[Hallicrafters] Unwanted chassis holes!

[Mark Bell]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry Hauser" <barry_hauser at juno.com>
To: <mikesmout at sympatico.ca>
Cc: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 7:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Unwanted chassis holes!

Interesting topic.  Several months ago I acquired a B&W 5100.
Since I'm basically cheap,  the acquired radio will require a complete
restoration (hey, but it *does* work....kinda....).  Sometime in the
radio's past,  the monster taped resistor that provides bias voltages
blew, and the owner added in two pots just like the 5100B has.
Now, the installation is very nice, and it does afford a much better
capability to adjust bias levels, but that's not the way the 5100 was
made.  So, what to do......

> 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.

Agreed.  If all that stands between the current condition of the
radio and an "ohhhh ahhhh  rare museum quality ebay collector
class radio...(yada...yada...yada...)" is that hole, then it might be
worth an attempt to fix the hole as long as you get it done correctly.
This may require specialized skills, and cash outlay,  but if your cash
outlay is $200, and the increased value of the radio is $500, then it
might be worth it.   If this isn't the case,  you may do more harm than
good by doing it yourself if you're not sure what to do.

> 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.  

Goof plugs !!

Now, the aluminum tape idea Barry mentioned is a good one.  But, you'll
probably be able to see it if you look hard enough.  So, what's the
options here?

1)  Leave the hole there.  It's visible, part of the radio's history, but, 
     it's a nice hole.
2)  Use Goof plugs.  When a buyer sees it,  he'll probably know what
     they're there for.
3)  Use solder, tape etc.  Unless you do a real good job,  it will 
     probably stick out like a sore thumb, and act like a beacon.

For my 5100,  I'll probably go with 1 or 2.  I'll probably remount the
two pots under the chassis.

Just my 0.02 worth.

73 Mark K3ZX