RCA Victor RAE-68 (Restoration)

[GregVTLA]

Hello everyone!

 

I am very excited to own this RAE-68! I drove around 7 1/2 hours each way to southeast MI to pick this up (I live near DC). This one came out of the Stanton's sale this fall and I was so lucky as to be able to purchase it from Bob P, who attended the sale. 

 

I have a strong interest in auto changers and have been learning electronic restoration, so this is a perfect project to check all the boxes. I previously restored a 10-35 as well as an RE-45. But this is obviously a different animal that I am excited to take on.

 

I plan on making sure that this gets the attention it deserves and getting it fully functional once again. I have already started doing a few small wood repairs, gluing down the loose veneer on the top and fixing the crack in the lid. I will keep the forum updated on progress as I go.

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by GregVTLA
added "Restoration" to the title as that seems to be the custom.

[GregVTLA]

Taking a look here, looks like all of the preset stations are in the Chicago area. I think it's kind of neat to know at least some of the backstory of the machine.

 

My electronic components (capacitors & resistors) are coming in tomorrow, so I should be able to power it up after replacing the 5 power caps in the SPU and check out the transformers. From there I should know how much more work will be required. I disconnected the caps from the amp to get everything ready.

 

I'll be BBQing this can tomorrow in order to mount the new caps inside the can. I know would surely be room to fit the caps under the amp, but I enjoy restuffing the cans.