Chris Fanjoy, Elgin, NB, Canada, (506) 756-2648
-Complete electronic restoration, including replacement of defective capacitors, resistors, tubes, transformers, etc.
-Cosmetic restorations:
-Repair/replacement of veneer, stripping, staining, and finishing of wood cabinets (click here for some before & after pictures)
-Stripping and repainting of plastic & bakelite cabinets (including repair of cracks and chips)
-Replacement of grille cloth and dials
-Conversion of battery sets to AC
-Dial string replacement
Q. How much do you charge for your services?
A. It depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the radio, condition of the radio and work/time needed to restore it, and the cost of replacement parts. I try to keep my prices as reasonable as possible, but please understand the restoring antique electronics is often difficult and very time-consuming. Cabinet restoration can be particularly laborsome, especially if the cabinet has a lot of warped or missing veneer, loose-fitting pieces, etc. The prices I charge for most radio restorations range from about $50 - $150 (Cdn). I will give you a free estimate before I do any actual work.
Q. Will my radio still look original once restored to working condition?
A. Yes, almost always. Nearly all replacement parts can be mounted underneath the chassis and out of sight. There are a few rare exceptions, such as speaker replacment, but as always I will notify you first and let you decide what you want done.
Q. How long does it take you to restore a radio?
A. It depends on how much work it needs, how long it takes me to obtain replacement parts (if I don't have them in stock), and how many other projects I have ahead of me at the time. A small plastic set needing only replacement capacitors may take less than an hour, while a large console needing complete cosmetic and electronic restoration could take up to several weeks. I try to be as prompt as possible, bu I also take whatever time is necessary to ensure that the work is done properly.
Q. Can I ship my radio(s) to you for restoration?
A. You can if you like, but in most cases local delivery and pickup is preferable. Packing and shipping larger radios can be expensive, and may risk damage to the radio if not packed properly. Small table sets can usually be shipped without any problem, if packed properly. Typical shipping time to and from the USA is usually about 2 - 3 weeks.
Q. Do you restore antique televisions?
A. Yes! In addition to my stock of radio tubes and parts, I have thousands of (mostly worthless!) TV tubes that I keep for that specific purpose. I just don't have much of a demand for that work, except for restoring and maintaining the TV's in my own collection. TV's usually require considerably more work to restore, but once the repairs are completed, the results are usually very pleasing. There's nothing quite like watching your favorite show on a 50-year-old TV set.
Q. Are there any radios that can't be fixed?
A. Once in a while, I run into an old radio or TV that can't be restored, for several possible reasons. Sometimes, the unit is in such poor condition that the amount of work and time required would be insane. Units that have been exposed to heavy moisture (such as left out in the rain for several years) are a good example. Once the moisture gets into the coils/transformers and causes corrosion, things can get quite tricky. I sometimes run into sets where parts simply aren't available (such as curved glass dials) but this is rare. I would estimate that at least 90% of all sets I come across are very restorable.
Q. I'm restoring a radio by myself, but I need a tube or other parts. Do you have any you could sell me?
A. When it comes to tubes and parts, I mostly keep them for my own collection and restorations. However if you're looking for a particularly hard-to-find tube or part, you can always contact me and I can see what I have. Please see the Links page for some sources of tubes and parts.
Q. Do you guarantee your work?
A. Yes, I guarantee any electronic work for a period of 90 days (3 months), not including tubes. I don't include the tubes in my guarantee because tubes are too unpredictable. However, most tubes that test good will provide at least several hundred hours of satisfactory performance before needing replacements.