Lefty,
Yes some people use the antenna for a handle. I've seen pictures on ebay with the antenna ripped out by the roots. I don't think that is the typical failure mode though. In looking at these things, I think they fail because they are over tightened. The mount is made in halves. The halves are identical and are held together with a small through bolt. The through bolt controls the tension placed on the antenna ball. When tighten until it is snug, the two halves don't quite come flush together. If tightened past that point, the halves will come flush but there is a lot of stress placed on the ball socket. Over time, if the antenna is moved, the ball sockets can crack and eventually separate.
To prevent the mount from breaking, loosen the the two hold down screws and the trough bolt. Put a little silicon spray on the ball and tighten the through bolt until the ball is held but still rotates smoothly. Then tighten the mounting screws. That will make it move smoothly and relieve the stress.
rek50,
If I had the broken pieces, I might try the repair you outlined, but like CDfixer, all I have is stubs.
CDfixer,
Although the idea of machining these things out of aluminum is appealing, but I don't have access to anyone to do it. I'm sure the cost of paying someone to machine one would be pretty steep. Besides, I need 4 sets. I don't think the 6060 uses this mount but some of the tuners of the era do. In scanning ebay, it looks like the TU 217, 317 and 717 all use it.
I don't know enough about the casting process to comment on plaster or silicon molds. I do have the first estimate to get these things made professionally. The mold alone is about $1,200, and it is considered a low cost low volume mold! I should have another estimate from another supplier this week.
These estimates are to make exact copies of the originals using the same or better material. These molds have a useful life of about 2,000 pieces. Once the mold is made, the per piece cost is totally dependent on the number made at one time and the material used. It takes two pieces to make one assembly.
I know from looking at ebay auctions, there are a lot of broken antenna mounts out there. I'm willing to step up and get the molds made, but I don't want to be stuck with a couple of boxes of unwanted mounts and an empty wallet. To make it work, I'm still estimating $15 to $20 a mount. I need 75 to 100 takers to break even. Are there that many takers out there or am I nuts?
- Pete