Antenna Repairs

[THarrison351]

A common malady in many mint diecast is missing/broken antennas. I've bought several with broken antennas included and reinstalled them successfully. Several years ago I scored these two off of eBay from the same seller. Poor pictures, not much information in the description and dirty diecast made for almost no bids. The seller also said the Packard was missing the boot and top. I could see in one of the pictures the pink tissue in the foam liner that they may not have known where to look. Turned out they'd never been removed! Unfortunately, both cars were missing antennas. I figured I would fabricate something or maybe someone would have a replacement for sale. I did clean them up, but time got away from me and I never did fix the antennas. Well, I've got time on my hands so I'll fabricate something. 

Franklin Mint 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. This is what it should look like:

Fortunately, the base is real chunky and tall. I have some Evergreen rod and tubing that will fit pretty well once it's cut and filed. First drill out what's left.

I ran a small bit down the center not knowing how deep it might go. Turned out the pressure pushed what was left down into the trunk, leaving a nice clean hole.

I used a piece of plastic rod in my drill chuck and turned it down with a file until it fit into a 3/32 tube. Then I tapered that a bit with a file and sandpaper and glued a piece of guitar wire to the end. 

See the last photo for the result after a bit of Molotow pen and installation.

Franklin Mint 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible. This is what it should look like:

Looks like the antenna base at the corner was all the damage there was. I've seen worse on other Packards.

The piece that I pushed out of Pontiac's antenna hole will work out perfectly at a replacement once I square up the corners of trim and angle the base. I've already drilled a small hole in the center when I was removing it from the Pontiac. I should have taken a picture before I installed it, but here it is installed.

Now they look almost mint!

 

 

[blackbeard]

Great information on to make antenna 

[ibj40]

Thanks for the post, great ideas!

[Geno]

Great work Tim, they look beautiful.

[randyc]

Nice!  Been studying about that as well.  Nice to see how others accomplish this.   

[swede70]

Nicely done and certainly a service to those looking it.  Good work!

Mike K./Swede70

[randyc]

This would be a good topic in the tips section as well.   I mean how many plastic kits have antennae?   Not a lot.  Another good way to fab one up.  Would have to drill a hole for the base.  I have seen several options for making.  This is another one. 

 

[kilrathy10]

Good stuff... I like the technique.... Gotta use that one...