Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[David Dunlop]

The main painting of the wooden coil case and back panel was done this morning so it is finally back in original Flat Olive Drab finish, probably for the first time since the 1950’s.

Tomorrow I hope to get any touchups completed and it can then sit for two weeks to hard cure before I set about getting all the parts which need to be reinstalled, back onto it.



David

[David Dunlop]

Last evening I was able to give the wooden coil case a lat final inspection of the paint work and touch up a few missed bits. It is now resting on the bench for its two week hard cure. It looks a bit odd to me still in Flat Olive Drab paint. Since I saw my first one back in the 1970’s, I have only ever seen them in NATO Green.

I added two photos this time. Essentially the same shot on the bench, then only change being one task light was slightly re-angled to better highlight the interior of the case. But notice how the tone of the Flat Olive Drab suddenly shifts from a green to brown. I am sure i have commented on this before with this paint. In mottled sunlight or shade, it can drive you nuts trying to figure out the actual colour!

My thought at the moment is the first item to reunite with this case will probably be the green felt pad on the floor of it that the coil chassis assembly rests on.



David

[David Dunlop]

Some decal supplies arrived today. I have never worked with either of these items before so another new learning curve looms on the horizon.


David

[James D Teel II]

I've used these decal setting solutions quite a lot in the past. You'll find the learning curve is very gentle and forgiving.

[David Dunlop]

With required holiday work around the house under control now, I have been able to get a little more work done on the restoration of the case for the Coil, Aerial Tuning No. 2 A.

I have been able to strip the old paint off the two Brass Mounting Plates used to secure the Coil to the top of the Carriers No. 4.

The attached photos show the original state of the left plate, after it was stripped and of both the left and right plates after stripping. Both plates still need to be cleaned further with a small brass wire wheel, as well as the hardware for both plates. This work was on hold because I only had one brass wire wheel for my Dremel available, and it was worn out. I have worn out six of these wheels now with this project and at a local cost of just under $13.00 Canadian a pair, that novelty was wearing off. I then discovered I could order 15 such wheel from Amazon for just under $18.00 Canadian and went that route. The last photo shows what was left of my remaining brass wire wheel, along with the new ones.



David

[David Dunlop]

Thanks for the words of encouragement on decal work, James. Much appreciated.

I plan to practise a bit before playing for keeps with the actual Coil front panel.

I know the flat white base coat will go down nice and thin. However, I have never worked with a spray neutral luminous green paint before so have to figure out how thick is goes down and to some extent how intense it becomes as it goes down. Next will be how well that paint behaves with the decal chemicals and finally, how well the decal will snug down over pads of paint the smallest of which will be roughly 1/4-inch by 3/4-inch and of as yet unknown thickness. Fun times ahead.



David

[David Dunlop]

Another small roadblock in restoring the Coil, Aerial Tuning No. 2 A was related to the zinc plating work all the brass hardware was going to need.
The two brass Mounting Plate assemblies are going to be the largest items I have ever had to plate and the small plastic containers I have been using for the acid etch and water rinse removal were nowhere large enough to do the job.

I could find nothing available on hand around the house the right size and on finally mentioning it to Debbie a few days ago, she suggested I check out the local Dollarama Store to see what they might have. Went in the other day and worked my way through the isles and ‘Bingo’! On a shelf marked as Drawer Organizers, I found stacks of 8.5” x 2.5” x 1.5” plastic trays that were perfect for the task and only $1.25 each, so I picked up two one for the acid and the second for the alcohol needed to remove all the water when the acid is rinsed off.

I also picked up an extra bottle of Muriatic Acid, and Isopropyl Alcohol, just in case they are needed.



David