rebuilding tube amplifers and radios - some questions on capacitors / tube sockets

I'm rebuilding an old 1954 Wurlitzer amp (model 524HF). I have the
schematic, and a rebuild kit which contains replacement capacitors and
tubes.

No matter how hard I try, I can only find 30 out of 35 capacitors.
Some of the capacitors look similar to resistors. I know the
multi-cap cans have four capacitors each (there are two). My technique
in finding capacitors has been to start with things like the tubes and
then trace out from these easy to find components.

I took a digital picture of the underside of the amp and printed the
graphic at 11" x 17" and then used the sheet to capture component
values and show progress in the rebuild. I have a DMM and desoldering
iron (Weller).

So on to my questions:

1. Do people drill out the capacitor band rivets for the larger wax
covered capacitors when they're replaced? The replacement capacitors
are significantly smaller (axial tubes). Do people just cut or snip
off the band and leave the rivets in place?

2. Do people leave the large mult-cap cans in place and just add the
new capacitors underneath? I know some die-hard radio restoration
people put new capacitors in these cans and then re-fill with wax. I
haven't seen jukebox people do this level of restoration.

3. On tube sockets, I have some corrosion on two of my tube sockets.
What do people use to clean and improve electrical contact? Does
anyone know a source of small brass pipe cleaners brushes.

Thanks in advance, you folks are always a huge help.

Fred:

1. Your choice. Is the restoration electrical, or also cosmetic? In any
case, if the box is not going to experience shipping or rough handling, the
mechanical support of the newer smaller and lighter replacement capacitors
may not be necessary.

2. You need to disconnect the old can type capacitors and install terminal
strips (usually) to tie the new capacitors to. The old capacitors are no
problem 75% of the time, but they can develop shorts and there goes an
expensive power transformer. Not necessary to physically remove them, just
disconnect the + connections (pins).

3. Pipe cleaners and Caig Deoxit D5 to clean, then wash with a plain
cleaner (Freon if you have it) then another pipe cleaner with ProGold G5 to
preserve.

Sorry I can't help you with the missing capacitors, as I am not familiar
with that particular chassis. Your technique is what we all use, I guess,
never really thought about it.

--
Crazy George
Remove N O and S P A M imbedded in return address
"Fred" wrote in message
om...
I'm rebuilding an old 1954 Wurlitzer amp (model 524HF). I have the
schematic, and a rebuild kit which contains replacement capacitors and
tubes.

No matter how hard I try, I can only find 30 out of 35 capacitors.
Some of the capacitors look similar to resistors. I know the
multi-cap cans have four capacitors each (there are two). My technique
in finding capacitors has been to start with things like the tubes and
then trace out from these easy to find components.

I took a digital picture of the underside of the amp and printed the
graphic at 11" x 17" and then used the sheet to capture component
values and show progress in the rebuild. I have a DMM and desoldering
iron (Weller).

So on to my questions:

1. Do people drill out the capacitor band rivets for the larger wax
covered capacitors when they're replaced? The replacement capacitors
are significantly smaller (axial tubes). Do people just cut or snip
off the band and leave the rivets in place?

2. Do people leave the large mult-cap cans in place and just add the
new capacitors underneath? I know some die-hard radio restoration
people put new capacitors in these cans and then re-fill with wax. I
haven't seen jukebox people do this level of restoration.

3. On tube sockets, I have some corrosion on two of my tube sockets.
What do people use to clean and improve electrical contact? Does
anyone know a source of small brass pipe cleaners brushes.

Thanks in advance, you folks are always a huge help.

I think there are a few that look like fat plastic resistors with color
bands. The dreaded Sprague Black Beauty caps. I know my model 532 amp had
some.

See the picture titled "Molded paper" at
http://www.antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

Ken D.

"Fred" wrote in message
om...
I'm rebuilding an old 1954 Wurlitzer amp (model 524HF). I have the
schematic, and a rebuild kit which contains replacement capacitors and
tubes.

No matter how hard I try, I can only find 30 out of 35 capacitors.
Some of the capacitors look similar to resistors. I know the
multi-cap cans have four capacitors each (there are two). My technique
in finding capacitors has been to start with things like the tubes and
then trace out from these easy to find components.

I took a digital picture of the underside of the amp and printed the
graphic at 11" x 17" and then used the sheet to capture component
values and show progress in the rebuild. I have a DMM and desoldering
iron (Weller).

So on to my questions:

1. Do people drill out the capacitor band rivets for the larger wax
covered capacitors when they're replaced? The replacement capacitors
are significantly smaller (axial tubes). Do people just cut or snip
off the band and leave the rivets in place?

2. Do people leave the large mult-cap cans in place and just add the
new capacitors underneath? I know some die-hard radio restoration
people put new capacitors in these cans and then re-fill with wax. I
haven't seen jukebox people do this level of restoration.

3. On tube sockets, I have some corrosion on two of my tube sockets.
What do people use to clean and improve electrical contact? Does
anyone know a source of small brass pipe cleaners brushes.

Thanks in advance, you folks are always a huge help.