Emerson model 874 "series A" broken cabinet

[electra225]

I found this cute little radio in a box of parts sets. I have the bad habit of repairing parts sets. How do I know what parts are still good if the radio doesn't work? The other side of that is who would use a working radio as a parts set? This radio has a busted cabinet. Two cracks almost the entire width on top and a spot on the bottom with a chunk missing. The model label is pretty nice, but it has to go so I can fix a crack. I'll have to have it reproduced. The interlock plug has bare wires, but it works okay to this point. The back is really nice. It has a PCB chassis. This miniature set has two IF transformers and a 4" speaker. It is a competent performer. I will probably fix the cabinet, then paint it hot pink with the grille area as close as to the color it is and leave the knobs their original color. There are indented graphics I'll have to paint along with the raised "Emereson" letters. Art used to paint the background with oil-based enamel, then used water-based paint for the indented graphics. It's been awhile since I did that. I think this little set if worth saving.

[William]

Looks like you have your work cut out for you, but you have had lots of practice lately so it should be a piece of cake. It looks like someone already replaced the filter capacitor, was that you? It is amazing, seen often with GE products, how cheap things can be made yet be great performers. Have fun with your newest project.

Bill

[electra225]

The chassis on this radio is really clean, particularly considering it has spent eons in a junk box. This radio is part of the score I got in Pittsburg, MO at an auction, in the rain. It was in a big box, one that a shop vac had come in originally. There was all kinds of stuff in that box, not just radios. I put those kluged-in filter caps there. Remember, this was supposed to be a "working" parts set. The original (or at least the one that was there) was mounted via a clip and a bolt in a hole in the speaker frame. The radio had a hum and I wanted to check the rest of the chassis, so I put those caps in any which way, since I was not concerned about how it looked at the time. Several of the radios in that big box had damaged cabinets. I have always wondered if the damage occurred while they were setting up the auction. Those guys go like they are killing snakes, and they damage a lot of stuff doing that....