DrG, I am very happy for you and glad the offer didn't fall through.
The radio is a beauty indeed and, since it works, I would take my time studying its internals and planning the various part replacements - 100% chances they will eventually be needed, especially capacitors and the occasional carbon comp resistor.
To clean out these older equipments I find out that pressurized air usually yields better results than a vaccuum cleaner - with the obvious precautions to keep the pressure at an acceptable level and away from the mechanically fragile parts (loudspeakers, for example).
I avoided pressurized air (duster cans) because of the temperature and because of where all the dust can go, but I get your point.
As for the rest, I agree with you completely. It has already been a good learning experience. But, I had to face some facts.....
All the caps are replaced in restorations - everything I read has said that and I knew that going in. All of the jacks need to be replaced or treated. Smaller components here and there need replacement (e.g., the fuse). You mentioned an occasional resistor. Additionally, there is lots of string/thread/wire with all of the mechanical works.
After all that is done, you have some alignment procedures to conduct and they require a decent signal generator (see blurb attached and the lower portion not in the pic has all the alignment specs).
Then, of course, there is refinishing and finding the odd missing clip or what not).
One thing that I have learned is that a restored radio actually has very little original equipment. It is anything but original and I understand why.
So, there is a great deal to be learned and done with this restoration and I don't want to even attempt it at this point. I don't think it is a beginner's project. For example, take a look at the attached pic - see the top cap - has it leaked? Looks like it to me and I have had caps go bad on me - black goo all over the place...but I don't recognize that white goo and it almost looks like it was placed there as a seal. I don't know, I could try to find out (by asking folks like you
), but there is a whole lot I don't know about old radios - I mean for crying out loud, there is no keyboard
.
What I do think is of great value is that I *think* this is all original. The "extra" holes under the primary may be because this is a US model (I had wondered, but retrieving the included schematic lists it that way, so now I know). Apart from that, I just don't see any signs of repair. Seems to me that all original is what radio folks want. Right now I have that, but if I try a restoration, I don't have that any more.
For now, it is fine. A display piece that is pretty to look at and can be listened to as part of showing off
It may, eventually, end up in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing - that could even be me - but not now.
That's what I think anyways.