[Milsurplus] Naval radio experts: captive screws and other mysteries

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

I've heard this bemoaned on the list before: getting those $#@%&*!
panel screws free of their little holders on old Navy receivers and
the like. So I'm asking for the secret.

This last weekend at the Hosstraders hamfest I was able to pick up a
R-649 Coast Guard LF receiver to use as a parts donor for my later A
model. It's a restorable radio, but with all of the tubes missing and
the need for a facelift, my plan is to use the parts from it to
restore mine. No major surgery required, so it may still rise again
later.

It has the nice chrome plated screws with the knurled heads, most of
them anyway (missing 3). Mine has none, so obviously a swap is in
order unless someone knows where to get duplicate screws. I have no
idea what the thread is, other than it's a lot smaller than I
expected. Those little round clips on the back look mighty miserable
to remove, doesn't appear to be any way to get them off without
trashing them.

Also curious about the secret behind those gray rubber-coated toggle
switches. How in the heck does one get the rubber off to change a
switch? Do they make replacement rubbers?

Best part is that it came with the knobs needed to repair the damaged
ones on mine, as well as the terminal strips for power and audio,
removed from the back. The rails are still mounted on the unhacked
cabinet too, just need to find those big shock-type mounts - Berry
mounts?

Thanks - 

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ