Vintage HiFi Audio Forum

Audio Discussion => TUBES TUBES TUBES => Topic started by: usrobo on January 28, 2012, 09:18:12 AM

Title: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: usrobo on January 28, 2012, 09:18:12 AM

I have a "The Fisher T-80" AM/FM Tube radio that works perfect. The wood cabinet is a little rough because I have been using it for 40+ years and it still works perfect. Now I want to find out a little more about this radio to determine if it is worth keeping or spending the money to refinish the cabinet or not.

Hopefully someone in this area will know something about this radio.

Thanks,

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: usrobo on January 28, 2012, 09:23:12 AM

Quote from: usrobo on January 28, 2012, 09:18:12 AM

I have a "The Fisher T-80" AM/FM Tube radio that works perfect. The wood cabinet is a little rough because I have been using it for 40+ years and it still works perfect. Now I want to find out a little more about this radio to determine if it is worth keeping or spending the money to refinish the cabinet or not.

Hopefully someone in this area will know something about this radio.

Thanks,

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: Kingman on January 28, 2012, 11:30:18 AM

WELCOME!!!!!...although heavily used if you like it, why get rid of it???? I'm sure more will chime in with more knowledge than me about your tuner but..........

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: usrobo on January 28, 2012, 12:37:29 PM

Is there anyone locally that can refinish the cabinet for me?

Quote from: Kingman on January 28, 2012, 11:30:18 AM

WELCOME!!!!!...although heavily used if you like it, why get rid of it???? I'm sure more will chime in with more knowledge than me about your tuner but..........

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: Kingman on January 28, 2012, 02:30:57 PM

People??? I've seen several restoration projects on here....brother help a brother!!!  O0 O0 O0

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: bmwr75 on January 28, 2012, 04:14:57 PM

Fisher tube equipment is well respected.  It surely needs to be recapped if for nothing else to protect the transformers.  Take some pictures of the inside if you can to show us the circuits.

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: NATOE on January 28, 2012, 05:00:11 PM

If your going to get rid of it how much would you like for it?



thanks natoe

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: usrobo on January 29, 2012, 12:58:17 PM

Here are some pictures of my Fisher radio. I do not want to sell it. However I would like to find someone locally that could refinish the cabinet.
Does anyone know of somebody that could refinish the cabinet?
Other than the dust inside how does the radio look?

Quote from: NATOE on January 28, 2012, 05:00:11 PM

If your going to get rid of it how much would you like for it?



thanks natoe

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: bmwr75 on January 29, 2012, 01:48:23 PM

How bad is the cabinet?

Howard's Restor-a-Finish and Feed-n-Wax works wonders if the finish is just scratched and dried out.  You can find Howard's products at Lowe's or Home Depot.

You definitely need to have the unit recapped.

Anders at Vintage Hi-Fi is a vintage radio expert.

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: MasterBlaster on January 29, 2012, 03:18:12 PM

Call the guys at Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh. 412-369-8823
They can tell you what it will take to refurbish your Fisher.
As Scott said, the capacitors should be replaced.



 

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: usrobo on January 29, 2012, 07:38:46 PM

Will do. (Can you tell from the pictures that the capacitors are bad?)
Thanks,

Quote from: Trabs Male Tres on January 29, 2012, 03:18:12 PM

Call the guys at Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh. 412-369-8823
They can tell you what it will take to refurbish your Fisher.
As Scott said, the capacitors should be replaced.

Title: Re: The Fisher T-80 AM/FM Tube Radio with Amp
Post by: schwarcw on January 29, 2012, 08:23:15 PM

The capacitors are suspect just because of the age of the unit.  These old units used oil and paper type capacitors, so called electrolytic.  Paper ages, dries out and can absorb moisture, and the oil may leak.  Additionally, the value of the capacitor can change and the unit will not operate correctly.  If a capacitor is bad, it will blow and currrent will go right to your transformers.  This would most likely ruin the unit. 

The cabinet is the easy to have refinshed.  It may need to be re-vaneered.  Remove the radio ffrom the unit and take it to a furniture restorer, or do it yourself.

Good luck!