[Collins] 75A-2/A-3 cabinet?

[Joe Eide]

Hi Eugene,

You can squeeze a 51J-* / R388 into a 75A-2/3 cabinet.  It is not as 
deep as the correct cabinet so there are 3 studs with wing nuts that 
will interfere with the small opening in the 75A-2/3 cabinet.  You might 
be able to screw those studs or screws back into the chassis, but as I 
remember, one may make contact with a tube socket, so you have to be 
careful to inspect them.  I am a bit of a purest, so I would hate to see 
you cut up the cabinet.

As to the over spray, if that is all it needs (and not a complete 
re-winkle), you should still be able to get a can of St. James gray 
paint from Surplus Sales of  Nebraska.  Their paint is a little flatter 
than the normal paint was when new (flat meaning non gloss) and so it 
seems to match old paint well for over spray without contrasting the 
front panel to badly.  If you go that route, an over spray should be 
applied very lightly from a distance. You don't want to fill in what 
wrinkle is left after all these years.  When you have applied a coat 
that visibly hides the imperfections, you have probably gone to far 
already!!!!!!  It is much better to apply to little than to much.  You 
will find that the paint covers much better as it dries than it appears 
during the application.  Make sure that cabinet is clean before you do 
the over spray.  You may consider using Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom 
cleaner to clean the old paint and then promptly flush thoroughly with 
hot water.  Don't let the cleaner get on anything else like the front 
panel, or non-Collins St. James Gray, as it will/may damage it.  (You 
may want to clean the cabinet with a brush and dish soap first to see if 
it really needs over spray.  The Scrubbings Bubbles will really clean 
the paint, but may dull it so that it demands over spray)

If the wrinkle is gouged or chipped badly, the over spray will give 
marginal results and may actually look worse because now the non 
wrinkled areas will be accentuated.  Wrinkle finishing is an art to 
some.  Some people use a powder coat with a texture and that renders a 
beautiful and painless finish.  Personally, I only find wrinkle painting 
to satisfy my want for an original look.

Thanks for listening to my opinions and good luck,

Joe - KB9R


Eugene Hertz wrote:

>Hi there, just acquired a cabinet on ebay # 5878592512
>
>can anyone confirm that this can be used for a 51J-4? Thats what I have, but didnt want to pass up this cabinet if it would fit.
>
>Also, the seller mentions that it could use an overspray. Does anyone know if I can find a can of spray paint that matches and do this myself? Or does one need special airbrush equipment or powder coating equipment (if so, I'll forgoe the overspray).  Has anyone gotten good results with a spray can?
>
>thanks
>Eugene
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Collins mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/collins
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
>Post: mailto:Collins at mailman.qth.net
>
>
>
>
>  
>