Thanks for saving this beauty...I just saved a zenith 1937 console. I'm putting in bluetooth. I can't listen to modern radio and think its perfectly fine to do that.
Good for you. I’m an audio video contractor and enthusiast. I have a few consoles that were basically shells and I did something similar. I placed two Bowers and Wilkins speakers inside of it, installed a night light behind where the dial was and installed some led bulbs. The speakers are powered by an old Denon receiver . I even have a sub hidden next a loveseat. Sounds great. I used a Xantech IR kit to control the receiver. I did what I wanted to because it’s mine. Lastly your idea is a very good one. Sonos ones fit well inside of tombstone radios.
Although I’m not a fan of radios being converted but in a situation like this or something similar and the radio’s electronics is beyond saving I’d say it’s suitable and is a way better alternative then just dumping it.
Its funny. Some of these old radios would either sit and rot to nothing or get tossed into a landfill if it was not for people who save them. Yes a lot of purist want it restored to original. And thats fine. I respect that. But....some people don't have the knowledge to do so. So....if someone saves them by repurposesing them or modernizing them, I dont see the harm! Besides its your money, time, sweat and tears that goes into them. A modern speaker or better yet two sounds better anyway. I am getting ready to modernize a old philco cabinet. Keep on keeping on.
Nothing wrong with merging the antique with the modern where it saves the antique. There's an antique radio in my Mum's garage that she said i could have and restore if possible, if not i will modernise it.
Cool idea! I am considering similar project, sort of working in reverse from where you started. I have raspberry pi computers hooked up to speakers in various rooms around the house. I would prefer them to be enclosed in more elegant looking speaker boxes instead of looking like random electronic junk, so now I'm on the hunt for antique speaker things that I can use for this purpose.
I think this is great. I’m currently working on a vintage Phillips Bakelite Television booster. No one is going to use it for its original purpose but the housing is beautiful. Why not enjoy it?
skip j king on public web site; here is my solution-i had the best of both worlds. I restored authentic radios ,rewired them and had plenty of tubes, capacitors and test equippment-i made them work with original parts. Yet, i also had empty cabinets or incomplete sets that could not possibly be repaired, so i put newer radios in them with often great results.I restored very old radios, and you would be surprised how easy it is if you learn, but are careful to do it right! Now if you really insist on bluetoothing an old cabinet try to find a nice already empty one--and if you feel you must modernize, the sell the chassis to people who want an original-and that will help preservation and your pocket. i live in a retirement community now, but i had a blast doing electronics in my day. If you like this sort of thing, try your best to preserve an original radio and insides and get another with non repairable chassis or empty. lets not try to destroy all those survivors and radio history.at the rate old things in general are being modernized there will be almost nothing left but facades.
I would like to do something similar, but my concept is a bit more ambitious and I definitely don't know how to get there just yet. Let me also make clear that I am not into doing a restoration on the unit that I have. I have an Atwater Kent Model 70 cabinet. I've set aside the original electronics which aren't working, but I'll save them for posterity as I feel like that is important. Someone else may want to do a restoration in the future. I also have an extra HT (home theater) receiver with all the speakers. What I want to do is create a new faceplate for the cabinet that looks authentic to the period, but have the knobs operate the HT receiver inside the cabinet. A base speaker and center speaker are already sitting inside the cabinet. I'd like to make some vintage looking satellite speaker enclosures on pedestals for L&R/Front & Rear. Nothing like that has ever existed, but I thought some old speaker designs from the 20's would work well. Maybe I could fashion some housings that would like the 1928 Crossley Dynacone speakers from holiday cookie tins? Also got an old BSR 6500/X turntable from the 70s. It's not a period match to the Atwater Kent - not even close, but even so I'd like to connect it to the system. I'd just have it sitting on another piece of furniture nearby. It's not a great turnstile, but it has a sentimental attachment to my childhood. The stylus uses the old crystal cartridge, so I'd need to jigger some ceramic to magnetic circuitry and then hook it to a magnetic turntable preamp before finally terminating that to the HT receiver.
I just picked up a small wood tabletop 1940s radio that I’m going to put a smart speaker inside. I’m looking for a led lamp solution to make the dial glow. I’d prefer one that runs off of a battery pack so I don’t have to run a second cord into the radio. Any ideas where I could find this or what to search for on eBay?
I have another video of an old radio conversion where I talk a little bit about the LED light. Maybe that will help. You can definitely connect to a battery pack via USB. With mine, I installed a small power bar in the radio with a USB outlet so there was only one cord going into the radio. And that way I don't have to worry about changing batteries. When wiring the LEDs, you just have to ensure you use the correct resistor for 5V. There is a formula for that you can find online.
I'm actually going to be doing something different: and that's taking a 1920's RCA Radiola Radio with loud speaker and that's having it take Double A batteries and figure out a way to have it also have it do two way communication. This would be a MASSIVE project of mine, but one that's well worth it. the end goal being that I could use it to see if there's alien civilizations out there.
In the end, it boils down to the simple fact that it's your radio. You can use the case for kindling if you want. If some antique purist knowflakes don't like it, well than tough titty.
Apparently you do not understand the concept of STEREO. One cannot get stereo sound from one speaker. One may. of course, port both channels to the same speaker, as you have done, but that is not stereo.
Nor can one win friends and influence people by tossing out random insults on RUclips. The goal and purpose of using that speaker specifically designed for STEREO sound (I guess we are shouting that word. Maybe if we shout at the same time, we will be in STEREO) was clearly to take an old radio designed for one speaker and allow people to listen to both channels of music recorded in stereo. I thought that was clearly communicated and I apologize if it wasn't. You are welcome to undertake the project and install two speakers if you want true STEREO, but the design of the radio itself will hinder that. I in fact did so on another similar project (also found on my channel) and had to face one speaker backwards to get them both to fit. This solution worked much better.
I’m currently building one and have opted for a twin tweeter ceiling speaker with stereo sound hopefully it will work , I know the limitations but it’s worth a shot
@thegreenworkbench Not the same thing, not even intended for the same purpose. You didn't modify his personal cart. 😂 I'm not knocking what you did. I'm considering doing some modifications myself, which led me to find your video. Don't assume criticism. I will say though it probably would bring a lot of criticism in Japan. Especially from elders. I see it as you breathing new life into the radio for good reason.
@ajay6853 I apologize for jumping to conclusions. Thanks for clarifying. When I found the radio, it was in horrible shape and clearly hadn't been touched in decades. Now, it gets used almost every day and is a showpiece whenever we have guests. I hope the original maker is proud that his work has found new life.
@thegreenworkbench No worries man, I get it. People are so critical on RUclips that you almost expect it. I've done the same to people myself in the past. Thanks for making an awesome video! And I'm sure he probably is glad you saved it, better than the alternative. Besides there thousands of those old radios out there that never get a 2nd chance. Nobody is going to miss that one not being in its original form....purists.
I completely restored the casing or body of the radio. The wood was dried out and cracked, the metal was tarnished, and it was a forgotten piece of trash at a flea market. So yes, 100% it was a restoration.
@@jameshochstetler6093 Fair point! Electronic restoration was impossible without sourcing all "new" parts. It was a homemade job in the first place and all parts were degraded beyond use or repair. So it would have to be a new build, not a restoration if I ever did it. But the thing is, I don't want to. AM radio is useless in my area and would never be used. So what's the point? As it is, I use it almost everyday. A new modern life for a beautiful vintage radio. Thanks for watching!
@@thegreenworkbench You are absolutely right about that i have restored a few now replacing all capacitors and resistors and I'm convinced even if you get it completely restored to factory specs it still sounds like crap compared to today's standards. Plus no FM and like you said AM is just about dead.
Thanks for saving this beauty...I just saved a zenith 1937 console. I'm putting in bluetooth. I can't listen to modern radio and think its perfectly fine to do that.
I actually did something similar. I restored a Philco "Butterfly" Radio cabinet and I bought a SONOS ONE smart speaker. Cool project, man.
Good for you. I’m an audio video contractor and enthusiast. I have a few consoles that were basically shells and I did something similar. I placed two Bowers and Wilkins speakers inside of it, installed a night light behind where the dial was and installed some led bulbs. The speakers are powered by an old Denon receiver . I even have a sub hidden next a loveseat. Sounds great. I used a Xantech IR kit to control the receiver. I did what I wanted to because it’s mine. Lastly your idea is a very good one. Sonos ones fit well inside of tombstone radios.
Good job. Thx for sharing
Although I’m not a fan of radios being converted but in a situation like this or something similar and the radio’s electronics is beyond saving I’d say it’s suitable and is a way better alternative then just dumping it.
Its funny. Some of these old radios would either sit and rot to nothing or get tossed into a landfill if it was not for people who save them. Yes a lot of purist want it restored to original. And thats fine. I respect that. But....some people don't have the knowledge to do so. So....if someone saves them by repurposesing them or modernizing them, I dont see the harm! Besides its your money, time, sweat and tears that goes into them. A modern speaker or better yet two sounds better anyway. I am getting ready to modernize a old philco cabinet. Keep on keeping on.
Hopefully you will be able to successfully restore it in the future.
Nothing wrong with merging the antique with the modern where it saves the antique. There's an antique radio in my Mum's garage that she said i could have and restore if possible, if not i will modernise it.
Cool idea!
I am considering similar project, sort of working in reverse from where you started. I have raspberry pi computers hooked up to speakers in various rooms around the house. I would prefer them to be enclosed in more elegant looking speaker boxes instead of looking like random electronic junk, so now I'm on the hunt for antique speaker things that I can use for this purpose.
That will be cool!
I think this is great. I’m currently working on a vintage Phillips Bakelite Television booster. No one is going to use it for its original purpose but the housing is beautiful. Why not enjoy it?
Great job
skip j king on public web site; here is my solution-i had the best of both worlds. I restored authentic radios ,rewired them and had
plenty of tubes, capacitors and test equippment-i made them work with original parts. Yet, i also had empty cabinets or
incomplete sets that could not possibly be repaired, so i put newer radios in them with often great results.I restored very old
radios, and you would be surprised how easy it is if you learn, but are careful to do it right! Now if you really insist on bluetoothing
an old cabinet try to find a nice already empty one--and if you feel you must modernize, the sell the chassis to people who
want an original-and that will help preservation and your pocket. i live in a retirement community now, but i had a blast
doing electronics in my day. If you like this sort of thing, try your best to preserve an original radio and insides and get
another with non repairable chassis or empty. lets not try to destroy all those survivors and radio history.at the rate
old things in general are being modernized there will be almost nothing left but facades.
I like it!
I would like to do something similar, but my concept is a bit more ambitious and I definitely don't know how to get there just yet. Let me also make clear that I am not into doing a restoration on the unit that I have. I have an Atwater Kent Model 70 cabinet. I've set aside the original electronics which aren't working, but I'll save them for posterity as I feel like that is important. Someone else may want to do a restoration in the future.
I also have an extra HT (home theater) receiver with all the speakers. What I want to do is create a new faceplate for the cabinet that looks authentic to the period, but have the knobs operate the HT receiver inside the cabinet. A base speaker and center speaker are already sitting inside the cabinet. I'd like to make some vintage looking satellite speaker enclosures on pedestals for L&R/Front & Rear. Nothing like that has ever existed, but I thought some old speaker designs from the 20's would work well. Maybe I could fashion some housings that would like the 1928 Crossley Dynacone speakers from holiday cookie tins?
Also got an old BSR 6500/X turntable from the 70s. It's not a period match to the Atwater Kent - not even close, but even so I'd like to connect it to the system. I'd just have it sitting on another piece of furniture nearby. It's not a great turnstile, but it has a sentimental attachment to my childhood. The stylus uses the old crystal cartridge, so I'd need to jigger some ceramic to magnetic circuitry and then hook it to a magnetic turntable preamp before finally terminating that to the HT receiver.
That sounds like a really cool project. Good luck!
I just picked up a small wood tabletop 1940s radio that I’m going to put a smart speaker inside. I’m looking for a led lamp solution to make the dial glow. I’d prefer one that runs off of a battery pack so I don’t have to run a second cord into the radio. Any ideas where I could find this or what to search for on eBay?
I have another video of an old radio conversion where I talk a little bit about the LED light. Maybe that will help. You can definitely connect to a battery pack via USB. With mine, I installed a small power bar in the radio with a USB outlet so there was only one cord going into the radio. And that way I don't have to worry about changing batteries. When wiring the LEDs, you just have to ensure you use the correct resistor for 5V. There is a formula for that you can find online.
I'm actually going to be doing something different: and that's taking a 1920's RCA Radiola Radio with loud speaker and that's having it take Double A batteries and figure out a way to have it also have it do two way communication. This would be a MASSIVE project of mine, but one that's well worth it. the end goal being that I could use it to see if there's alien civilizations out there.
I look forward to seeing the end result!
In the end, it boils down to the simple fact that it's your radio. You can use the case for kindling if you want. If some antique purist knowflakes don't like it, well than tough titty.
Apparently you do not understand the concept of STEREO. One cannot get stereo sound from one speaker. One may. of course, port both channels to the same speaker, as you have done, but that is not stereo.
Nor can one win friends and influence people by tossing out random insults on RUclips. The goal and purpose of using that speaker specifically designed for STEREO sound (I guess we are shouting that word. Maybe if we shout at the same time, we will be in STEREO) was clearly to take an old radio designed for one speaker and allow people to listen to both channels of music recorded in stereo. I thought that was clearly communicated and I apologize if it wasn't. You are welcome to undertake the project and install two speakers if you want true STEREO, but the design of the radio itself will hinder that. I in fact did so on another similar project (also found on my channel) and had to face one speaker backwards to get them both to fit. This solution worked much better.
I’m currently building one and have opted for a twin tweeter ceiling speaker with stereo sound hopefully it will work , I know the limitations but it’s worth a shot
I was looking for this. Dvc doesn’t mean it’s stereo but it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of just trying to save this little radio
The guy who made this originally is rolling in his grave, screaming technological blasphemy😂
So is the guy who invented the handcart everytime you start your car. 🤣
@thegreenworkbench Not the same thing, not even intended for the same purpose. You didn't modify his personal cart. 😂 I'm not knocking what you did. I'm considering doing some modifications myself, which led me to find your video. Don't assume criticism. I will say though it probably would bring a lot of criticism in Japan. Especially from elders. I see it as you breathing new life into the radio for good reason.
@ajay6853 I apologize for jumping to conclusions. Thanks for clarifying. When I found the radio, it was in horrible shape and clearly hadn't been touched in decades. Now, it gets used almost every day and is a showpiece whenever we have guests. I hope the original maker is proud that his work has found new life.
@thegreenworkbench No worries man, I get it. People are so critical on RUclips that you almost expect it. I've done the same to people myself in the past. Thanks for making an awesome video! And I'm sure he probably is glad you saved it, better than the alternative. Besides there thousands of those old radios out there that never get a 2nd chance. Nobody is going to miss that one not being in its original form....purists.
Please don't call this a restoration this is a re-build or reverse engineering or re-model but NOT a restoration!
I completely restored the casing or body of the radio. The wood was dried out and cracked, the metal was tarnished, and it was a forgotten piece of trash at a flea market. So yes, 100% it was a restoration.
@@thegreenworkbench Electronically not restored so NOT 100% sorry
@@jameshochstetler6093 Fair point! Electronic restoration was impossible without sourcing all "new" parts. It was a homemade job in the first place and all parts were degraded beyond use or repair. So it would have to be a new build, not a restoration if I ever did it. But the thing is, I don't want to. AM radio is useless in my area and would never be used. So what's the point? As it is, I use it almost everyday. A new modern life for a beautiful vintage radio. Thanks for watching!
@@thegreenworkbench You are absolutely right about that i have restored a few now replacing all capacitors and resistors and I'm convinced even if you get it completely restored to factory specs it still sounds like crap compared to today's standards. Plus no FM and like you said AM is just about dead.