Fw: [Heathkit] Older Heathkit Refinishing

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 21:24:57 -0400

I may be wrong about the aluminum, but based on two things I don't think
they were aluminum.  First was the weight as I said before.  Even the small
knobs had more mass than aluminum would have.  Second was that over the
years aluminum seems to oxidize, turning dark.  The old Heath knobs I've had
never developed that dark, oxidized look.  But I'll defer to the other
fellows who talk like they know what they're talking about.

73, Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Hyder -N4NT-" <[email protected]>
To: "Bill Roberts" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Older Heathkit Refinishing

> I don't think they were aluminum -- memory is that they were too heavy.
> They were the same weight as the chrome ones.  The finish on the first
knobs
> was similar to the brushed look of an old Zippo cigarette lighter.  I got
a
> Mohawk first in 1960.  It had the brushed knobs.  A year later I got the
> Apache kit and it had chrome knobs -- I was fit to be tied and phoned
Heath.
> They asked which ones I wanted and shipped me a new set of brushed knobs
for
> my Apache so the rigs would match.
>
> Also had a Cheyenne/Comanche mobile rig that had the brushed knobs.  In
fact
> I've seen several of those mobile rigs and none of them had chrome knobs.
>
> I still like the brushed ones better.
>
> 73, Mike
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Roberts" <[email protected]>
> To: "Mike Hyder -N4NT-" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 8:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Older Heathkit Refinishing
>
>
> > No, I didn't know that.  I am learning that my Apache knobs may be
> aluminum.
> > So I can not expect a chrome look.  Right?
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Mike Hyder -N4NT-" <[email protected]>
> > To: "Bill Roberts" <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 8:04 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Heathkit] Older Heathkit Refinishing
> >
> >
> > > About knobs. . .
> > >
> > > I suppose you know that the early metal knobs had a brushed look.
Later
> > > came the bright chrome ones.
> > >
> > > 73, Mike N4NT
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Bill Roberts" <[email protected]>
> > > To: "Heathkit QTH Reflector" <[email protected]>
> > > Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 7:22 PM
> > > Subject: [Heathkit] Older Heathkit Refinishing
> > >
> > >
> > > > Good evening.  I have a couple of cosmetic questions.
> > > >
> > > > Does anyone know of a source of glossy Heath green paint?  I have
seen
> > the
> > > > HW and SB series paint which I believe is basically flat.  I'd like
to
> > > > refinish an Apache cabinet which originally, had a shine to it.
> > > >
> > > > Is there a source for "Heathkit" nameplates.  For example, my
recently
> > > > acquired Apache arrived with the plastic 'Heathkit' name broken.
Any
> > > known
> > > > sources?
> > > >
> > > > Finally, does anyone know of a way to brighten up the metal knobs on
> > older
> > > > Heathkits.  Some nicely preserved Apaches, Mohawks, Senecas, etc.
> almost
> > > > appear to have chromed knobs.  Has anyone tried silver polish?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks and best 73.
> > > >
> > > > Bill / K8DXX
>