I am wondering if anyone here knows what year asbestos started being used in some radios.It seems to me to be mostly in 1940's-50's sets with the metal tubes (6SQ7'S ETC......)or the AC/DC SETS.The reason I am asking is because I have a Silvertone 6146 chassis from 1938 or 39 and it has some stuff stuck on the bottom edge and bolt tab of the chassis.It is probably nothing ,dust or cotton ,but I am worried.This chassis has the big shoulder tubes and shields.I am also looking at another radio (pictures)that I may buy. The model is unknown but it has the large shoulder tubes and shields ,however there is a greyish membrane inside the wood cabinet on the sides ,maybe the top (can't see)the cabinet is coming apart (bad shape).I am wondering if this is sheet metal or asbestos.I have one of those little Philco's (model ??) with the rounded top with push buttons and knobs on side that has a piece of sheet metal under the chassis.At first I thought it was asbestos.

:I am wondering if anyone here knows what year asbestos started being used in some radios.It seems to me to be mostly in 1940's-50's sets with the metal tubes (6SQ7'S ETC......)or the AC/DC SETS.The reason I am asking is because I have a Silvertone 6146 chassis from 1938 or 39 and it has some stuff stuck on the bottom edge and bolt tab of the chassis.It is probably nothing ,dust or cotton ,but I am worried.This chassis has the big shoulder tubes and shields.I am also looking at another radio (pictures)that I may buy. The model is unknown but it has the large shoulder tubes and shields ,however there is a greyish membrane inside the wood cabinet on the sides ,maybe the top (can't see)the cabinet is coming apart (bad shape).I am wondering if this is sheet metal or asbestos.I have one of those little Philco's (model ??) with the rounded top with push buttons and knobs on side that has a piece of sheet metal under the chassis.At first I thought it was asbestos.
:
Note: As a installer I've crawled through pounds of asbestos, especially in schools, office buildings and churches. Remember flipping a pencil up to see if it stuck in one of the holes in the asbestos tile in the classroom. I've never had any negative effect from asbestos, nor heard of any one I've worked with during those years suffering from Mesothelioma. Sometimes I think it's a condition made up by a bunch of lawyers, except of course they would never do anything like that.
I HAVE had LOTS of problems from crawling through fiberglass. Even with masks I've noticed difficulty breathing after coming out of an attic full of the stuff.
Terry

::I am wondering if anyone here knows what year asbestos started being used in some radios.It seems to me to be mostly in 1940's-50's sets with the metal tubes (6SQ7'S ETC......)or the AC/DC SETS.The reason I am asking is because I have a Silvertone 6146 chassis from 1938 or 39 and it has some stuff stuck on the bottom edge and bolt tab of the chassis.It is probably nothing ,dust or cotton ,but I am worried.This chassis has the big shoulder tubes and shields.I am also looking at another radio (pictures)that I may buy. The model is unknown but it has the large shoulder tubes and shields ,however there is a greyish membrane inside the wood cabinet on the sides ,maybe the top (can't see)the cabinet is coming apart (bad shape).I am wondering if this is sheet metal or asbestos.I have one of those little Philco's (model ??) with the rounded top with push buttons and knobs on side that has a piece of sheet metal under the chassis.At first I thought it was asbestos.
::
:
:My Brunswick 5KR was made in 1928. It has an asbestos pad under the power supply.
:Note: As a installer I've crawled through pounds of asbestos, especially in schools, office buildings and churches. Remember flipping a pencil up to see if it stuck in one of the holes in the asbestos tile in the classroom. I've never had any negative effect from asbestos, nor heard of any one I've worked with during those years suffering from Mesothelioma. Sometimes I think it's a condition made up by a bunch of lawyers, except of course they would never do anything like that.
:I HAVE had LOTS of problems from crawling through fiberglass. Even with masks I've noticed difficulty breathing after coming out of an attic full of the stuff.
:Terry
:Thanks Terry! I get itchy just thinking about that fiberglass insulation!!

I have a 1933 midget with an asbestos pad glued under the lid, above the 43 output tube.

Asbestos is certainly a problem if it becomes airborne, but that's not likely for a pad glued into a radio. Leave it there and it won't bother anybody.

My thinking is that asbestos was first used in AC-powered radios.

I spent a time in a 1940s vintage navy destroyer, standing watches in a fireroom. When the guns were fired, all kinds of powdered insulation would rain down on us. I could probably find lawyers to sue on my behalf. But before any settlement, I would probably die first of natural causes.

An asbestos pad in a radio cabinet? Forget about it and sleep soundly. Or, hire a lawyer - he'll take care of you.

:I am wondering if anyone here knows what year asbestos started being used in some radios.It seems to me to be mostly in 1940's-50's sets with the metal tubes (6SQ7'S ETC......)or the AC/DC SETS.The reason I am asking is because I have a Silvertone 6146 chassis from 1938 or 39 and it has some stuff stuck on the bottom edge and bolt tab of the chassis.It is probably nothing ,dust or cotton ,but I am worried.This chassis has the big shoulder tubes and shields.I am also looking at another radio (pictures)that I may buy. The model is unknown but it has the large shoulder tubes and shields ,however there is a greyish membrane inside the wood cabinet on the sides ,maybe the top (can't see)the cabinet is coming apart (bad shape).I am wondering if this is sheet metal or asbestos.I have one of those little Philco's (model ??) with the rounded top with push buttons and knobs on side that has a piece of sheet metal under the chassis.At first I thought it was asbestos.
:Thankyou Gentlemen for info!

If you are really worried about asbestos you can simply wet it down and remove it...If you plan on restoring an radio and letting radio run so various wooden parts above areas get hot enough for concern..then i would leave it...but who today runs and old radio after restoration for hrs anymore?

::I am wondering if anyone here knows what year asbestos started being used in some radios.It seems to me to be mostly in 1940's-50's sets with the metal tubes (6SQ7'S ETC......)or the AC/DC SETS.The reason I am asking is because I have a Silvertone 6146 chassis from 1938 or 39 and it has some stuff stuck on the bottom edge and bolt tab of the chassis.It is probably nothing ,dust or cotton ,but I am worried.This chassis has the big shoulder tubes and shields.I am also looking at another radio (pictures)that I may buy. The model is unknown but it has the large shoulder tubes and shields ,however there is a greyish membrane inside the wood cabinet on the sides ,maybe the top (can't see)the cabinet is coming apart (bad shape).I am wondering if this is sheet metal or asbestos.I have one of those little Philco's (model ??) with the rounded top with push buttons and knobs on side that has a piece of sheet metal under the chassis.At first I thought it was asbestos.
::Thankyou Gentlemen for info!
:

:If you are really worried about asbestos you can simply wet it down and remove it...If you plan on restoring an radio and letting radio run so various wooden parts above areas get hot enough for concern..then i would leave it...but who today runs and old radio after restoration for hrs anymore?
:
:
Hi George,

I like to restore H723 AM/FM radios. These get modern FM. I resore them to be played for hours and hours. I have two in my home. They run for hours and hours, have done for on one case 5 years.
These have asbestos pads in them sometimes when I get them. I always remove them, bag them up and throw them away. I replace them with electrostatic foam. It does the same heat dispersing job as the asbestos. without it I get a hot spot above the 35C5 tube.

Since I expect these radios to be played, that seems like the most responsible thing to do. Moreover, I wouldn't feel right selling something on eBay that I knoew had asbestos in it.

Best Regards,

Bill

A good friend died a horrible death from mesothelioma. Part of his exposure was from old radios and a maintenance job at an aging meat packing plant, but primary exposure was in a factory shop in the 60's and adequate precautions weren't followed in high exposure conditions. Wear a secure mask, exhaust vent the room and use water dampening if you feel compelled to remove asbestos from a radio, leaving it undisturbed or encapsulating is ok too. Asbestos liability is the reason Manville moved their headquarters to Canada.

::If you are really worried about asbestos you can simply wet it down and remove it...If you plan on restoring an radio and letting radio run so various wooden parts above areas get hot enough for concern..then i would leave it...but who today runs and old radio after restoration for hrs anymore?
::
::
:Hi George,
:
:I like to restore H723 AM/FM radios. These get modern FM. I resore them to be played for hours and hours. I have two in my home. They run for hours and hours, have done for on one case 5 years.
:These have asbestos pads in them sometimes when I get them. I always remove them, bag them up and throw them away. I replace them with electrostatic foam. It does the same heat dispersing job as the asbestos. without it I get a hot spot above the 35C5 tube.
:
:Since I expect these radios to be played, that seems like the most responsible thing to do. Moreover, I wouldn't feel right selling something on eBay that I knoew had asbestos in it.
:
:Best Regards,
:
:Bill
: