How to prepare a Tube Radio Restoration, and how to keep a record of the project.

I have received numerous requests from channel viewers to describe some of the steps that I take when preparing to start a new Tube Radio restoration project. This video is my response. I'll show you how I decide on the viability of a project, where to get service manuals and other info online, and also how I keep a digital record of my restoration process using commonly available free software.
Hope this helps you on your journey.

Here are some links to the service manual sites I mention in the video:

You can now support the channel:

#tuberadios #antiqueradio #radiorestoration

______HUNDREDS OF OTHER VIDEOS TO CHOOSE FROM_____
DIY TEST GEAR: The title says it all:

RESTORATION BUILDING BLOCKS: A series of videos showing detailed steps used the restoration process of tube equipment:

HowTo's: Various videos on some simple techniques and projects:

See also playlists on some other completed restoration projects.

PHILIPS BX750A:

TELEFUNKEN OPUS 2114:

SABA UW-175-Z 3D:

GRUNDIG 1070:

SCHAUB-LORENZ GOLDY 58 type 3020:

BUSH VHF64:

GRUNDIG 3060A:

TELEFUNKEN OPERETTE 8:

GRAETZ SUPER 171W:

LOEWE-OPTA MAGNET 3737W:

BRAUN ATELIER 3:

LOEWE-OPTA TRUXA STEREO 4741W:

GRAETZ COMEDIA 616:

SABA FREIBURG W2:

GRAETZ MUSICA 4R417:

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CAPACITOR LEAKAGE TESTER:

[Druidor]

Enjoying your videos, they are turning into a full compendium of information for someone looking to get into classic radio restorations.

This video is priceless, knowing where to get diagrams and manuals is imho the biggest hurdle. next is where to get components.

[anandarochisha]

You have a great channel, Manuel..you are doing a great service for the technologically oriented crowd that love these specimens of how the world heard itself expressed through the airwaves...like magic. Thanks for keeping the magic alive.

[careycraig]

Excellent Video! To be brief, I took a couple of years training in "Radio&T.V" Electronics back in the mid 1970's. Tube theory and Electronics using Tubes was popular at the time. I am just getting back into Radio Electronic via HAM RADIO which I have been part of since the early 80's. That said my ambitions are set at this time toward the restoration of a piece of WWII Radio equipment, namely a MARCONI WIRELESS SET No.52. The proper approach to a Good Restoration is so Very Important. Your Computer aided approach with schematics put ideas into my head, as I too have been working " OLD SCHOOL " with paper drawings. Just one interesting fact about the WWII Marconi WS No.52, the complete radio TRX&RCR in its case weighs " 255 Pounds " that is a lot of Radio and a Lot of RESTORATION! Looking forward to other videos you may put out!

[billmartin]

Just bumbled into you YouTube page. I’ve a a slightly sick Normandy table radio I brought back from Germany as a flea market or garage sale item. I’ve been a valve nut all my life due from the heat, red glow and that memorable hot valve smell. Thank you for lots of info I need.

From Bill Martin, aka KA1TIU from Beautiful, downtowne Luverne Minnesota. ‘73 and cheers!

[Michlag]

I use also Elektrotanya, they are a great resource for service manuals, for everything

[BjornV]

13:50 When you come across a protected file, like a pdf in this case, you can try this trick :
Open the pdf and choose to print again to pdf, and then choose only the page(s) with the schematics that you want. The result is a pdf with only the schematics, and this pdf should be editable. Personally i use Windows, and i have CutePDF installed to print to pdf.
Another solution would be to open pdf with the schematics on full screen, and make a screenshot.
Nice video about the step by step to start a project. Grtz

[pibbles-a-plenty]

Oh, huey! Never having taken a gym class is not good preparation for entering the Olympics. Having seen this over and over again the only way to be successful at restoring old radios is to be damn good at studying to learn AND be be able to overcome failure without regrets piling up. Good luck, DIYers!

[erin]

Most of the vintage equipment information I work on comes from my 50 years of experience. I use an iPad to search what I need to know and photograph any and all data from internet data. I do like to study schematics before I begin and I make and keep notes on each phase of restoration. I like those black and white speckled composition copy books for written hand work.

[mackfisher]

Thanks for passing on some good info and insides into of your process Manuel.
My guess for the big reveal is the Saba Stereo 1 SRI-16 or
Grundig SO 302 Stereo Console (This one is so big it wouldn't fit in the elevator)

[josephmagedanz]

Thanks for all the tips...very generous and helpful.

[RocRizzo]

Great video. I like the way you keep organized. Personally, I also like to take many photos of the radio, before I take things apart. I don't do videos, so the still photos will have to do. It has proven helpful many times.

[nazeerabdulrahuman]

As always thank you for sharing the very useful informations

[ricardoaliasdelatorre]

Thank you, the info is always a treasure. Give us a clue about next week project... One of those big as a wardrobe, 😮😮 hi-end pick up, radio+amplifier+speakers, that promises so much fun 🎉🎉😊😊

[markdunstan]

These are great videos I love them and always watch

[prutser]

Thanks for this information. I bought an Blaupunkt Florenz radio. Maybe i give it a try. It powers on but one channel is bad and it plays not very loud. I have many capacators and resistors as well as tubes.

[SpinStar]

Great video, great ideas and grateful that you shared with us!
Thanks & 73... 😀

[neddi]

~ 14:00 : You can get the one Site from a PDF even faster, by Printing the Page into a PDF-File.

Btw. GREAT Channel, so Thanks ;)

[KZEK]

Very nice explanation. Have a great time away. Blessings. Leo 😂😂😂😂 just noticed this is a old video. LOL Hope you "had" a good time 😊

[ericklassen]

Thank you for well-done video... things I never knew. Would you consider make a video to help beginners stock their shelf with common parts and not waste money on things that just take up room. The common items, like caps, and the number of units for each makes the restoration hobby more fun and lessfrustratiing. Amazon has cap kits and resistor kits but there are items that rarely get used. Thanks for considering this request. Btw, your source for obtaining circuit drawings is fantastic!!

[markbrownfield]

This is very helpful, as always! Cheers