyer443]

@@TheRadioShop I thought so! Shame you are not closer, I would love to have you restore my 1932 Atwater Kent, model 627. I'm just too leery to reach my hand into a live set

[@skipwerk2251]

Sir I have an RCA 56X5 that looks just like this one. Mine also has short wave. The cabinee RCA t I identicle. Mine I repaired and got working. When I bought it at a ham fest the 6sk7tube was missing. I am a fish for old zenith's. I paid 5. Dollars for th

[@kd6tas]

Resistance of zero is not an open. Infinite resistance is an open.

[@dang8546]

Long live am

[@rickgunther7328]

Ihave 1936 zenith 6s52ch i am restoring same face. Ricks radio shop

[@TheRadioShop]

Hi Rick, I love the face on these.

[@tubeDude48]

MAN! Turn it *DOWN!* Yes, refurbish both radio's.

[@TheRadioShop]

Sorry about that. If I do not keep an eye on the VU meter it gets too loud. One of the problems of being legally deaf.

[@tubeDude48]

@@TheRadioShop - Understand

[@reneadebdebramirez7890]

I have a tun funk antique radio From Germany need restoration

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

Hi, all the shopping electronic websites and companies like amazon and eBay are making floods of adv.,s for the vintage retro radio and audio sets around the clock , it's OK, no problem. but what about the tubes spare parts, are those spare parts still produced till now or located only in the old stores in the traditional old electrical markets, many of the technicians say no its no more available, so what to do if some body want to to buy a vintage old set , every thing in the world needs maintenance even us. because without spare parts, it means directly that all thses websites are cheating and make scums on the customers. So, as an expert what do you think frankly 🤔

[@TheRadioShop]

Most of the tubes are still produced today. If not you can find replacements but at a higher price than normal. This is when you ask yourself if the radio is worth it or not. As far as jelly bean components such as capacitors, resistors , and diodes there is no problem. Transformers, IF coils, coils can be rewound if you are up for the task. Again, it is up to you on how much time and money you want to invest in a restoration.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

@@TheRadioShop I think any coil should be new, but what about the speakers are they repairable or better replaced !

[@tpcdude]

wow only SW station comes in is brother stair. fix it quick or go to hell.....

[@TheRadioShop]

Already done LOL.

[@TV-js5zg]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJyQYqmVf7Nsjrc 1945년도 라디오 입니다..