1950 General Electric clock radio 

       Analog Dial                
 
General Electric Model 518
A restored General Electric Model 518 clock radio, manufactured in 1950.
 
GE 518 clock radio
Two of these radios were bought (cheaply) on ebay. One was to be
restored and the other was for parts, specifically the knobs on the clock. They are usually missing at least one knob, ergo the cheap price.
filthy knob
Handling the volume control knob was especially pleasant. I can't help but wonder who touched it last. Gag, SPLORGH!
 
radio clock
I'm picking up some waves with my psychic ability... I sense....  I sense that the radio was unplugged at 8 minutes and 49 seconds after 5!
The tuning knob had a thousand ridges filled with gunk and germs.
Someone had once broken it off and then epoxied it to the tuning
capacitor shaft. It would have to be cleaned while attached to the radio.
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
The inside of the case was filthy.
GE Model 518 clock radio
...as was the chassis.
         
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
 
Sleep Function
 
  There is an outlet on the back that is controlled by the clock.   The clock has a sleep function. How cool is that?  
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
Where was this radio when it was in use? If it was in my house it would take over 1000 years to look like this.
By the way, if you're working on one of these and you need to take out the clock, it pushes out from the back.
   
A Telechron clock from one of the radios. No brushes, all metal gears. A little sewing machine oil starts them back up.
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
The underside before any work was done. A metal plate covers this, that's why it looks so clean.
 
 
cut capacitor
cut capacitor
 
 
Some previous "repairman" fixed a bad capacitor by cutting it out of the circuit. I don't know what kind of cutter he used. The ends are chewed up.
80,000 volts might jump the air gap, but it
would probably blow the radio to smithereens.		  
 
 
47 ohm resistor
47 ohm resistor
68 ohm resistor
 
I didn't know what this white thing was. It had corrosion on it. According to the schematic, it's a 68 Ohm resistor, but it tested at 51 Ohms. When it was cut out it was found to be stamped "47." How did that get in there? It was replaced with one of the correct value. Did it make any difference? It is R9 on the schematic.
 
47 ohm resistor
 
47 ohm resistor
 
Inside the ceramic was a wire-wound resistor. Boy, that's an expensive way to make a resistor.
 
General Electric 518
Recapped, and with a new power cord.
 
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
The case has been cleaned and the outside polished, but the grill cloth has to go.
GE Model 518 clock radio
The volume control knob was disinfected. (as was the tuning knob).
 
 
 
Grillcloth
 
Grillcloth
 
  The grill cloth was a piece of linen over a cardboard circle.   This made it easy to replicate it with some new linen and cardboard.  
 
Tuning Knob
Now you can touch the tuning knob without contracting diphtheria.
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
 Almost done. Everything is clean, it was re-capped, some tubes were replaced, a tear in the
speaker cone was repaired, it has a new cord and the clock has been oiled in a dozen places.
 
General Electric 518
 
 
General Electric model 518 clock radio
Here it is, at its new home in the kitchen. The world's most useful radio!
 
GE Model 518 clock radio
 
Back