Hi, After about 20 minutes, I have a fading problem with a Zenith H722 FM only radio. I'm guessing it has the dreaded silver mica disease but I can't get the dial to come off its shaft. It seems to be stuck on tight and I am not willing to use a screwdriver or other tool to remove it because the radio is in pretty good shape otherwise. Is there any way to get the knob off without marring the radio's face or breaking the dial? The radio is a good performer and even has decent tone. I only wish it were a little smaller like my Granco 610, also a good sounding radio with decent performance.

Hi Anthony,
This is a common problem. I have taken cloth and wrapped it around the offending dial or knobb and pull the cloth.
After tugging and patience I have had them come off.
As you already know screw drivers are a problem. On really tough ones I have taken a nail puller and place a cloth against the bakelite. If it takes too much prying, I woudl abandon that though. Cracks can never be fixed properly.

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

I have turned radios on the side to squirt an oil around the knob and let it soak for a while, overnight. One time I had a very expensive catalin that would not come out of its case. It was the Sentinel Wavy grill model. I used oil on the sides and let it sit for a day or two. Then with a mallet pounded gently on the knobs deals until it came loose. It came out after a bit. Then I used a belt grinder on the metal chassis sides to get it back in. And it worked.

It's a good thing I asked, because I don't think I would have thought to try using a cloth to pull off the knob. I will try a combination of these suggestions to see if the offending knob can be coaxed off the shaft. Thank you.