Hi

i have a radiolette 500M, similar to:

http://leonardjoel.com.au/lot_details.php?lot=95674&view=results&year=2010&offset=100

i am currently trying to clean it and re string it, but I cant seem to be able to take out the centre round bakelite dial out.
i have tried turning it in hope its screwed on but it doesnt seem to travel much. I tried to prize it out but I dont want to force it too much...there isnt a grub screw in place either......does anyone know if there is a trick to taking this out?

cheers
marc

The later 516M had a grub screw on the dial pointer though the earlier two models made do with a split in the bakelite held together with a spring.

There is only one way to get the dial pointer off without buggering that or the dial glass and that is extreme care.

Your success with this maneouvre will also depend on the structural integrity of the dial pointer. If the bakelite is in good nick and it is a dark brown one then you have the best possible chance of getting it off in one piece. A coloured set and your best bet is 5 bob each way as urea-based bakelite isn't as stable as the phenol-based stuff that brown bakelite is made of.

The dial pointer is not screwed onto the shaft in itself. How it is attached depends on the model. The 500M/MY pointers are pressed on with an interference fit. You can simply prize the pointer off, with due care as per the images below. In the 516M as shown below, the pointer is pressed on as per the previous models though there is also a grub screw.

In the first image you can see the chassis removed from the cabinet and a screwdriver in place ready to help prize out the dial pointer. Don't worry about the tuning condenser, it will take the punishment better than most components.

Image 2 shows a closeup of where to position the screwdriver so the pressed metal pulley doesn't get bent.



If your tuning dial has a spring clip attached you will need to remove this with long-nose pliers before going ahead with removing the dial pointer.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Thanks for the tip Brad....

i will have to be extra careful as it is a white white.
i might try a little lanolin on far a few days before I attempt anything...

cheers
marc

Thanks again for your help....
mission succesfully accomplished....no casualties.

cheers
met