[tubenutt]

Arran,I believe that you are most assuredly right in that the asbestos encountered in old radios is relatively harmless to us. The people that put that asbestos there, however, may indeed have had illnesses pertaining to it. Mesothelioma is deadly. period.
But it takes PROLONGED exposure to the material to develop cancer, which is what mesothelioma is.
People working in certain industries, such as the heating/furnace and the automotive brakes business before asbestos was found to be a carcinogen, were almost CERTAINLY exposed to deadly amounts.
But, today, the occasional encounter with asbestos is merely anecdotal, and shouldn't be a concern to the public.
You know, Arran, when I sprayed that laquer on that heat shield, I thought your very words. "Hey, even dried laquer is flammable!"
But I also reasoned with my self, thinking, "If I have enough heat from that old transformer to cause a fire, I will have a H**l of a lot more to worry about than fire!". Ha!
Then again, I might go back and spray it with paint meant for a set of headers! LOL

One shouldn't leave vintage electronics, even those that have been restored and safety-modified, to run unattended for long periods. It is just imprudent.