Craig Radio Display Repair

[Les Huckins <jhuckins@xxxx>]

OK group, please check this before it gets nailed on the DML page. Is
it clear? Anys suggestions or criticisms? (It will include pictures
but for now just the text needs looking over) Thanks.

Les Huckins wrote:

> To effectively repair the display on the Craig radio, the flex cable
> must be replaced. To do this two things are required, number one is
> the ability to solder to printed circuit boards, this is advanced
> soldering (I use a 30 watt iron with a pointed tip from Radio Shack
> cost is about $7). Second item is very flexible wire. Suggested
> wire is sub miniature, 18 strand copper, made to flex continuously.
> The plastic insulation is also a special (limp) compound to aid in
> flexing. In removing the front bezel and top cover, note the 4 screws
> in the front (bezel) are smaller than those on the top cover. The
> display rod is swedged in place on the left, gently pry it open enough
> to release the rod. The return spring must be released from the
> chassis tab (where it's cemented in place) in order not to stress it
> during removal. from the display assembly. Note the amount of tension
> on the return spring and it's location at the display. Cut the flex
> cable off about where the crease (break) has occurred. Solder about a
> 3" length of wire to each of the 16 connections on the back of the
> display. Per the picture, place them in order and cement them to the
> vertical metal pieces on the back of the display. I use Radio-TV
> service cement (because I have a lot of it) but it's not critical,
> Duco or a lot of others would work as well. Per the picture, general,
> not critical, routing of the wires. I use a film of cement on the
> wires where they exit the display to keep them in order until soldered
> to the radio. As each wire is readied to be soldered in place it's
> pulled loose from the cement film. How long should the leads be?
> It's not very critical, the wire is very forgiving, however, after
> doing several, this is my choice. With the display now back in place,
> rod back but not swedged yet, spring connected but not cemented yet,
> the display is slightly forward of it's normal position. Measure out
> each wire in turn, soldering as you go, so that the wire just reaches
> it's companion spot on the top of the radio, not tight, just sort of a
> lazy fit. That's pretty much it, observe the very small amount of
> movement before you put it all back together. Connect it to a power
> source, make sure it lights as it should. Tighten the swedge, put a
> drop of cement on the return spring at the tab. This should be the
> final solution to this particular problem. As to the wire, it's comes
> in minimum 100' rolls, if you want to try this I'll sell you enough to
> do one for $4. If you want to take up this repair as a business, I'll
> give you the name of the vendor and the number of the wire. If you
> would like me to make the repair for you e-mail me:
> jhuckins@xxxx Les Huckins