The AM Forum

I just picked up a Desk Kilowatt that I am going to restore. I am wondering if anyone knows exactly what material Johnson used for the desk top covering? It looks like some sort of a hard vinyl and not Formica. The material on it now has dry rotted causing it to crack. Does anyone know of a source for that material?

I see some people just paint it and leave it at that. But I would like to keep it original if possible.

Thanks,
Dan

Dan...  That covering is good old linoleum.  A company called DwellSmart is the US distributor for Forbo, a Brit company that makes linoleum desk covering material.  It isn't cheap and applying it is probably more art than science.
https://www.dwellsmart.com/products/forbo-furniture-linoleum-33565
73 de Norm W1ITT

Thanks Norm!

Yeah, it looks like by the time you get the adhesive and enough linoleum it will be about $124 plus shipping. But it will be worth it to have it looking good and original.

Thanks again,
Dan

I had the desk part at one time.   If you set something heavy on it with small feet the feet will sink into to vinyl and leave a dimple.  use a spreader ....

The desk itself was supplied by Steelcase, wasn't it?  They seem to still be in business in Michigan.  I wonder if they might have that material still in stock, but I suppose itf they did it wouldn't be any cheaper than the source already quoted.

The top of mine had plenty of dimples in it from the feet of receivers and accessories...

I have #641 with added Peter Dahl plate iron from the estate of Irb W2VJZ. it gets a nice 1100 watts carrier out without the desk. Don't know how much more power the desk will bring.

I had desk # 13 and the top looked like it has been used as a workbench.  I traded it away several years ago and the amplifier has been rebuilt and I have heard it working very well on the air.  The ham that has it planned to recover the top although I haven't talked to him in a while so I don't know.  Good Luck and let us know how it goes....  Steve

It's nice to know where Irb's Desk Kilowatt went. I was afraid he was buried with it, HI.

I was worried that the Insurance Mafia would have it sleeping with the maple trees.

KLC

or jefferson?

KB2WIG said: ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I don't know how bad your top is, but I put a piece of plate glass on top of my Linoleum and that looks good.  I actually slid the schematic under the glass, so that and the rigs on top hide the dents.

Joe - KB9R

The top linoleum is in bad shape and I will have to replace it. I was thinking about using glass as well to keep the receiver from making indention's in the new linoleum.

Dan