[klondike98]

There was even more cabinet glue up that was needed after I finished the last round. Some of this structural stuff may have been the reason the veneer cracked and failed although I agree with Arran that lifting by the handle could easily cause problems. While I was waiting for glue to dry I started cleaning the dial glass and pilot lamps. The dial glass comes off easily by bending 4 metal tabs back but the pilot lamps require removing the dial face assembly so you can access them....an then, lo and behold, the pilot lamps are soldered into the metal frame! Clearly this has been done post-factory because its a terrible solder job but I suspect that it may have originally also been soldered in and these are replacement lamps. (ignore the spring touching the bulb, its just the loose dial string) Its a 2.5v circuit so they are likely supposed to be #41 or #43 bulb. At the moment both lamps are working so I'm inclined to leave well enough alone for now.

   

The veneer came off relatively easily with a moist towel, heat from an iron and putty knives slowly working the glue between the veneer and base wood. Even the veneer around the grill cut out came off well although the underlying wood did need a little glue up to put it back in shape.

   

I'll sand the base wood to smooth it out, scrape/strip off the black lacquer from the sides and then I should be ready to try and put the new veneer onto it.