REPAIRING A 1930'S SONORA RADIO

This session we repair an old radio that SEEMED to be an easy job but turned into quite a mess!

[@justinchampion5468]

I am so very glad you're back doing videos. For a long time I worried that you'd left KZbin (or worse had happened). I have to say that while I greatly enjoy the repair videos, I loved your unique 'one-off' tube construction videos more than anything... Never has anyone made me want to run out and buy a turbomolecular or diffusion pump more! I wish you the best and I'm glad you're still showing us how it was done.

[@Giggabitten]

Man, I love to watch you work. It's like watching Bob Ross paint.

[@james5553]

I am now imagining Bob in Ron's attire !

[@Wenlocktvdx]

Almost everything that could go wrong did go wrong. But you beat it down in the end. Another great restore Ron. And love the cats too.

[@greggaieck4119]

WHAT A KOOLL LOOkING 1930 SONORA RADIO RECIVER TEX ME ON MY CELL WHEN YOU HAVE THE TIME

[@greggaieck4119]

I LIKE YOUR CAT WHAT IS YOUR CAT NAME TEX ME ON MY CELL WHEN YOU HAVE THE TIME

[@greggaieck4119]

A 1930S SONORA RADIO RECEIVE SI KOOL. LOOKING

[@stanleygerrick6053]

Nice job Ron. I like the way you work--attack the problems head on and get things done! It's amazing to see your radios suddenly come back to life!

[@scotthaddad563]

You remind me of a cousin who could fix anything from a jet engine to a transistor radio. He was my favorite cousin.

[@krz8888888]

Thank you for the gift of sharing your restorations with us

[@davidportch8837]

Thanks Ron, what a journey of discovery this one was... amazing!

[@louphillips1329]

There are plenty of sites out there with guys fixing radios but this is my favorite. It’s all about the commentary. Thanks Ron, keep them coming.

[@TheFanOrTheMask]

excellent vid, you are a credit to humanity and history for restoring the device

[@randyvance9048]

👍👍👍👍👍 I'm adding extra thumbs up because KZbin will only let me add one. Long live Ron. Always an inspiration. Thank you.

[@G1BJN]

I liked the idea of putting new caps in the old packaging :)

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

Great video Ron, that little radio had SO MUCH wrong and you sorted it all out! Then you needed a matching knob and, "oh I'll just go out and turn one on the lathe!" I wish I had the knowledge and technique you have in just one finger! Great Job Ron!

[@electr0maker436]

I am currently going to school to be an electrical engineer but me and my brothers work on tube type stuff in our spare time. I hope to keep the art alive! you are an inspiration.

[@glasslinger]

When I was in college in the 1960's ALL TECH WAS VACUUM TUBE! One short course on transistors, where the instructor knew next to nothing about the subject. I had to learn all else by doing.

[@electr0maker436]

@@glasslinger That is the best way to learn things.

[@batman387]

Always good to see you & Miss Kitty. Thanks for the great video. :-)

[@hectorpascal]

One day Ron, you REALLY gotta gives us a look at your "spares" store! ( Pretty please?🙂)

[@zundfolge1432]

Been watching glasslingers videos for years as well as restoring radio chassis for my self as a hobby. The internet makes it much easier for help ,parts, radios, ect.

[@DIY-valvular]

That thing would be beyond repair for most of restorers and the Glasslinger put it back to life. It was epic!

[@michaellichter4091]

WoW Einfach so ein Radio gebaut und das spielt sehr schön, es hat richtig Spaß gemacht zu zuschauen. 👍

[@glasstronic]

GS, you are a HOOT, as always. Good to hear that old TRF set play so well after all she's been through.

[@siklane]

Thank you for your videos, unbelievable skill and knowledge. Love the kitty, you should give him an spot for his bed on the work bench. Thanks again

[@brianfletcher9774]

Old school electronics and cats….two of my favorite things. Thanks glasslinger for your awesome videos. Include more cat assistance please 🐈.

[@SirenaWF1]

I also watch to see some of your outfits. I drool over some of the dresses.

[@xnavynuc]

Awesome, Ron! This is one of the most entertaining videos you’ve made since you let the smoke out of the 60’s Admiral TV! I love that you leave everything in for us to learn from and enjoy.

[@TJHPlate]

Wonderful to see this new repairvideo Glasslinger. I have learned quite a lot from your videos. Best regards, Theo Plate, 7591 GC -22, Denekamp, The Netherlands

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Lot of work getting that simple little radio working again but I think it was worth it. I like it.

[@7c3c72602f7054696b]

Your videos are real and very interesting, you inspire me to make my own tubes one day. Much thanks.

[@FluxCondenser]

Good grief, that was fun!

[@linorocha6319]

A Mr Carlson's Lab video and a Glasslinger video in the same day ?! It feels like Christmas 😁

[@Theoobovril]

Well done, Ron, super video again.

[@pipesmokercowboychris]

That's why I watch you. I'm trying to learn how to repair and trying watch all the repair videos I can. I think this what I'm supposed to do.

[@glasslinger]

Good for you! Start with simple modern tube type table radios. They are very easy to learn on. They also are quite cheap, $5 or so at garage sales.

[@bblod4896]

23:12...You are correct sir, the art of old time radio repair is slipping away. Your videos will become a look into the past.

[@wollaminfaetter]

I can't tell you how much i enjoy your videos, and this one was a real winner. I really mean that! The level of skills and passion

[@paulkocyla1343]

I like that you retrofit the caps into the original casing, keeping the look original. BTW Laughed so hard about the freakin coil missing in the speaker 😀

[@markpompi6349]

From the broken coil, to the missing magnet! I am so glued to this video the suspense is amazing. You are amazing!

[@KenPurcell]

Thanks Ron for another great repair video.

[@hestheMaster]

It gets worse. This is actually an Emerson made radio model L-AC-4 from 1932. The most expensive $15 in terms of time, you ever bargained for. Found a circuit diagram that has the field coil marked as 2750 Ohms, Power trans. primary at 10 Ohms and secondary at 610 Ohms with a center tap.

[@SIXSTRING63]

Sure is nice seeing it get done and not an hour of babbling with no results for 40 videos. I think you know who I’m talking about 😝 Funny thing is, the radio Jim is working on know is almost identical to one I did two years ago. I was corresponding with him a bit back then sending him all kinds of books on old tube radios because I felt sorry for his struggles at that time. I was sending him pics of the complete rewire job I did because of the crumbling insulation on those old RCA’s of that era, the cap job, the alignment………. I bet he doesn’t remember or just will do it the way he always does. He needs to change the name of his channel to Jim’s Radio Experiments, not Jim’s Radio Repair. There are a few that watch that think he knows what he’s doing! He could get some rookie killed with his horrible safety habits not to mention his lack of soldering skills, circuit chasing, schematic reading. He bought one of those KSGER soldering stations back then and had no clue how to set it up. I sent him the manual and wrote out directions on how program the different element temperature offsets. I see he’s using his old cheap one again. He runs the iron way too cold and can barely melt 63/37 1/32nd wire.

[@hestheMaster]

@@SIXSTRING63 That guy has some serious problems of one is ,not learning from other peoples mistakes or found info by others as an educational tool. Total opposite of 99% of radio guys on YT

[@SIXSTRING63]

@@hestheMaster Amen to that.

[@polishhotdog933]

Talk about bringing a radio back from the dead, WOW! You know your stuff. Nice cat too..

[@davidstacy8314]

Hi Ron your tech friend Dave here it was amazing watching you work on that radio you do very good work I've done some old ones over the past weekend myself I like your cat hope I can see more videos take care of yourself may God bless and take care of you always your friend Dave

[@blipblip88]

Utterly fascinated by your videos! Jeezus christ you're smart! My goodness, your swift/effortless soldering skills alone make you a superstar in my book! Thank you for being fantastic, wonderful, and taking the time to share your vast experience.

[@markpompi6349]

You are very talented

[@dass1333]

And will just make a matching knob on the lathe. No problem.

[@monteceitomoocher]

Hi from England Ron, great video and nice to see the workshop manager keeping you in line.

[@dass1333]

One of the best things about your videos are the colorful euphemisms and a quick laugh. Oh crummy buttons I just made some interesting content ha ha.....as the magic smoke waifs away. Next how to fill a tube with magic smoke.

[@petercool]

good morning MR GLASSLINGER still watching you from Australia i love watching you repair old radios what you do is amazing well dunn sir

[@slartybardfast1831]

Anyone else in the UK break into a cold sweat at the knot tied in the mains lead?

[@ralphj4012]

And flame thrower for heatshrink, soldering direct to a fuse, antenna wire right next to an anode cap, alignment method. I love this channel.

[@erikdenhouter]

@@ralphj4012 I dare him to find two radio's of the same model, and do a split screen 'radio adventure' in stereo, on the left glasslinger, on the right Paul Carlson, both coming out with a working result from a one hour video.

[@ralphj4012]

Same challenge to Mr. Carlson though I suspect he would choke on his coffee (which looks like tea in his videos) at such a challenge.

[@glasslinger]

@@erikdenhouter Carlson would never complete it in an hour! :)

[@Rama41]

Your videos take me back to the '50s when my Dad taught me how make crystal radios using pencil leads and razor blades, then graduating to two-tube kits and the pleasures of short-wave listening. But your knowledge of the whys and wherefores of radio parts goes far beyond what I learned. What's special about this video was your reaction to poking a hole in the speaker near the end. I can relate to that.

[@maasbuurtspoor2019]

With much joy I’ve watched this video repairing the 1930’s Sonora. It’s stunning to see how much knowledge you must have to gain this. And love the cat for her need of attention.

[@GlavRbIBa]

Always loved your videos, thank you!

[@getcartercarpark.]

I too re-stuff old capacitors in order to keep radios looking as original as possible and keep them working. However, sometimes this just isn't possible with small wax paper capacitors. I have managed to print paper labels with as close to the same font as the original used on the wax paper capacitors and stuck the paper strip around bright yellow axial polypropylene capacitors and then painted the capacitors with shellac lacquer that I have made myself, a quite thick shellac lacquer and about two coats of lacquer are enough to make the new capacitor look like an old one and even hide the bright yellow ends with the shellac lacquer. For cylindrical aluminium can capacitors I use a small very fine blade fret saw and cut around one end, there is usually an end of the capacitor with an indentation around its circumference, and cutting around this indentation as far away from the end of the capacitor as possible means when the end comes off and after the can is cleaned out, the end that's cut off has a little rim that will push back inside the cylinder body and make an invisible closure of the can with the new capacitor inside of course. If you really want a capacitor to look like a wax paper capacitor, once the printed paper label is wrapped around the axial polypropylene capacitor and a coat of shellac lacquer, dip the capacitor body a few files in microcrystalline wax, it will take a few dips in the wax with time for the wax to harden for the lays of wax to build up and look correct. Microcrystalline wax is the same wax as the original paper capacitors were dipped in and is still readily available. I hope someone finds these tips as useful as I have found them to be in restoring old radios and reusing old capacitors. Great video, someone in the future is going to have great fun if they fit a replacement 47 tube or try finding a UX-5 based 6k6 tube. Kay.

[@glasslinger]

OK to go to that much trouble for your own radios but for a job for hire you would be working at a buck an hour!

[@getcartercarpark.]

@@glasslinger Yes, I agree, if it is a paid-for repair/restoration it is different from a repair/restoration for yourself! You want your own repairs and restorations for your own collection to look as good as you are happy with. Regards, Kay.

[@opus1952]

😎👍 That was excellent as all your videos are. Thank you for sharing your skills.

[@SpeakerFreak95]

12:51 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I enjoy your commentary.

[@chuck0mx]

A good video, sir. A lot of useful information.

[@jamesweekes6726]

For all the enjoyment you brought your viewers it IS worth all this work! Thank you.

[@thebuggy736]

Great clip. There are a few people around able to fix this vintage radios, I played around with valve radios as a boy in the 60th and 70th. People gave away the valve radios for transistor ones. Today you would cry what I have butchered but this items were free often from the street rubbish collection. Sadly parts are today very expensive and you need a stock build up for many years to be able to repair this radios this is a big problem for young people interested in repairing valve radios. I worked in a radio shop as a boy for pocket money and the two ww2 veterans liked children and I am thankful what I learned from them and there were older customers in the 70th still using valve radios they thought why should we through it out if it still works. We served this customers. I like the warm sound of this radios because this radios often have a wooden cabinet and this sounds good. When I watch your clips it brings back memories of my child hood.

[@mmmhorsesteaks]

The foreshadowing in the captions was great fun :)

[@xcalibre222]

WOW! I counted 34 Okay's in the first 12 minutes of Vid so it must be Okay. 😂 Thanks for the Vid!

[@jerryskinner8359]

Awesome love to buy one of your radios

[@fichambawelby2632]

G-R-E-A-T !!!. As ever, excellent job, almost from nothing. You always turn trash into gold. As a doctor in electronic engineering I remove the hat from my head. I'm involved in microelectronics design, but also worked with tubes (old school, ya know). I'm glad to be a member of your YT club. It is always a pleasure to see your publications (and listening you smile!). God bless you.

[@klausphotobaer5754]

Murphy‘s law in operation 😂 Great work 👍🏻

[@obelixzh]

You almost built a new radio from scratch. I think only the cabinet and the chassis are still original. Interesting to watch. Greetings from Zurich, Switzerland

[@EngineeringVignettes]

A very enjoyable descent into madness. I especially liked hacking a new tube base onto a non 5-pin tube, that should cause any future repair tech to have an aneurysm. Good show! Cheers,

[@juanvillanueva5267]

I am enamored of these vintage radios. It's not just the quality, engineering and pride that went into these enormously beautiful sets..... there is a warmth, oomph & satisfaction of having one these many years later. I've owned several throughout the years and currently have just one, a 47 Stewart Warner that is just stunning. Warm solid wood cabinet with nickel plated metal over speaker. The contrast is sexy to say the least. It doesn't receive very well, the state of AM broadcast being what it is. But ohhh Lord what does emanate is a deeply rich bass impressive for its size. And how it dresses up a room. I might be living in the wrong time.....❤

[@christophercudia8354]

nice job

[@Me11oIngenuity]

Well done! Loved every minute of it.

[@redbeacon4871]

You’re like Dr. Frankenstein.it’s just amazing how bring these classic radios back to life .

[@MrChief101]

Still amazing, Roy-- even if you make a mistake, you know what to do. I enjoy that.

[@zx8401ztv]

Ron that radio wasn't a radio, just a heap of nonsense. Now it's a radio again :-D The cat was quality control :-D

[@suadcokljat1045]

Very nice work. Cheers! S

[@BrumAdam]

That was a riveting watch - thanks for sharing a small part of your knowledge

[@fuzzwack1]

That one gave you a work out!! LOL!

[@chetpomeroy1399]

*Fascinating* video! This was *definitely* a low-budget receiver, as the more pricey superheterodyne units produced at that time had better selectivity. I'll bet you were as frustrated as all get-go!

[@boi7t5]

Great work

[@hestheMaster]

👍👍👍On getting to work after all this trouble Ron!

[@sevenowls7776]

A cheap radio perhaps, but it constituted a masterclass in restoration (and in glee!) Well done! And greetings from Scotland!

[@LusitaniaFilms]

Hello. I don't Normally Leave comment's BUT today I have to leave one :) You Said it right. People who work on these old radio will soon die and there will be no-one left to fix these. I for one agree with you Buddy. I started working on electronics in 1986 and had a shop from 1987 to 2001 until it was no longer worth to fix as you could buy a vcr for 80 and not 500 or more. and finely I closed my shop. My first year I was working on old TUBE type TV's STILL!! and I had to repair a Motorola TV! I was not trained in modern electronics so I had to look for a scamatic I fount SAMS now I was in Heaven. I admire you. I would NEVER be able to do what you do. and I have 2 Old Bakelite old radios that I am unable to fix because I have no Idea how to fix them. I know you live in Houston, and I live in Old River Winfree, I would love to meet you in person, and watch you fix something that old. GOD Bless you and HOPE you keep on making these Videos so I can keep living :) . Love you Sir.

[@MCBatty80]

Thank you for sharing your experience to the world. We just have to backup all these video's on something analogue in case of loss of internet, then we can restore build anything with tubes. :D

[@AdrianDunevein]

Love what you did with those old capacitors !

[@barrymayson2492]

Yes the knowledge is going fast ! But you have left a great legacy with your videos and they maybe enough in the future. Plus the audiophile guys I don't think will let valves die without a fight, plus they seem to have deep pockets!

[@lookoutleo]

cant get over you taking such a pile of crud and rewiring it totally custom and making it work, thats amazing. where did you learn so much about tube radio?

[@glasslinger]

I collect antique radios. I started over 30 years ago and quickly found that I had to learn to repair them since nobody else knew how.

[@opus1952]

@@glasslinger Well, I for one am really glad you keep this hobby going. I often wonder where you acquired such in depth knowledge to approach these old radio's, it's clearly more than a hobby for you, you must have worked at NASA back in the day, most of the time you don't even have a schematic to follow!!! Thank you.

[@lookoutleo]

@@glasslinger very good skill to have :) I'm going to get one and trouble shoot it, can I ask for help if I get stuck?

[@glasslinger]

@@lookoutleo Yes. I help a lot of people.

[@glasslinger]

@@opus1952 I applied at NASA back in the 60's to work on the moon project. Their salary offer was so dismal I walked out. Got a job at a private company paying double!

[@shaunsiz.itsbetterbytube2858]

Both geniuses as in M C but opposite in finesse lol love Ron's hot rod way of working

[@glasslinger]

I used to be in radio repair business. Can't fool around and make any money!

[@mariocruzresendiz4368]

Buen día, lo felicito muy buen trabajo , saludos cordiales Nezahualcóyotl México.

[@Barbarra63297]

What a sweet kitty!

[@Tadesan]

The most interesting thing to me about these old radios is how little ‘guts’ they have. They just always seem thrown together and missing parts. I think that was just the standard then.

[@TheTreegodfather]

I swear to God everyone in the hobby gets at LEAST that one radio that ends up being a gigantic wallop in the bollocks from start right to the very end.

[@Number4lead]

You have a skill that always wish I had. Now I'm mid 40s and still wishing. Maybe I can still learn, theirs always stuff at goodwill that would probably be good to practice on. Its a skill that is liable to become more and more valuable if a SHTF scenario ever hapoened. Cute kitty by the way.

[@soliman15]

Nice job Ron. I couldn't ever never ever get this one working and really glad you did

[@bblod4896]

Congratulations on the rebuild!

[@Denvermorgan2000]

That was cool I’m glad you were able to fix it

[@OddJobFix]

"This is a piece of shit." Love it. I'm studying radio repair and you make it look so easy. Yeah, with a lifetime of experience! At this point you're way over my ability to see the genius. Appreciate it all the same.

[@RobsFixitShop]

I just love your videos. I learn a lot and have fun doing it!

[@blitzroehre1807]

Jeez that one was truly jinxed :-D Good show getting it going, regardless of mods

[@veb6814]

Another peice of history saved!

[@cyndicorinne]

The retro-wrapped condenser is a work of art.

[@mike-y9s]

I learn much from your videos

[@TheGuitologist]

Chassis held in only with knobs…back when things were built to be worked on.

[@dass1333]

Even with the wrong knobs.

[@MrAntuan228]

That's a nice radio 👍

[@matiasdehais329]

Excellent Job, Ron!

[@charliehustle5529]

Wow could we get a look at that attic one day I've been hearing you for years say you have to run up and get a tube or some kind of part could we get a peek thanks Ron for the video. That radio will make a nice piece for your collection

[@Greg-et2dp]

Glass linger you are good at restoring vintage radios and vintage TVS my friend 🎉🎉🎉

[@DeadKoby]

This is a bigger project than I would have wanted to take on. Congrats for seeing it to completion.