Sentinel Model 284-NR "Wavy Grille" Catalin Table Radio (1946)
This catalin cabinet houses a modest AC/DC powered "All-American-Five" receiver that covers the standard
broadcast band. Tubes used are 12SA7 (mixer/LO), 12SK7 (IF), 12SQ7 (2nd-detector/AVC/1st AF), 50L6GT (AF
output), 35Z5GT (rectifier). This cabinet was styled to look like a television receiver at a time when TV was
anticipated by the public as the "next big thing".
The chassis is suspended "upside down" from the top of the cabinet, as seen in the photo below. Unfortunately,
one of the properties of catalin is shrinkage over time, and these sets are usually found with the chassis tightly
bound within the cabinet. The stress on the cabinet often causes cracking. With this particular example, the
chassis was tightly bound in place and much care was needed to remove the chassis without placing additional,
potentially damaging, stresses on the cabinet. Once removed, I filed down the edges of the chassis to ensure an
easier, relatively stress free fit upon replacement. Cabinet shrinkage also usually results in the dial glass having
fractured, as on my model. Reproduction dials are however available from several sources, including radiodaze.
With these catalin sets, it's generally a good idea to only very loosely tighten chassis retaining bolts, thereby
allowing some freedom of the chassis to move within the cabinet and accommodate further shrinkage in the
future. Some collectors leave out these screws completely, but then there is always the risk that the chassis will
fall out when the radio is moved.
broadcast band. Tubes used are 12SA7 (mixer/LO), 12SK7 (IF), 12SQ7 (2nd-detector/AVC/1st AF), 50L6GT (AF
output), 35Z5GT (rectifier). This cabinet was styled to look like a television receiver at a time when TV was
anticipated by the public as the "next big thing".
The chassis is suspended "upside down" from the top of the cabinet, as seen in the photo below. Unfortunately,
one of the properties of catalin is shrinkage over time, and these sets are usually found with the chassis tightly
bound within the cabinet. The stress on the cabinet often causes cracking. With this particular example, the
chassis was tightly bound in place and much care was needed to remove the chassis without placing additional,
potentially damaging, stresses on the cabinet. Once removed, I filed down the edges of the chassis to ensure an
easier, relatively stress free fit upon replacement. Cabinet shrinkage also usually results in the dial glass having
fractured, as on my model. Reproduction dials are however available from several sources, including radiodaze.
With these catalin sets, it's generally a good idea to only very loosely tighten chassis retaining bolts, thereby
allowing some freedom of the chassis to move within the cabinet and accommodate further shrinkage in the
future. Some collectors leave out these screws completely, but then there is always the risk that the chassis will
fall out when the radio is moved.
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