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Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2
Archive-name: antiques/radio+phono/faq/part5 See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
Rec.antiques.radio+phono Frequently Asked Questions (part 5)
Revision Date Notes
2.0 11-1-94 Revised version from Aaron Field. (this version was
previously posted to the newsgroup).
2.1 1-7-95 Added some material to Aaron's list.
2.2 7-8-95 Removed Aaron Field's address as he apparently no longer
has an Internet account at the address listed. Our thanks to Aaron for
having done the work to get this list started.
3.0 10-95 Did a whole bunch of work on the list. Added material on
tubes and schematics.
3.1 Nov 19, 95 Move from part 4 to part 5
3.2 4-96 Add new sources, tube buyer notice
Part 5 - Sources of materials, supplies, and bibliography for antique
electronics
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The most frequently asked question is "where can I get vacuum tubes?"
TUBE SELLERS:
Antique Electronic Supply
6221 S. Maple Ave
Tempe, AZ 85283
Tel: 602-820-5411
Contact Daily Electronics
P.O. Box 5029
Compton, CA 90224
Tel: 800-346-6667 (Orders)
Tel: 213-774-1255 (Tech)
Don Diers
4276 North 50 Street #SC3
Milwaukee, WI 53216-1313
DNF
6690 7 Mile Road
South Lyon, MI 48178
Electron Tube Enterprises
Box 8311
Essex, VT 05451
Tel: 802-879-7764
Fair Radio Sales
Lima Ohio
Phone: 419-227-6573
Kirby
298 West Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN 46032
Lippert N61W
15889 Edgemont
Meno Fls, WI 53051
New Tube Co.
P.O. Box 202
Middle Village, NY 11379
Tel: 718-894-2131
Quest Electronics, Inc.
5715 W. 11th Avenue
Denver, CO 80214
303-274-7545 Voice
303-274-2317 Fax
Steinmetz Electronics
7519 Maplewood Ave
Hammond, IN 46324
Tel: 219-931-9316
Michael C. Marx
SND Tube Sales
5389 Ville Rosa Lane
Hazelwood, MO 63042
314-770-0119 phone
314-770-9448 fax
email: tubes@i1.net
(furnished by Dan Schoo)
(Note, this is not a supplier, but a buyer of old tubes. I'm copying
the posting slightly trimmed down).
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I am the Purchasing Agent for Antique Electronic Supply in Tempe, Arizona. We
purchase tubes (or valves, as the English call them!) for resale. Anyone who
is interested can contact me at tubes@crzyone.com, and I can send them via
email the current bid list for tubes we have a need for and our current bid
prices.
For further information, email me at the above address or call (602) 820-5411.
If you want to check out the web sites for a couple of tube manufacturers, try:
http://www.svetlana.com for Svetlana Electronic Devices
http://www.rell.com for Richardson Electronics.
Edward C. Bender
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Q: Where can I get tubes, electronic parts, knobs, dial lenses,
grille cloth, schematics, literature, refinishing supplies, etc.?
A: The following suppliers carry a variety of merchandise for
collectors and restorers of vintage radio/phono/TV/jukeboxes. Catalogs
or inventory lists are available from all of them. Following this list
is a directory of commonly needed items, with additional sources.
1. Antique Electronic Supply, 6221 S. Maple Ave., Tempe, AZ 85283,
(602)820-5411: Great source for tubes, components, restoration
supplies, books, etc. If you're new to the hobby, start with
the AES catalog--it's indispensible!
2. Puett Electronics, P.O. Box 28572, Dallas, TX 75228,
(214)321-0927: Incredible supply of literature and service
data, also some parts. Good source for collectors of
E.H. Scott and McMurdo silver radios.
3. Play Things of Past, 3552 West 105th St., Cleveland, OH 44111,
(216)582-3094: Plenty of hard-to-find parts for the earliest
radios, including rare tubes. (Probably the best source for
original parts on 1920's sets.) Lots of literature as well.
Excellent catalog.
4. Old Tyme Radio Company, 2445 Lyttonsville Rd., Silver Spring,
MD 20910, (301)585-8776. Tubes, vintage parts, radios,
test equipment.
5. Great Northern, P.O. Box 17338, Minneapolis, MN 55417,
(61) 727-2489: Lots of stuff for collectors of Zenith radios--
parts, literature, T-shirts, service data.
6. Vintage TV and Radio Supply, 3498 W. 105th St., Cleveland,
OH 44111, (216)671-6712: Nice selection of books, tubes,
knobs, components, refinishing supplies, etc. Much better
knob selection than AES (#1 above). Good catalog.
7. Wade's World of Knobs (Wade and Joe-Ann Terrell), 7109 E. Arbor Ave.,
Mesa, AZ 85208, (602)830-7849: Reproduction plastic knobs and dial
lenses, etc.
8. Antique Radio Labs, R1, Box 41, Cutler, IN 46920, (317)268-2214:
Limited selection of various parts and literature.
9. Don Diers, 4276 North 50th St., Milwaukee, WI 53216-1313:
Nice selection of tubes and vintage parts. Tons of caps!
Fun to read catalog!
10. Triode Electronics, Box 578751, Chicago, IL 60657, (312)871-7459:
Jukebox needles, cartridges, tubes, other parts.
11. A.G. Tannenbaum, P.O. Box 386, Ambler, Pa. 19002;
Tel: 215-540-8055: Vintage parts and literature, test equipment.
NOTE: Tannenbaum has moved. New address per their telephone recording
is PO
Additional sources are contained in the following directory of
commonly needed items. The list is currently geared mainly towards
radio, but phono/TV/jukebox collectors should find useful sources
here as well. The sources listed above are referred to by number.
Books--
Best source for currently published books on collecting and restoring
radio/TV/phono etc. is #1! For vintage literature, see "Literature"
listing below.
Capacitors--
#1, #6, #10 all have good selections. #10 may be the best.
Custom rebuilds on single or multi-unit can caps are available from:
Frontier Electronics, 403 S. McIntosh St. or Box 38,
Lehr, ND 58460, (701)378-2341. Price list available.
Coils--
#1,3,4,6,8,9 all have various coils, chokes, and transformers,
both originals and replacements. (Try #3 first for original
1920's and 30's stuff).
Decals--
Decal reproductions of the following logos are available from
#1,4,6 (and probably others): Philco, Atwater Kent, Zenith,
Stewart-Warner, RCA, Stromberg-Carlson, Admiral, Emerson, GE,
FADA, Garod, DeWald, Belmont, Sonora, Magnavox Lion (for horn
speakers).
Dials--
Reproduction tuning dials available from:
Antique Radio Restorations, 635 S. Lincoln Ave.,
O'Fallon, IL 62269, (618)632-7423. (AK, RCA, Zenith, Philco)
Also try #1,2.
Dial covers--
Reproduction dial covers custom made from broken cover or tracing:
a. #7
b. Doyle Roberts, HC-63 Box 236-1, Clinton, Arkansas 72031,
(501)745-6690.
c. Old Time Replications, 5744 Tobias Ave., Van Nuys CA, 91411,
(818)786-2500.
Limited selections of original dial covers available from #1,2,4,6.
Dial pointers--
#6 has a few generic replacements if you can't find an original.
Grille cloth--
a. Good selections from #1 and #6. Sample cards available.
b. John Okolowicz, 624 Cedar Hill Rd., Ambler, PA 19002,
(215)542-1597: "Deluxe Replica Grille Cloth" (Philco,
Emerson, Scott, Zenith).
Knobs--
Best selection of reproduction knobs from #6 (check here first
for clock radio knobs) and #7. #1 not bad for Zenith and Philco.
Most suppliers say "many available, send us your request".
Lamps--
#1,3,6 and 9 all have good selections.
Literature--
#2 and #3 have impressive archives of vintage radio literature,
with titles listed in their catalogs. #1 and #6 have reprints
of popular service manuals and repair data (AK, Philco, Radiola,
Zenith). Also see "Schematics and Repair Data".
Periodicals--
a. "Antique Radio Classified" (monthly), PO Box 2-V32, Carlisle,
MA 01741, (508)371-0512: Classified ads, radio supplier ads,
articles, meet announcements.
b. "The Old Timer's Bulletin" (quarterly, with membership in
Antique Wireless Association), dues $12.00. Contact AWA, Box E,
Breesport, NY 14816. High quality publication chock full of
articles on all areas of vintage radio, including broadcast,
communications, telegraph, TV, etc.
c. "The Radio Collector" (monthly), PO Box 1306, Evanston,
IL 60204-1306, (708)869-5016: published by Marc Ellis, antique
radio columnist for "Popular Electronics" for many years.
Regular features include repair and restoration advice, vintage
book reviews, company chronicles, Q&A, classifieds. $20.00/yr.
Highly recommended.
d. "Radio Age" (monthly, with membership in Mid-Atlantic Antique
Radio Club), dues $20.00. Contact MAARC, Roy Morgan, PO Box
1362, Washington Grove, MD 20880. "Radio Age" was its own
publication until its recent merger with the "MAARC Newsletter".
e. Electric Radio (monthly). Box 57, Hesperus, CO 81236. Published
by Barry and Shirley Wiseman. This is an amateur radio
magazine. Editorial policy is "Our primary interest is in
"... vintage equipment/operating with an emphasis on AM, but
articles on SSB and CW are also needed."
f. There are many radio clubs across the US, each with its own
newsletter!
Refinishing supplies--
#1 and #6 supply all manner of chemicals (fillers, polishers,
lacquers, etc.) for refinishing both wood and plastic cabinets.
Repair and restoration services--
There is probably a collector's club near you that can steer you
towards an individual in your area who works on vintage equipment.
Otherwise, if shipping your radio is an option for you, try the
following:
a. For Your Listening Pleasure, 368 Clinton St., Binghamton,
NY 13905, (607)797-0066. Four levels of restoration are
available, from "working order only" to "museum quality"!
b. #3 and #4 do repairs--not sure about cabinet restorations.
c. Sunrise Services, 2343 Ballycastle, Dallas, TX 75228,
(214)328-4249. Radio cabinet refinishing, wood or plastic.
d. Check "Antique Radio Classified" for countless ads for this
type of service!
Loudspeaker reconing:
There have been several postings identifying the following as
rebuilders of old loudspeakers.
Mr. Richard Stamer
Sound Remedy
331 Virginia Ave.
Collingswood, N.J. 08108
609-869-0238
Mr. Hank Brazeal
103 N. Lake Point Ct.
Crossville, Tenn. 38555
615-456-2529
Speakerworld
2000 Warm Springs Ct. #6
Fremont, Cal. 94539
510-490-5842
Sound Remedy
331 Virginia Avenue
Collingswood, NY 08108
609 869 0238
Schematics/repair data--
Most schematics on vintage radios come from either the
Rider's Perpetual Troubleshooter's Manuals (earlier sets)
or the Howard Sam's Photofacts (post-war sets). These are
available in many public libraries. Otherwise, the following
suppliers offer schematics at reasonable rates (if you can
provide them with a model number): #1,2,4,5. If you don't
have a model number but can provide the tube #'s and layout,
for an extra fee they can usually find the right schematic.
See also "Literature".
Howard W. Sams began publishing repair data in 1947. Don't look for
schematics, etc. of prewar electronics in Sams.
Rider reprinted manufacturers' repair information, and you should look
for "family resemblances" between the radio you have and radios of the
same make---Rider may have published repair data for only one or two of
a large family of model numbers that are nearly identical. Also keep
in mind that many smaller radios built after the mid-thirties were
built to standard Hazeltine/RCA designs under license, and you may not
need a specific schematic for your set).
Tubes--
A complete list of tube suppliers would be an incredible headache
to compile. Just about all of the suppliers listed at the beginning
of this directory have tubes, and it is unlikely that you would
be unable to get what you need from at least one of them. The ones
that have their inventory conveniently listed in their catalog are:
#1,2,3,6,9. Prices vary.
Some other suppliers for various things:
Local sources. Take a look in the Yellow Pages, and check out any
place that advertises under "radio repair." You may find that your
area has an old-time shop or two that does repair work on old
electronics. Don't ignore possible local sources---a few phone calls
will generally lead you to one, even if you don't identify it from the
Yellow Page listings immediately.
Mouser
2401 Highway 287 North
Mansfield, Tex. 76063
800-346-6873/817-483-4422
Mouser is a "modern components" distributor with a big catalog. They
have distribution centers in California and New Jersey as well. While
they do not stock antique-specific items, they are a good source for
resistors, capacitors, wire (modern only) and a host of other useful
items.
MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Dr.
Centerville, Ohio 45459
800-543-4330
Most of MCM's inventory is oriented toward modern devices, but some of
their items can be used in old radio restoration. They also stock a
large inventory of Japanese and Motorola transistors.
The following advertise regularly in Electric Radio (a magazine for old
amateur radio equipment)
Fair Radio Sales
PO Box 1105/1016 E. Eureka St.
Lima, Ohio 45802
419-227-6573
Primarily military surplus, plus some test equipment and vacuum tubes.
Purchase Radio Supply
327 East Hoover Avenue
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
313-668-8696
(Not specific as to what they carry, but worth investigating---they
state they've been there 60 years and specialize in old items).
On magnetic components (coils, RF-IF transformers, power transformers,
chokes), you are faced with several choices, depending on what you need.
Antique Electronic Supply carries a selection of iron core magnetics
and a few other items, primarily for smaller radios. Several suppliers
offer interstage transformers for 1920's sets. If you need a power
transformer you may need to adapt mechanically and/or electrically.
You will need to know the exact dimensions of mounting holes, chassis
cutouts, space available for mounting, etc. You will also need to know
the voltages and current requirements of secondary circuits. If you
have some idea what substitutions you can make, calling around may
produce a very good substitute. For a price, there are several
transformer shops that will build you a new transformer to your
specifications.
Universal-wound coils (i.e., wound zigzag on forms) are difficult to
replace. Fortunately, they don't often give trouble---main problem is
antenna coils zapped by lightning. There are very few shops today who
are equipped to wind universal-wound coils. Some electrical adaptation
of NOS (new old-stock) items is possible in some cases.
If you are dealing with a radio that needs magnetic components or has a
physically-unrepairable tuning capacitor, you may have a parts radio.
Test equipment:
Most test equipment comes from sellers at hamfests. Fair Radio Sales
has several items of test equipment for sale. One source that
specializes in an interesting variety of test equipment, as well as
some old radios and parts furnished the following self-description:
----------------------------------------
W.J. Ford Surplus Enterprises
We have a wide assortment of surplus electronics for sale. Check out
our electronic listings at:
http://infoweb.magi.com/~testequi/
Our lists are regularily updated as new stock comes in.
W.J. Ford Surplus Enterprises
P.O. Box 606, Smith's Falls, Ont. K7A 4T6
phone: (613)283-5195
fax: (613)283-0637
email: testequi@magi.com
check out our home page at http://infoweb.magi.com/~testequi/
--------------------------------------------
Bibliography:
The following books are relevant to old radio design, repair, and
history.
1. Loomis, Mary Texanna. "Radio Operating and Theory." Several
editions, 1925-30. Washington D.C., Loomis Publishing Co.
2. Ghirardi, Alfred A. "Radio Physics Course" At least two editions,
1931-33. New York, Murray Hill Book Co.
3. Terman, Frederick E. "Radio Engineering." Three editions, 1932,
1937, 1947. "Electronic and Radio Engineering" was published as a "4th
edition" in 1956, but covers different topics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
4. Terman, Frederick E. "Radio Engineer's Handbook." 1st ed. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 1943.
5. Langford-Smith, F. "Radiotron Designer's Handbook." Four editions,
1934, 1935, 1940, 1952. Sydney, Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company
Pty. Ltd.
6. Hund, August. "Frequency Modulation." New York, McGraw-Hill,
1942.
7. Rider, John F., ed. "Perpetual Troubleshooter's Manual." 23
volumes, 1928-53. New York: John F. Rider Publishing.
8. Howard Sams "Fotofacts." Issued as folders, beginning in 1947.
Indianapolis: Howard Sams Publishing.
9. There are several works available through Antique Electronic Supply,
either recent items or reprints of old material.
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