[Hallicrafters] Unwanted chassis holes!

[Barry Hauser]

Hi Mike:

> How greatly, does an "owner drilled" hole in a chassis affect the value
of a radio.

Depends ... I wouldn't worry about it. It's not like a hack job on the
front panel.

> ... I thought that I might place a "slug" with the same 
> dimensions in the hole and solder it in after cleaning the surfaces 
> with acid etc. Then if need be, try to blend it in with whatever 
> methods I can come up with. The hole is clean.

I recommend against doing soldering.  If it bothers you, you might be
able to find one of those snap-in caps that are used to close up access
holes and unused mounting holes for alternate models.  They still make
them in a variety of diameters.  

Another alternative -- that thick self-adhering aluminum tape used for
bandaging mufflers.  Use something of larger diameter -- maybe 1 1/2 - 1
3/4 inches to scribe a circle and cut with tin snips or a good pair of
scissors.  Don't wrinkle it while your handling the thing.  Then just
apply.  The adhesive is quite grabby and heat resistant.

You're apt to do more harm than good by trying to solder it and it won't
be any neater.  

If you want to do more to make that hole seemingly disappear (maybe), try
some plastic steel, plastic aluminum or JB Weld.  Put something
underneath the chassis at that point -- above that cap -- and "spackle"
the hole closed.  Let it set and then finish off with Scotch-Brite or
sandpaper. 

Or maybe just leave it there for ventilation. Or install a dummy FP can
capacitor -- hollowed out so you can hide money in it, or the combination
to your safe.  Just be sure to remove whatever's in there before you sell
or trade.  ;-)

Barry

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