Back panel repair
 

Hi
I’m restoring a radio and the back has the usual dropper damage. I’d like to retain the back so thought this option may stabilise the back and cover the large hole.

It’s a Teflon mat made for BBQs and only £1.78 for two 40cm x 30cm sheets so I thought it was worth ago.

Just wondering what others think, a suitable repair or have I missed some obvious reason why this is not a good idea?

Thanks for reading.

John

Re: Back panal repair
 

Modern matting would not look right on a vintage set.

If it was me I would cut the damaged section away completely and leave a square hole to be filled with part of an old back cover then Araldite it in place. Most of these vintage sets use very similar material.

Re: Back panal repair
 

Well, it's not original or period, nevertheless a reversible, neat and safe repair. I like it.

Re: Back panal repair
 

I'd not thought of patching with an old back that is a good idea, I think for this one being very small the idea was it would hold it all together as other areas are damaged too.

It not a 'special' radio (maybe they're all special) and it's not visible so I'm not too bothered about it being original and as you say easily reversible.

I've not looked at the best way to attach it yet, I'll probably use a few blobs of Araldite.

John

Re: Back panal repair
 

I've sent a PM, also what radio is it from?

Cheers Neil

Re: Back panal repair
 

Hi Neil,
Thanks for your interest, it’s a Portradyne Universal.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/portadyne_universal.html

I’ve not received a PM from you yet.

John

Re: Back panel repair
 

that's a sweet little set, no wonder the dropper's burned the back, it looks rather close. Is it the original dropper? The one in the radiomuseum pic looks like a TV polo mint resistor blobbed in, difficult to tell. Is yours the same?

Re: Back panel repair
 

I think its a grand idea. Its quite unobtrusive, fulfils the safety function, and can be removed. Excellent.

Re: Back panel repair
 

Got it now, thanks Neil I’ll PM you later.

Yes I think mine is the original dropper (see pic) it is very close, I would not want to leave it on for any length of time.

Seems like other than aesthetic reasons which are always down to personal preference it’s not a bad idea so I’ll give it a go.

John

Re: Back panel repair
 

That set looks like a prime candidate for a capacitor dropper or at least a diode assisted setup!

Re: Back panel repair
 

I like it :thumbsup:

Simple, reversable, cheap and quick.

And after all it's called the back for a reason :idea:

Cheers

Mike T

Re: Back panel repair
 

Yes good point, but It will rarely be used and is working well with the original dropper so I'll leave it as is as least for now.

Exactly!

John

Re: Back panel repair
 

Hello,
Just thought I’d complete the story.
I’ve been sidetracked lately but managed to finish the radio tonight. I had some issues with a broken wire on a coil which was a challenge to fix and the dropper which was set to the wrong voltage had a badly corroded connection.
I bought it mostly for its looks but after changing the Hunts and couple of out of spec resisters it works well and the performance is quite good for a 50’s TRF.

And the ‘fix’ for the back does as I intended.

John

Re: Back panel repair
 

I've used something similar in the past to "repair" a speaker grill but mine were a finer mesh & a coppery colour, the local Poundland of all places!
As you say, functional & does the job it was intended for, can't see a downside there! ;D

Re: Back panel repair
 

Hi Stitch - in that particular burnt-out location you may wish to [re?] consider the use of a piece of new 'plumbers mat' i.e. a non-asbestos cloth-like material that is used for wiping pipe joints subsequent to lead soldering? I've use this material with great success on the restoration of various heat shields etc.

(It's available from most plumbers merchants ...)

Re: Back panel repair
 

That sounds like a good idea, certainly something to consider. The Teflon mat is heat resistant but if it was a set I intended to use a lot I'd look at other options, as it is it will only get occasional use.

John

Re: Back panel repair
 

P.S. Lovely little set !!!

Re: Back panel repair
 

Yes I think it looks great, really pleased how well the Bakelite came up.