Does anyone have info for the dial string on a 40's vintage zenith tube radio. There is a big wheel(dial) and a very small pulley where the knob is. Thats it. I just need the number of turns on each and if there is a spring required.

:Does anyone have info for the dial string on a 40's vintage zenith tube radio. There is a big wheel(dial) and a very small pulley where the knob is. Thats it. I just need the number of turns on each and if there is a spring required.

Hi Martin,
Usually dial string information is included with the schematic diagram and alignment procedure. It is probably availiable on this site. You will need the model number or chassis number and look it up under 'Resources.'
Failed dial strings are a very common problem in 1930's and 1940's Zeniths.

Best Regards,

Bill

http://www.theoldradiofixerupperguy.com/dial%20cord.html

Man that is a cool site, thanks. My model is not listed but I think I can find something to work.

:Does anyone have info for the dial string on a 40's vintage zenith tube radio. There is a big wheel(dial) and a very small pulley where the knob is. Thats it. I just need the number of turns on each and if there is a spring required.

On many Zeniths from that era, they used belts rather than dial string. I use large O ring material. Just cut to length to get enough tention then super glue the ends together. Has worked great for me every time.
Jon.

::Does anyone have info for the dial string on a 40's vintage zenith tube radio. There is a big wheel(dial) and a very small pulley where the knob is. Thats it. I just need the number of turns on each and if there is a spring required.
:
: On many Zeniths from that era, they used belts rather than dial string. I use large O ring material. Just cut to length to get enough tention then super glue the ends together. Has worked great for me every time.
:Jon.

You can also scavenge old drive belts out of old VCR's and use them for this as well, there are usually 2 or 3 different sizes in one VCR.
E.

Jon:
Are you talking about those regular "rubber" or synthetic rubber-like round kind of o-rings?
I never thought superglue would work on that kind of material.. let alone hold up to the stress of stretching the material.
If so.. that's great to know.

Or are you perhaps in reference to different material o-rings?

Yes, this sounds like a rubber belt is called for, not a cord. I haven't tried super-gluing O-rings, but I have successfully used the rubber belting sold by RadioDaze. It's 1/8" square in cross-section. Cut it on a bevel and splice it with super glue. By cutting it to fit and splicing, you can avoid having to disassemble the tuning mechanism to get the belt over the end.

RadioDaze sells a kit with 6' of belting and a tube of super glue for $6.50. Or, you can just buy the belting for $0.70/ft and provide your own super glue. The kit comes with instructions, but it's all self explanatory, and instructions shouldn't be necessary.

Cut the belting maybe a hair long, and check the fit before gluing. (You want it snug enough for good traction, but any more tension is not desirable since it puts added stress on the belt and the spice.) You can always slice a bit more off to make it a little shorter.

:Jon:
:Are you talking about those regular "rubber" or synthetic rubber-like round kind of o-rings?
:I never thought superglue would work on that kind of material.. let alone hold up to the stress of stretching the material.
:If so.. that's great to know.
:
:Or are you perhaps in reference to different material o-rings?

:Jon:
:Are you talking about those regular "rubber" or synthetic rubber-like round kind of o-rings?
:I never thought superglue would work on that kind of material.. let alone hold up to the stress of stretching the material.
:If so.. that's great to know.
:
:Or are you perhaps in reference to different material o-rings?

Peter,
Yes it regular O ring material. I get it free from where I work. It is used as drive belts for roller conveyors. Thay get replaced and hundreds are tossed out that are perfectly good to use on radios. They come in several different sizes, some I can use as direct replacements, some I cut to size and glue together. I cut them at an angle to get more glueing surface and have never had one fail.

:Peter,
A super glued regular old o-ring works great. The secret is to use the tiniest bit of super glue that you can manage to get onto one end only. Just a bit too much glue makes a weak joint if you can get it to bond at all. I have seen bank equipment fixit men cut and glue a motor driven gilmer belts where replacing the belt intact would require a major tear down.

Will

great.. well...live and learn.. thanks all.