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white line on 7 line knobs

 


Jerry,

Sounds like you are making good progress.

As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. ?After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. ?For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. ?Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.

73,

Evan, K9SQG

-----Original Message-----
From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs

So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio.? A 450Hz CW filter.? A
true work of art.? I did not delay in installing it.? Had to do some
cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter.? Possibly
my Ebay seller.? After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
separately-saleable filters?

? It works great.? Single-signal CW reception.

? While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
with SSB.? It's just one wire tacked to two
terminals on the mode switch.

? I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier.? It turned
out that the "clip" part had come undone.? Now
it's nice & tight.

? Then I did something purely cosmetic:? pulled off all the knobs and
treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch.? Those don't seem
to have setscrews.? How do they come off?

? ? The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
I may want to redo it.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry, KF6VB
 

They are called "paintsticks". I use one of these, works well.



Cheers,
Peter - VK2AN
 

Another thing to consider is that if you clean the knobs in an ultrasonic cleaner, the paint will be gone when you¡¯re done.?

I¡¯ve been using the putty stick to bring the lines and dots back but am considering going back to paint. Paint is the only way for 2 Line knobs.?

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


Sent from Proton Mail for iOS


On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <k9sqg@...> wrote:

Jerry,

Sounds like you are making good progress.

As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. ?After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. ?For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. ?Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.

73,

Evan, K9SQG

-----Original Message-----
From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs

So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio.? A 450Hz CW filter.? A
true work of art.? I did not delay in installing it.? Had to do some
cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter.? Possibly
my Ebay seller.? After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
separately-saleable filters?

? It works great.? Single-signal CW reception.

? While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
with SSB.? It's just one wire tacked to two
terminals on the mode switch.

? I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier.? It turned
out that the "clip" part had come undone.? Now
it's nice & tight.

? Then I did something purely cosmetic:? pulled off all the knobs and
treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch.? Those don't seem
to have setscrews.? How do they come off?

? ? The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
I may want to redo it.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry, KF6VB
 

For such refurbish tasks I have simply taken some colour tins from Revell M5 or SM301 (white, not shiny) from the nearest hobby shop dealing with plastic models. The varnish can be applied into the recess of the knobs as described earlier in this subject.

Best regards.

Karl, DK7AL

On 07.05.23 14:09, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
Another thing to consider is that if you clean the knobs in an ultrasonic cleaner, the paint will be gone when you¡¯re done.

I¡¯ve been using the putty stick to bring the lines and dots back but am considering going back to paint. Paint is the only way for 2 Line knobs.

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <[k9sqg@...](mailto:On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <<a href=)> wrote:

Jerry,

Sounds like you are making good progress.

As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.

73,

Evan, K9SQG

-----Original Message-----
From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs

So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio. A 450Hz CW filter. A
true work of art. I did not delay in installing it. Had to do some
cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter. Possibly
my Ebay seller. After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
separately-saleable filters?

It works great. Single-signal CW reception.

While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
with SSB. It's just one wire tacked to two
terminals on the mode switch.

I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier. It turned
out that the "clip" part had come undone. Now
it's nice & tight.

Then I did something purely cosmetic: pulled off all the knobs and
treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch. Those don't seem
to have setscrews. How do they come off?

The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
I may want to redo it.

- Jerry, KF6VB
 

FWIW I have used a water soluble acryllic paint stick, color: arctic white, to refurbish the white lines on the knobs for Drake TXany, Collins R390A, and various Icom gear.? Available at artist/craft supply stores.?

Clean knob, push paint into groove for white line, gently wipe with damp cloth parallel to the line to get a nice sharp line on the knob.

Above technique has worked great for me.

- Steve? W7SJT

"Always look for a positive solution then Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome"

- Adaptation of the U.S. Marine Corps motto

"There are no rules here!...We're trying to accomplish something!!"

- Thomas Edison

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal.? It is the courage to continue that counts."

-?Winston Churchill



On Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 07:05:20 AM MDT, Karl du Roi, DK7AL <dk7al@...> wrote:


For such refurbish tasks I have simply taken some colour tins from
Revell M5 or SM301 (white, not shiny) from the nearest hobby shop
dealing with plastic models. The varnish can be applied into the recess
of the knobs as described earlier in this subject.

Best regards.

Karl, DK7AL

On 07.05.23 14:09, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
> Another thing to consider is that if you clean the knobs in an ultrasonic cleaner, the paint will be gone when you¡¯re done.
>
> I¡¯ve been using the putty stick to bring the lines and dots back but am considering going back to paint. Paint is the only way for 2 Line knobs.
>
> Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
>
> Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
>
> Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
>
> On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <[k9sqg@...](mailto:On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <<a href=)> wrote:
>
>> Jerry,
>>
>> Sounds like you are making good progress.
>>
>> As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Evan, K9SQG
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
>> To: [email protected]
>> Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
>> Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs
>>
>> So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio. A 450Hz CW filter. A
>> true work of art. I did not delay in installing it. Had to do some
>> cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
>> original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter. Possibly
>> my Ebay seller. After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
>> separately-saleable filters?
>>
>> It works great. Single-signal CW reception.
>>
>> While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
>> with SSB. It's just one wire tacked to two
>> terminals on the mode switch.
>>
>> I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier. It turned
>> out that the "clip" part had come undone. Now
>> it's nice & tight.
>>
>> Then I did something purely cosmetic: pulled off all the knobs and
>> treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
>> Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch. Those don't seem
>> to have setscrews. How do they come off?
>>
>> The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
>> a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
>> I may want to redo it.
>>
>> - Jerry, KF6VB
>>
>>
>





 

I have found whiteout as used for typing or writing on paper to work very well

KL7AM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl du Roi, DK7AL" <dk7al@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 7, 2023 5:05:05 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] white line on 7 line knobs

For such refurbish tasks I have simply taken some colour tins from
Revell M5 or SM301 (white, not shiny) from the nearest hobby shop
dealing with plastic models. The varnish can be applied into the recess
of the knobs as described earlier in this subject.

Best regards.

Karl, DK7AL

On 07.05.23 14:09, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
Another thing to consider is that if you clean the knobs in an ultrasonic cleaner, the paint will be gone when you¡¯re done.

I¡¯ve been using the putty stick to bring the lines and dots back but am considering going back to paint. Paint is the only way for 2 Line knobs.

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <[k9sqg@...](mailto:On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via groups.io <<a href=)> wrote:

Jerry,

Sounds like you are making good progress.

As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.

73,

Evan, K9SQG

-----Original Message-----
From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs

So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio. A 450Hz CW filter. A
true work of art. I did not delay in installing it. Had to do some
cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter. Possibly
my Ebay seller. After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
separately-saleable filters?

It works great. Single-signal CW reception.

While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
with SSB. It's just one wire tacked to two
terminals on the mode switch.

I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier. It turned
out that the "clip" part had come undone. Now
it's nice & tight.

Then I did something purely cosmetic: pulled off all the knobs and
treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch. Those don't seem
to have setscrews. How do they come off?

The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
I may want to redo it.

- Jerry, KF6VB
 

Markal paint sticks have been around for many years and are available on ebay for cheap

John


On Sun, May 7, 2023 at 11:56?AM KL7AM <w7apm@...> wrote:
I have found whiteout as used for typing or writing on paper to work very well

KL7AM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl du Roi, DK7AL" <dk7al@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 7, 2023 5:05:05 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] white line on 7 line knobs

For such refurbish tasks I have simply taken some colour tins from
Revell M5 or SM301 (white, not shiny) from the nearest hobby shop
dealing with plastic models. The varnish can be applied into the recess
of the knobs as described earlier in this subject.

Best regards.

Karl, DK7AL

On 07.05.23 14:09, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via wrote:
> Another thing to consider is that if you clean the knobs in an ultrasonic cleaner, the paint will be gone when you¡¯re done.
>
> I¡¯ve been using the putty stick to bring the lines and dots back but am considering going back to paint. Paint is the only way for 2 Line knobs.
>
> Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
>
> Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
>
> Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
>
> On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via <[k9sqg=[email protected]](mailto:On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 22:52, Evan via <<a href=)> wrote:
>
>> Jerry,
>>
>> Sounds like you are making good progress.
>>
>> As to the knobs, one of the antique radio vendors sells a white "putty stick" which one can rub onto/into the indicator lines on the knobs. After rubbing in, the excess can be wiped off with a cloth. For the perfectionist, white paint can be used to repaint the pointers. Sometimes just soaking in soap water and light brushing can restore the brightness but rubbing too hard can remove the paint.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Evan, K9SQG
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: jerry-KF6VB <jerry@...>
>> To: [email protected]
>> Sent: Sat, May 6, 2023 10:06 pm
>> Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] TR7 Filters and Knobs
>>
>> So today a care package arrived from Noble Radio. A 450Hz CW filter. A
>> true work of art. I did not delay in installing it. Had to do some
>> cleanup on the filter card; somebody had done a messy remove of its
>> original filters - all except the standard 2.3kHz SSB filter. Possibly
>> my Ebay seller. After all, why sell an INOP rig full of expensive
>> separately-saleable filters?
>>
>> It works great. Single-signal CW reception.
>>
>> While I was in there, I did the mod that lets the carrier control work
>> with SSB. It's just one wire tacked to two
>> terminals on the mode switch.
>>
>> I also fixed the loose coax terminal I mentioned earlier. It turned
>> out that the "clip" part had come undone. Now
>> it's nice & tight.
>>
>> Then I did something purely cosmetic: pulled off all the knobs and
>> treated them to an ultrasonic cleaner bath.
>> Except for the Mode switch and the Aux Program switch. Those don't seem
>> to have setscrews. How do they come off?
>>
>> The white paint inside some of the pointer knobs - white paint inside
>> a groove - is a bit discolored and perished.
>> I may want to redo it.
>>
>> - Jerry, KF6VB
>>
>>
>








 

Steve's technique is the same I used to whiteline literally hundreds of R390A knobs.? With Drake knobs, a trip to the hardware store for some "Blue Magic" polishing compound and a 30 seconds on a buffing wheel will make the knob look factory new. Take a pick or small screwdriver and remove as much of the existing white filler as practical.? Then use a small artist's paintbrush to apply the water-based paint white paint in the knob channel.? Finally, pass the knob / whiteline gently across a flat paper towel left to right in relation to the knob white line to remove excess paint and paint on the plastic surface of the knob.? Use this technique on both the top and front of the knob.

If there is a little paint still on the knob, a new paper towel with a spritz of Windex on it will allow you to clean up the knob and have it looking factory new.

They key here is using water based products.? White ceiling paint looks really great.

I never put any other coating on the white line; it's just too easy to repeat the process above if the need ever arises.? I used this technique on all my Collins gear 30 years ago and "C Line" 15 years ago and it still looks great!

Chuck Rippel
K8HU

--


--
Chuck Rippel, K8HU

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