Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[David Dunlop]

I removed the two Shakeproof No. 18 Cowl Fasteners from the front panel this evening, so this panel is now free standing and ready for restoration.

The tricky part of removing these fasteners is getting the old Cross Pin out of the stud. I have found a two-step process that works pretty well when the Cross Pins are intact and straight. I manoeuvre the panel and fastener over one end of my bench vise such that the stud rests along the opening of the jaws, which are open only enough for the pin to fir into the gap. While holding that all in place, I then tap one end of the Cross Pin gently down until it is reasonably flush with the stud. I can then put a small set of vise grip pliers on the exposed end of the Cross Pin and tug it straight out. The current maker of the Cross Pins does not recommend twisting the pin as you pull, as you run a really good risk of snapping the pin and will end up trying to drift it out with a small pin punch. Doing that runs the risk of oversizing the hole in the stud and the replacement Cross Pin will no longer stay put.


David

[David Dunlop]

Hi James.

Yes, when original suppliers are still around, and are still proud of their corporate history, it makes a huge difference when working on projects like this, so far after production.

David

[David Dunlop]

This is a photo of the front panel plate from this assembly showing the bend in it I will have to remove. The bottom end of the plate is to the left of the photo.

I think it should straighten out just fine with a little hammer work one morning down the road.

David

[David Dunlop]

I started removing the paint from the front panel of this assembly today, The paint had cracked along the bottom section of the panel where the bend in it took place, and it seemed like a good test area to see how easy the task would be to remove the lower section of paint.

Considering this panel was repainted in 1966, it was pretty much guaranteed a lead based paint had been used, so I was not interested at all in sanding it down. I also was not in the mood to bundle up and drive over to the nearest hardware store for a can of stripper, so decided scraping it off would work just fine. By setting the panel at the front of a large brown paper bag, I can scrape towards the bag and all the little bits fly happily into it, and not my pail of fresh tea at the side of the bench.

The red oxide primer that turned up on the back of the grey paint chips confirmed this was indeed a 1966 rebuild. A grey primer was used by Canadian Marconi for all their paint priming of the other front panels on the 52-Set. Whoever repainted this panel at 202 Workshop did an excellent job. Once all the paint is removed, I will do the straightening of the panel and give it a light sanding before repainting it.


David

[David Dunlop]

One other thing of note today.

It has been six weeks now since I finished work on the Connectors, Twin No. 17, and I noticed today they no longer smell like popourri. Just a nice old cloth cable kind of smell.


David

[David Dunlop]

A little more work on the front panel for the Vibratory Supply last evening and this morning.

The last of the paint was removed yesterday and I was able to use a hammer and dolly on the bend at the bottom of the panel this morning to straighten it out.

Then a light sanding to get the last of the paint off the metal and it is now ready for priming. We are supposed to get a break in the cold weather tomorrow, so I am hoping this break will not come with more snow and perhaps the priming will get done tomorrow afternoon.


David

[David Dunlop]

The front panel has now been primed and should be ready for final painting Thursday onward.


David