[Hallicrafters] Novice Seeking Recapping Advice

[Greg]

Before you get going on this project you should know what the objective is. 
If you want it tossed into your grave with you or are you going to run it 
for a year or two?
There isn't any best way to do the job but there are some things you can't 
avoid.
Don't use a low wattage iron like a 30 Watter, those are made for circuit 
boards. Use a 60 watt or better and use flux for the heavy soldering like 
ground lugs.  American Beauty makes good irons and you can get them used at 
alot of flea markets.
If you can completely remove the old lead, clear the eyelet and hook in the 
new lead that will be the best solder joint.  I say if because not all of 
the radio circuit will allow you to do that.  You have to wrap on to the old 
lead in some circumstances. You'll see.
Suggest you do the work in stages because you will probably make a wiring 
error along the way and this technique will cut down on your head scratching 
time.
Do the power supply electrolytics first then verify the power supply is 
working ok.
Next is the audio section, not more than a few caps here. Then verify the 
audio is working (better now?)
Then anything associated with IF bandwidth.
Then what ever is left.
Besure to clear out all the paper caps and black beauties if you have those 
stinkers.
Leave the RF capacitors alone unless you want a real headache.  I really 
don't recommend shot gunning small value non polarized caps.
I wouldn't shot gun the resistors either. Nearly all of them will be in 
tolerance and even a little slop won't affect a tube rig anyway.  Go thru 
and measure the ohms then compare with the schematic.  Take a good look at 
the power resistors and give them a wiggle to see if they are going to fall 
apart from a lifetime of heat. Beleve it or not the biggest failure sources 
for old tube gear is electromechanical parts such as headphone jacks, 
bandswitches (big time) switches and tube sockets. A close second is old dry 
capacitors. Last is the tubes.
In short: Determine what level you want to go to, Do it in steps with the 
right equipment and test after every step.
Good luck
It's alot of fun
Greg
WA7LYO
Kinston NC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lucek,Rudolph" <lucek at akaRX.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 2:22 PM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Novice Seeking Recapping Advice




I am planning to begin my first restoration project on an SX110 that I
purchased on Ebay.  I have not done a restoration before and would
appreciate any advice anyone could offer.  The unit is in very good
shape and after doing a general cleaning I plan to recap it.  To replace
the capacitors should I unsolder them completely or can I cut the
original leads leaving the leads soldered in place and splice in the new
capacitors?  It seems that splicing would be easier but is it the best
way to do the job?  Should I replace all the resistors or should I
replace only those that test out of tolerance?  Any guidance anyone can
offer in tackling my first project would be appreciated.  Thanks, Rudy
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