Pioneer SX 650 Part 2 - Finishing the Restoration (Ep. 32)

In this part I tackle the cosmetics
Sorry for the butchered audio track, this vid was flagged, BigBrother is watching

[@SDsailor7]

That Pioneer had a rough life. Its great that you brought it back to life

[@MrKipper9904]

I strip off the old plastic and apply a wood veneer. Much easier

[@martyjewell5683]

Bought my SX-650 at Crazy Eddie's in NYC in 1977. Probably a best seller in that Pioneer line. Rated at only 35wpc it seemed much more robust. So much to like with this unit; Large tuning meters, smooth flywheel tuning, mic and aux inputs, a moderately effective high filter and two tape loops with one way dubbing. Loved the positive sound of the toggle switches and easy access back panel. The FM tuner was above average too. Sold mine in 1979 as I wanted a bit more power and bidirectional dubbing. Used this SX-650 to power my Ohm Acoustics model L's and EPI-100's. It provided enough output to impress, if not annoy the neighbors. A swell restoration job, indeed.

[@bewilderment9268]

I sold both my SX-650 and my SX-880 in April. The guy was happy to pay the $625 for both. I was happy to hear he would restore both and "lend" them to family members. Though the 880 was in near perfect condition already. Only some of the "wood" looking plastic sticker was beginning to peal up. As soon as he pulled off l had sellers remorse as l had purchased the 880 new in my youth.

[@multimood]

Beautiful job, looks great. Now make one for my SX-1250

[@ccrm10]

It looks beautiful. You have now given me the courage to do a new case for my SX-650. Thank you!

[@TrevorsBench]

Awesome. I'd love to see the finished case, i'll bet it will look good!

[@therafman4150]

Wow, very well done. I love vintage electronics and I learned from this vid. I have a Sherwood S-9180CP and I have it hooked up to my vintage cassette and disc player and couldn't be happier. Thanks for the video.

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks for watching. Glad to hear you're happy using your vintage gear. Nothing made today can replace this old stuff

[@johncunningham5435]

Excellent work Trevor!

[@adrianb.351]

I just bought an SX 680 for a very good price and thought I am a little crazy to think that this can be done... Nice job man! I will do it too!

[@Bill-Rocker]

Wow...I learned a lot from this video, thanks. I learned good music is a must for quality craftsmanship. I learned There are still people that do things right. I learned that if you find one of these radios not needing repair it's easy worth a few hundred more !

[@martyjewell5683]

Nice finish, well done.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

Great job. The case looks easy to do, but hard to get correct. You did excellent work. I could never have done that. Well done.

[@SteveMasonCanada]

I had a 650 as a teenager. I'm shocked and disappointed that it wasn't real wood. Sure loved it though. Loved the snap of the switches, and the nice clean output. Edit to add: Wow, nice restore on the cabinet. I'm an average electronics tech, a pretty good computer guy, and an Albertan. But I couldn't cut a 2x4 accurately to save my life. Nice job!

[@williamcobb6322]

Great work! Thanks for sharing and saving a great vintage stero receiver.

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks, and thanks for watching, Cheers

[@SDsailor7]

A lot of work but it was worth it in the end. It came out beautiful! Great job!

[@gordonriley4416]

Thank you for this video!!!! This is exactly what I'm going to try to do myself, so this is so helpful. Thank you!!!

[@TrevorsBench]

A lot of these old pioneer receivers are getting shabby looking with the vinyl wraps that are peeling & bubbling. Glad to hear you're going to save another one!!

[@geobrown9413]

Really nice job, I watched it all. Nice touch adding that temporary bottom brace. The thicker sides look OK too. The only thing I'd do differently......the finish, satin polyurethane instead.

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks. It was one of those things where anything would look better than what was there before. I liked the high gloss but satin finish would look really good too

[@mtracy7055]

Hello Geo, Why sat polyurethane instead of crystal clear lacquer(gloss)? Do you know what he used in the first application used that was applied with a rag?

[@geobrown9413]

@@mtracy7055 First application was Amer. Walnut stain (40:39) and was wiped off with a rag......could also be applied by rag initially. My preference is a satin finish for furniture. High gloss is more suitable for floors etc.

[@tinagladu3744]

Beautiful job trevor

[@TrevorsBench]

Merci

[@nickwoythaler4861]

beautiful build

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks

[@MrSFSTUDIOS]

Nicer than the plywood and particle-board laminate it has originally. Never cared for the original woodgrain contact-paper.

[@christopherguido9380]

well done

[@spireprintingpackaging2093]

Lower saw blade to just above wood height, much safer!

[@mdzacharias]

Too late now but the distortion you were concerned with near the end of part one was from the 45 year old speaker relay tarnished or pitted contacts. Classic problem. Turning up the volume clears it temporarily but it does recur.

[@TrevorsBench]

Not too late. I did go back in and cleaned the relay contacts a second time. It now behaves and sounds great. 45 year old contacts need aggressive cleaning, lesson learnt

[@rayislooking2]

Looks great better than factory. Made with natural wood and will last a long time. Now it can take a bump or two with an easy fix. I have seen videos that use a heat gun to get rid of the bubbles. I don't know if it would work in this case. But maybe worth checking out the videos for future projects. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks for your comments and watching, cheers

[@SteveMasonCanada]

Careful.. "better than factory" is copyright Northridge Fix. :)

[@karimdailyjazz]

Very good job nice

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks

[@saddle1940]

Nice. I would have considered just moving the lower brace up to support the top sheet (if there was room inside) as the wood seemed to bow easily during clamping and fitting.

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind next time

[@drod519]

I really enjoyed this restoration project. Would you consider doing a work shop tour of the test equipment you use and possibly go over the essential test equipment for receiver repairs?

[@TrevorsBench]

Good idea Rod, Maybe later in the year when I'm not so busy. Thanks!

[@drod519]

@@TrevorsBench thank you!

[@user-zb4yf5yd4i]

Good job , great job . I, m gone mame mine with vinyl rap , lèse trouble .

[@tomaswiak3625]

A lot of good carpenting job ruined by the top coat laquer. I would just saturate it with oil. Good work though.

[@msmith5969]

Zeppelin, "In the Light"

[@thebuckyreal]

Are wooden end caps bolted on with a standard size bolt? I can't find that info anywhere... I have Denon stuff

[@ChasingTone666]

Ha ha ha You Tube cutting out background music when no tools being used.

[@mtracy7055]

what is the stain your first applying?

[@mtracy7055]

Looks like you know a lot about wood. Did you consider removing the old veneer and installing new veneer?

[@rogatory1965]

It's not veneer it's vinyl stick on.

[@jpreza]

Would you be able to post the measurements of the sides? I'm trying to follow your video but I'm unsure of the thickness of the original oakwood you started with as well as the cuts you made to thin out the sides? Thanks!!

[@TrevorsBench]

I replicated the original top. The side measures 275mm x 140mm. The thickness of the oak I used was 19mm and trimmed down to 14mm where it meets the top panel. The replacement oak was too thick to fit back on the chassis so I took a router and carved out some recesses on the inside so it would fit where the 4 screws go

[@jpreza]

@@TrevorsBench Thanks for your help! I'll get working on it this weekend!

[@jpreza]

Nice job! Have you thought of selling these for those of us who are not gifted in the art of wood shop?

[@TrevorsBench]

Not likely, I don't see my future filled with Carpentry, lol

[@coreyfellows9420]

Wanna repair a pioneer sx424 (no display lights). I'll pay

[@chazmakarowski5429]

I don't like seeing you use the calipers as a fine adjustment tool for the table saw fence...

[@geobrown9413]

Good hammer!

[@CulichorHimself]

not for me

[@mrteroo8953]

Sorry, but the horrible gloss finish and the end grain showing at the top of the two front pieces make it look cheap and nasty.

[@db4858]

LOOKS LIKE AN 8TH GRADERS FIRST SHOP PROJECT, YOU RUINED IT, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ORIGINAL, HACK JOB