Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

[Troy P.]

Seems that my radio restorer, Bubba, broke a mounting tab off of the wonderbar push bar on my 1954 radio while disassembling it for replating. I haven't seen the part that broke. Just heard on the phone that it was a place where the bar was riveted on to some other part. I understand this is a pot metal part.

Does anyone know a pot metal repair expert that I can trust to fix this for Bubba? As an alternative does anyone know if this part is available repo or otherwise? Is it correct to assume the bars are interchangable in fit from 53 to 57?

I believe some time back I read a thread or two about the difference in bars with the words "Wonderbar" on them and the plain bars and their various applications. Seems to me in that thread there was mention that one or the other type of bar was still available. Mine would be the plain bar with no script. It may be safer and less expensive to get a new one than to have the old one fixed.

[Jack H.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

The change occured for 1957 (seek button embossed with 'Wonderbar'). Good luck finding an original seek button, one of our members has been looking for a '57 button for about a year now...

I'd ask your restorer about the odds of fixing your original. If the damage is only on the back side of the seek bar where it can't be seen once installed, why not use a decent pot metal 'glue' like JB Weld to execute the repair?

[Troy P.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

He's concerned about the stress and thinks it needs reinforced. So I'm thinking, without seeing it, that JB weld probably would not do the trick.

While scratching around for a pot metal reapir source I've also sent him to his storage shed to see if other radios of the same vintage might have the same bar. I've seen other radios that appear the same on the outside but he thinks they may attached differently in the back.

[Jack H.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

JB Weld is pretty tough stuff when mixed and applied properly. Plus, the seek switch really only gets pressed in and is back stopped vs. being pulled out like a station tuning pre-set knob...

[Chuck L.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

Troy,
Don't know if you've resolved the broken tab issue, but there is a restorer of classic radios in Lenexa, Kansas that I've referred people to that may help you. Fred's Classic Radios at (913) 599-2303 is his number. He deals with all 1947 thru 1977 stuff.

[Gary C.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

Troy, as Jack points out JB Weld is tough stuff if mixed correctly. Had a nail size hole in one of my son's motorcycle engine years ago. Cleaned it out and patched it with JB Weld and is was holding ten years later when we sold the dirt bike. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

Troy - you might also be able to solder it. It should stick OK to pot metal.

Mark

[Steven B.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

Troy, check the radio advertisers in The Driveline for the bar. For repair of pot metal Paul's Chrome does an excellent job. I would first try the JB Weld, though.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Jerry R.]

Re: Need help for my Wonderbar Bar

Although I'd also use the JB Weld Troy, you could try calling D&M Restoration who advertises here. I remember repeatedly using parts off of a tuner from that vintage radio over the many years I fixed their radios. Ask for Mike and tell him it was on the back shelves when last seen.

Mike will remember the tuner as the one from the poor fellow that bought a radio off of eBay and then discovered it was only the tuner.

Jerry

PS: if I find one for a descent price in the next few days, I'll email you.