atmasphere
Active member
If you keep this up there's a good chance it will look better than when it was new...
New Vintage Audio Restoration HQ
- Thread starter Michaels HiFi
- Start date
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #22
Well I just received the latest unit I'm going to try and learn to save.
It's a 1947 NRI (Triplett) Model 67.
I much prefer the testers from the 30's and 40's - much easier for me to try and learn than the 'newer' ones.
It's a metal case so it will be much easier to restore than a wood one falling back on my days of detailing cars.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #23
Bringing the original 1935 leather strap back to life.
I used the same products used on super-expensive saddles and such.
First deep cleaning - but carefully as the leather was brittle and could fall apart.
Then 20+ applications over several days of leather oil applying it heavily and letting it soak in (you can see it soaking in the photo). Keep doing this until it doesn't absorb any more.
Then a manual application of leather Baum to help seal in the moisture and protect the leather from the elements.
I probably spent more on product to try and save it than if I had just had a new one made. LOL
I used the same products used on super-expensive saddles and such.
First deep cleaning - but carefully as the leather was brittle and could fall apart.
Then 20+ applications over several days of leather oil applying it heavily and letting it soak in (you can see it soaking in the photo). Keep doing this until it doesn't absorb any more.
Then a manual application of leather Baum to help seal in the moisture and protect the leather from the elements.
I probably spent more on product to try and save it than if I had just had a new one made. LOL
atmasphere
Active member
Had you considered having someone make a strap for you? If the leather is rotted it can give away without warning.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #25
I have and you're right - I would never trust them due to age. I think that would be an accident waiting to happen.
Even if the strap were fine, I wouldn't trust the screws that go into the wood. They are usually really small and possibly stripped in the wood from previous careless owners.
I never carry by the straps so it's more to preserve the originality and for the fun of restoration. I like the effort involved in bringing it back to life. It's a challenge for me.
Even with my metal military testers with metal handles - I always carry them like a pizza box as I never trust any handles/hinges/hardware that is usually 75-95 years old.