The legendary Mister X gave me some great tips on this subject, and inspired me to work up something for people who are new to the hobby, or like myself, have radios that need to de repaired but are so damaged that they don't even know where to start. Does a comprehensive repair guide exist, or could we crowdsource one as a Google Doc, with links to videos and ideas for each topic? I am looking for is something like this, but shorter and more basic, with explanations at each step: This is my first stab at an ideal format, done in a way that someone who has no idea can use to have some semblance of success (especially if they practice first): These are all the major parts Is this radio worth repairing? Expectations of time and cost, and end results Impact on value: are you trying to fix this to sell or to enjoy for yourself? Tools and supplies that you will need for each step These are the first level things anyone can probably handle Common Scenarios: So you bought a boombox online and it just arrived...but the box is making a lot of noise when you shake it! Uh oh... So you just bought a boombox at a boot sale...pest control time! Cleaning outside properly What chrome to polish and how What not to polish What to do about decals: both the printed plastic radio dials/etc and promotional stickers and price tags that add to provenance Opening the back safely Cleaning inside Checking for wires that came loose Deoxidizing the contacts Lubricating the tape deck Easy epoxy repairs of broken screw posts, cracks in the housing How to reinforce your boombox with epoxy around parts that break Best practices Don't go poking around just for the fun of it unless you take a lot of picture first! Example: Don't undo to the string that tunes the radio unless you really need to because you probably wont get it back right! These are the harder things Knobs, switched, sliders, and buttons: what to do when yours are missing: replace, fake, recreate, or leave as is? What other models can be used as donors? (a database would be useful here) Resin copies Cutting plastic Just led it go...who actually uses the equalizer anyway? Replacing belts with the right size belts (and finding those belts) Replacing missing tape decks Level 1: fake this with plexiglass and a printer Level 2: find a replacement that fits from the same or a different model (again a database would be useful here) Level 3: Recreate a working door with plastic, epoxy, 3d printed parts, etc. Improve performance Is this a valuable model like the M-90 that may appreciate in value? Probably leave it alone. Is this an EDC, something you want to carry around an enjo,y like lower-end but still-fun units like the DiscoLite? Mod-on! How do you know if your speakers are too old and need to be re-foamed/replaced? Should you clean or paint your speakers to bring them back to the original color? Blue for M-90, White for many models, black for many others? Setting this up to play bluetooth Replacing/Upgrading the speaker system so it really thumps Adding batting inside for better sound These are the things that you need to really practice or leave as-is Solder broken circuitry LED and lightbulb replacement Repairing exotic/dangerous components like TV tubes Replace missing tape decks Completely remaking major plastic parts that were damaged or need to be replaced, such as feet Recreating screws...seriously I have called 15 speciality fastener shops and no one has the front screws for a Lasonic TRC-935 Resources
I'll add that after watching that amazing 2 hour video, which was on fast forward and likely took weeks of work, specialized skill, and special tools, I think that there should be a subsection of "Just Display It: So you love boomboxes but you mostly listen to your phone so how do we make it look great but skip the parts about repairing the functionality, and all while not damaging the future potential for more in-depth repair when you finally have several months with nothing do to?" I think in classic car repair this is referred to as a "Trailer Queen" #Controversial
Have a look at this aimed at record players https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75401 I am sure thats lots of the Boombox information people need is already on Stereo2Go but scattered around various threads. Their response to lots of queries about record players was to bring all their information together. I'm not actually sure what you mean by Crowdsourcing. Could you explain more.
That link is exactly the kind of thing I had in mind, thank you! Is there a way to put that in a Google Document or some other central area/format/index for easy searching? I totally agree that all of the information is out there, it is just spread around, and certain people know where certain things are. By crowdsourcing I was thinking that if we could agree on a basic outline, we could put it in the google doc or other format, and then people could add in links that they knew about. For example I saw a link on how to make epoxy knob copies, so I could put that the right heading on bullet 4, and someone else, who knew where the post was on where to get tape deck belts, could add that under bullet 3. Also open to other ideas; this may exist already.
Wow, that video has over 30,000 views, that pretty impressive for a boombox/Walkman. Boomboxes and Walkmans are unique beasts, just taking them apart is difficult and they are all different. The guys with basic skills learn how to take them apart, document the process, and then they troubleshoot the individual areas. We have maybe 10 members that can tell you what to look for on certain models but otherwise chalk out a week or two of replacing parts through trial and error. I don't see a good flow chart or process since they're all really different. Walkmans might be a little easier since they used the same transport across many models but boomboxes, I spend an hour just trying to find the little screws on the case.
+1 to what @Mister X said: unlike my fav Discmans these beasts are sooo different! Even the minor point of taking cassette door off National/Panasonic RX-5500 would need a separate video!
I had to get two different service manuals just to get doors off! The $20 hidden screw, they all have one......
Back to FAQs I have lost count of the number of times I have recommended Elektrotanya for service manuals and then explained how to find the link to the manual amongst all their click through advertising. On the subject of service manuals we could list the best paid for services for when you can't find a free one. With the last service manual I bought I was most surprised when a manufacturers original copy turned up in the post when I was mistakenly thinking I would be getting an emailed pdf file.
and @Mister X if anything, your responses have made me feel a lot better about how hard I am finding the process of restoration...and don't even get me started on the Russian boomboxes...at least the circuitry is easy to see as it is 5x the size! I'll shelve my dream of a universal repair manual; thank you for saving me hundreds of hours of fruitless searching for commonalities that don't exist!
I've also picked up some electronic repair books from the 70's during my travels, one of them does try to do it flow-chart style but with cassette decks each block could have five different directions. All of the moving parts add more confusion to the process.
This is a great thread but it's represented by the worst boombox ever the discolight lol....i remember when these were 50 quid and that was to much lol....i can't watch the video because i would want to see him smash it up with a sledgehammer haha
ok maybe i wouldn't smash up the discolight but it wouldn't be in my collection for long i tell thee lol
I'm with you Radio, even though I'd love to have one, I remember when those were only found at shady camera stores in the front window with all the lights flashing or at flea markets, stacks of brand new boxes next to vintage treasures....
