Growing problem of pot metal

[Hue]

I have a Torn.E.b with a kind of unique problem. The front panel, apparently pot metal, has expanded to where i cannot get the radio out of the case.
Believe me, i really tried! I don't know what my next approach will be. I don't really believe in keeping anything just for display, i mean something that doesn't work. I'd hate to ruin either the radio or the housing trying to get it out. It's really, really stuck! -Hue

[Funksammler]

I commented in another thread on the "Tin pest" phenomenon that affects some late war equipment. Unfortunately it is an irriversible process, it can just be slowed down or stopped by keeping your equipment at higher temperetures. In tin the critical temperature is 15 degrees Celcius, I am assuming in the German alloys the critical temperiature is in the same range.

So keeping your equipment at room temperature should at least stabalise the problem. If not, the material will keep swelling (destroying the casing in the process) until it becomes brittle and just falls apart. Fortunately on Torn.E.b faceplastes such extreme degradation is rare (it is the coil units on the revolving drum that usually go first), but I am afraid for your Torn.E.b it is too late. It could always be broken up for spares...

regards,

Funksammler

[Yuri D.]

Have you tried penetrating oil? It cleans up well afterwards.

Yuri

[Hue]

Yes, i did try penetrating oil. I will i'm sure, have one more go at it, at least.
Maybe if it doesn't look promising, i will preserve it just as a display item, because even if i break up the front panel, the inside mechanics are likely to be just as bad. The front panel, while it lasts, does look very good.
-Hue

[Yuri D.]

After the penetrating oil. Try a putty knife. They cause minimal damage and may break any bonds of that may have formed between the metal surfaces.

Yuri