My first flip clock I restored was a Sony, and from the beginning, I was impressed with it's build quality. The only other Sony I've owned since has been my TFM-C660W, one of the infamous blacklit roller type, which has a failed motor, and apparently the motors in ALL those clocks fail. But regardless of the motor failing, I love that clock, its build quality is SUPERB and it has the best radio I've heard in a flip clock to date. And it has what I consider the holy grail of flip clock features, a SNOOZE BAR!!
So, I set out to eBay with the intent of finding a similar clock, hopefully in working condition, and an actual flip clock. Well, two weeks ago, I nabbed this TFM-C650W, for $25. The seller took forever to ship out the clock, and I almost cancelled the order, but it showed up at noon today in working, albeit filthy condition.
The listing said the only issue with the clock was the time set knob missing. I opened the clock, and immediately noticed the dust, holy shit, I've never seen this much in a clock so far. It was attached to everything. I cleaned it out with a vacuum, then compressed air, carefully. The radio had the typical volume potentiometer issues, so I cleaned that. The whole radio circuit and tuner assembly is attached to a part that unclips from the bottom case of the clock.
I soon found two things, the time set knob was GLUED inside the clock case!! I was very happy to find this, and I sanded the glue off and later was able to use it again. The second thing, this clock is LOW hours. The original neon bulb looks brand new, as do the radio and alarm dial bulbs. I oiled the motor, which to my relief, was a copal II, and not the motor that Sony used in the Digimatic roller clocks.
I cleaned the plastic radio display, top grills, and front facia, and I think it's come out great. Plus, it's got this nice snooze bar, so now I don't have to wait an hour or so for the radio to turn itself off when I get up in the morning. I'm very happy with this restoration, and in the future I may convert the bulbs to LED minus the neon.
So, I set out to eBay with the intent of finding a similar clock, hopefully in working condition, and an actual flip clock. Well, two weeks ago, I nabbed this TFM-C650W, for $25. The seller took forever to ship out the clock, and I almost cancelled the order, but it showed up at noon today in working, albeit filthy condition.
The listing said the only issue with the clock was the time set knob missing. I opened the clock, and immediately noticed the dust, holy shit, I've never seen this much in a clock so far. It was attached to everything. I cleaned it out with a vacuum, then compressed air, carefully. The radio had the typical volume potentiometer issues, so I cleaned that. The whole radio circuit and tuner assembly is attached to a part that unclips from the bottom case of the clock.
I soon found two things, the time set knob was GLUED inside the clock case!! I was very happy to find this, and I sanded the glue off and later was able to use it again. The second thing, this clock is LOW hours. The original neon bulb looks brand new, as do the radio and alarm dial bulbs. I oiled the motor, which to my relief, was a copal II, and not the motor that Sony used in the Digimatic roller clocks.
I cleaned the plastic radio display, top grills, and front facia, and I think it's come out great. Plus, it's got this nice snooze bar, so now I don't have to wait an hour or so for the radio to turn itself off when I get up in the morning. I'm very happy with this restoration, and in the future I may convert the bulbs to LED minus the neon.
Those Sony models are great units. Looks nice.
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