Zenith 1938 9S262 Radio Chassis PT1

[@deanberglund2332]

Very cool Gary. Looking good. Looking forward to seeing PT2

[@HD7100]

Thank you Dean.

[@rodleger7132]

Love the old Radios!

[@N4JAB]

Well, I will definitely be referring to this a lot as I try to rebuild mine.

[@calebtuskossmann]

Amazing stuff, how has the organ been treating you? You are a big inspiration to me on the instrument.

[@HD7100]

I play my Wurlitzer Pipe Organ every day. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@KC9UDX]

@@HD7100 that's very good to hear! I wish I could play at least one instrument once a month!

[@KC9UDX]

If someone is going to put an ugly new cord on it like that, they could at least install a fuse. If you're going to replace the Muter anyway, maybe consider installing an extra resistor to bring the line voltage down. I don't know how the transformer is on that model, but I've had multiple Zenith power transformers burn up under modern line voltage. (Too late, I see you already finished it.)

[@HD7100]

Like the Hammond Organs and their tone cabinets, Zenith did not put in a fuse. I won't either although I will replace the power cord with a period correct cord and plug.

[@KC9UDX]

@@HD7100 I don't normally either, but sometimes I think all the nagging from the guys who insist on adding them might be right. Most things weren't/aren't fused, and our 15/20A breakers seem to do the job. The only fires we normally hear about are improper extension cords, loose connections, and other bad practices. I did have one Zenith transformer actually start on fire on the bench. Several others that probably would have if I hadn't caught them overheating undervoltage on the Variac. My Hammond is fused (but purists don't like to think of it as a Hammond!) In fact when I got it home and turned it on, two fuses blew, no idea why. By the way, I too always do use period-looking cords and plugs.

[@HD7100]

@@KC9UDX I worked for Hammond as an independent tech and when I was visiting the factory I became friends with Alan Young who was one of the top engineers for Hammond. I visited Alan's home many times and in our chats about Hammond history he told me the reason they never put fuses in their earlier consoles and tone cabinets was that Mr. Hammond did not want to send out factory techs just to replace a fuse. I miss those early days and I miss Alan. "memories"

[@KC9UDX]

@@HD7100 I've actually heard that before. Laurens Hammond was surely eccentric in many ways.

[@HD7100]

@@KC9UDX Alan told me that when one of the engineers was called to Laurens house that was always an unnerving experience. Laurens had a white carpet and so the engineers had to remove their shoes and be ultra careful that they did not leave even a speck of dirt anywhere.