Radio Dial Cord - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Audiorepair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2020, 08:36:25 pm
content: Radio Dial Cord, the (usually) white cord that wraps around pulleys, tuning controls etc, and seems to be good at not stretching over many years' use.I see plenty of NOS and new out there, but does anyone know what is the best stuff to go for, or what to avoid?In my case it is actually for a motorised fader, but the principle is the same - cord wrapped around grooved slotted shafts and a couple of pulleys, tension quite high, lots of use over many years.The motorised fader system replaces the tuning capacitor with a motor, so what was the moving tuning indicator becomes the fader.

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2020, 11:56:28 pm
content: https://www.amazon.ca/Dial-6138-Vintage-Radio-Cord/dp/B004IAKWLU

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 03:59:45 am
content: I have always been successful with ordinary fish line.

author: Audiorepair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 07:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: bob91343 on December 18, 2020, 03:59:45 amInteresting you mention that, as I was looking at Kevlar today, as it is very strong and doesn't stretch.I think 2% stretch before breaking.It is typically used in fishing line and kite flying cord.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEVLAR-DuPont-RAW-YELLOW-100-LB-0-5mm-200FT-61-M-LINE-BRAIDED-WIRE-KITE-FISHING-/282055551022I'm hoping to replace the cord on motorised faders, though I'm not sure exactly what they have used.The frayed ends are nylonish in appearance, so I took a guess that it would be Radio Dial Cord, and ordered some of this to see if it looks and feels the same.Dacron I found is a polyester, don't know if that looks "nylonny" or not, but will soon find out.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-Dial-Cord-2m-Length-x-0-5mm-Dia-NOS-Vintage-Dacron-Valve-Transistor/254754388794?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 07:24:24 pm
content: I usually get that sort of thing from justradios.com, they've never let me down.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 02:32:53 am
content: Any fishing braid will be low to zero stretch, it’s why it is used.Here’s a lifetime supply of dial cord for $4 with free shipping. Select the 90lb rating and you have your choice of colors!https://www.amazon.com/Ashconfish-6LB-Abrasion-Resistant-Incredible-Superline-Zero-Stretch-Superfine/dp/B07J9YMW4F/ref=pd_di_sccai_5

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 02:44:40 am
content: I didn't see anything for only $4 and as usual, Amazon is overpriced. As I recall, the stuff to use is around 30 lb but my memory on that is hazy. Stretching isn't usually a problem, since there are springs there anyway to keep the string taut.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 02:57:01 am
content: Okay it’s a Prime deal at $4, a whopping $7 for non-Prime. Any of the current braids at 30lb are about .01in/0.25mm which IMO is mighty thin for dial cord. Of course your opinion will be different.Feel free to shop wherever, I’m just trying to make the point that any appropriate diameter fishing braid will do, the cheaper the better. Dacron, Deenma, Kevlar, whatever. The base material doesn’t matter.

author: Audiorepair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 11:31:06 am
content: Quote from: bob91343 on December 19, 2020, 02:44:40 amThe motorised faders don't 't have any springs, and presumably due to wear of all the various moving parts and the motor, are no longer working smoothly enough.So it is critical to replace the cord with something at least as good as what is currently on it.I also need to play with adjusting the tension, currently the cord is cut very short, and it is not possible to adjust it at all.Edit: I'm liking the idea of fishing line, I'm not a fisherman so hadn't really considered it properly.Have ordered some 8 braid PE 0.5mm 90lb line so see how it fares.£7.50, Amazon.Thanks to all.

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 02:49:22 pm
content: "The motorised faders don't 't have any springs, and presumably due to wear of all the various moving parts and the motor, are no longer working smoothly enough."In that case you might consider putting a lever with an idler pressing against the string if you have space. Than way you either could have a sring providing tension or a hard tension adjustment. I would think that most strings would have some stretch initially and need adjustment later before stabilising.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2020, 11:55:22 am
content: I repaired some Collins equipment that used nylon covered wire for tuning cord. Wire covering was worn out after 50 yrs....Replaced it with covered steel leader material from Bass Pro shop. (Pike leader) worked great.You can use the crimp style tubes for terminating the wire.Do not know if wire is acceptable in your situation.It is a bit hard to tie knots in Kevlar. They usually have a recommended knot on the package.Wally

author: tanveerriaz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2020, 12:19:18 pm
content: i pick a steel flexible Nylon Coated cable about 6 feet in junk. may be use in photocopy machine .https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Aircraft-Cable-T304/dp/B00THGV7W8

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 03:30:57 am
content: Dial cord made from cotton or fiber was pretty unique because it had so little stretch when it first came out in the 1920s but today there are a lot of different types cords made from synthetic materials that won't stretch. Nylon cable lacing cord for one. Stunt kite line (kevlar) for another. Even nylon fishing line.FWIW many years ago tuner cord was also used in in U-Control model airplanes to control the elevator movement. The first model plane that I had didn't use a bell crank and a push rod to operate the elevator. The external control lines connected to two built in control lines that routed through the wing and to two small brass tubes that made a 90 degree bend and the elevator had posts that stuck up and down off of it and the two control lines connected directly to the two posts. The same airplane used an spark ignition system with a battery, points, ignition coil and a spark plug!

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 06:39:54 am
content: This is the kind of stuff I used:https://www.ebay.com/i/303804094800?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=303804094800&targetid=1068323854750&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031993&poi=&campaignid=10897343926&mkgroupid=106040611134&rlsatarget=pla-1068323854750&abcId=9300403&merchantid=101648809&gclid=CjwKCAiAz4b_BRBbEiwA5XlVVjHcxokncUYLIG9ZXoR10oAntCyDKFSU1ySsdPYrkvvhRuJ-6H0LSBoCHasQAvD_BwEIt is somewhat like the cord used in window shades but much less in diameter.