[Hallicrafters] Equipped for basic repairs?

[Chuck McGregor]

Alan-
I would agree with Glen's comments, but first and foremost get a good 
temperature controlled soldering iron with a range of tips suitable for the 
work you plan to do.  A small tip suitable for work on etched circuit 
boards won't handle the job of soldering octal socket lugs well.  An much 
heavier tip helps with soldering (or unsoldering) ground points on a 
chassis, or the ground lugs of twist-lok electrolytics.  The thermostatic 
temperature control provides heat when you need it without overheating the 
iron between joints,  and keeps you from overheating the parts you are 
soldering.  Also a good supply of solder-wik for desoldering small 
joints,  and a solder-sucker for the big ones.

A capacitor checker is very nice to have for testing caps and also 
reforming electrolytics.  There are several heathkit models that turn up 
for around $15 at hamfests.

For a useful book, I suggest finding a copy of : "Elements of Radio 
Servicing" by Marcus and Levy,  McGraw-Hill 1947, 1955   This book 
discusses vacuum toob radios, stage by stage, with much useful information 
and troubleshooting advice.

--Chuck  N7RHU