Asked on Apr 05, 2017

GE radio model F75 - what should I do with this?!

M Sherwood
by M Sherwood
picked up at the thrift store, not sure what i should do with it..suggestions anyone?

thx








  10 answers
  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Apr 05, 2017

    I don't have instructions, but I did see this and think WHOA - it would be a fun project to tackle :) And I'll bet that the Hometalk community could help you sort it out!

  • Lagree Wyndham Lagree Wyndham on Apr 05, 2017

    Beautiful piece, The case looks to be in great shape. I have a Philco radio from the same era. Sometimes not up or down cycling is the best thing you can do for a piece. Mine is just a conversation piece, one day I hope to put some wireless speakers in it a just stream music. There are also companies out there that will help you restore it to working order.

  • Tory Tory on Apr 05, 2017

    That is a beautiful piece. Personally I would want to change it. Don't know measurements, but could you put a glass top on it and make a table out of it. What a conversation piece. I am in the middle of doing that with a huge antique wine press I found! Good luck and I hope you post pics!

  • Kaye Kaye on Apr 05, 2017

    I would definitely not paint it. If you are really good with a saw or know someone that is, you could potentially build cabinets into the sides of the piece. Picture cutting them off carefully, putting hinges on the back - at least three per and then shelves on the inside.


    You could do the bar thing, a book shelf, etc. Lots of wax and hard rubbing will bring luster back. Can spot "restain" and then wax as well.

  • Stephanie Barker Stephanie Barker on Apr 05, 2017

    If it does not work you can buy tubes on eBay to repair. A glass top with three shelves mounted on the wall above. Some gold leaf paint on the edge s around the trim might give a classy looK. The paint could be done with stencils in a pattern you like with some also around the edges of the glass top & shelves. I'd enjoy the sound as is this is a quality piece.

  • Dale Dale on Apr 05, 2017

    That piece is beautiful. With an eye towards restoration.. the wood and cabinet are straightforward. The radio itself can/will take a whole lot of time, effort and love to bring it back. DO NOT plug it in, turn it on.. just to watch the smoke pour out. It will require a lot of time to determine exactly what is needed. Great project, lot of fun. The tubes are very dear, and fragile. I've done a few.. they are a passion of love. Good luck,

    Dale - in Wy. (WC7S)

    daleputnam@hotmail.com

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Apr 05, 2017

    What a beauty! Love the wood. If you're not going to restore it to working condition, then by all means get creative. I'd keep the original radio look, but turn it into hidden storage for a safe or personal items? CD or DVD storage? A home office storage cabinet, or a cabinet for your den or family room. So many options! Best of luck.

  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Apr 06, 2017

    If you won't be restoring the insides, you could clean up the outside and rework the insides to a new purpose. Things that come to my mind:

    1). Jewelry armoire

    2). Beverage bar

    3). Hide a stand mixer and other small appliances in the kitchen.

    4). Kegerator for a pony keg. The tap could come out where the middle knob should be.

    5). Fit the inside for shelves, replace the back piece with aromatic cedar and use it as an upright cedar chest for out of season clothes or blankets.

    6). Auxiliary pantry for dry goods/paper supplies/bathroom supplies.

    Great, now I've talked myself into looking for one for my house.

  • TateTwo TateTwo on Oct 12, 2020

    My husband wants to make ours into a computer tower for his office.