Good Questions: Where to Get This Old Stereo Fixed?

Hello AT,

I have this old Decca stereo that everyone loves, and actually the
electrics work perfectly, but the knob that changes the speed is
stuck on 16. I have tried regular superglue, but after one turn, the
knob broke off again, as it requires a lot of torque to turn it. Does anyone know where I could get this fixed or preferably, have any mega product that you think will repair it??

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It is a clean break ... the loose knob is shown on the left there on top.

I'd like to get it fixed in time to play my old Christmas records at
my holiday party!

thanks! ridge.

p.s. pardon the dust, by the way ... this piece serves double-duty as
my landing strip when the top's down...

Dear Ridge,

This is the perfect question for the new blog we're putting together for January - AT: Media Room - and we'd really hope to have our two editors at that time have a good answer for you. Until then, we throw this out to the crowd.

Anyone??

Comments (9)

There's a place on 30th Street between 7th and 8th -- closer to 8th, that sells and services antique radios, stereos etc. etc. Did a web search and found it: Waves, 251 West 30th St.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/wavesradios

Here's a list of resources for repair all throughout the USA:

http://vrps.org/documents/Radio%20Repair%20Shops.pdf

Good luck!

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2006-11-27 14:42:04

try calling turntable lab in the city
http://www.turntablelab.com/

they might know

posted by j on 2006-11-27 13:00:35

i've posted questions on craigslist in the muscian's section all the time about the boyfriend's busted guitars and where to fix them... to mildew stains on a vintage amp (ouch!).... good luck!

posted by krapartist on 2006-11-27 13:27:46

try a two part apoxy.

posted by Rob Penhollow on 2006-11-27 14:31:47

PS - forgot to mention that they repaired an old tube radio for me several years ago -- service was delightful!

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2006-11-27 14:43:05

Thanks, Frank! I'll give them a try.

posted by ridge. on 2006-11-27 16:49:31

You should try to find a shape-lock plastic. It's basically a bunch of small plastic pellets that melt in hot water, leaving a malleable plastic lump that you could jam in the knob, then onto the shaft. Once it's hardened, it's extremely tough, even resisting cutting with a hacksaw. If it doesn't work out for you, you could just soak the knob in hot water for a bit, then remove it. I guarantee this will work.

Look here - http://www.shapelock.com/page2.html

The $4.95 "free" sample kit is 35g, which should be many times more than enough.

Also note - the two-part epoxy that Rob mentioned could also have good results, but I prefer the easier method of shapelock for broken parts.

posted by Ryan on 2006-11-28 03:20:34

Try the 2-component glue as mentioned before... There is a different kind for almost every material so it fits exacly your needs.

posted by Ben on 2006-11-28 04:07:53

Hi Ridge,

I happen to have this same hi-fi. It's in far worse shape than yours but I was curious if you could help answer a few questions. Please contact me at desotodude61(at)yahoo(dot)com.

posted by Desoto61 on September 21st 2009 at 10:08am
view Desoto61's profile