Ekco A23 case repair. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vintage_8bit · 20th Jun 2023, 6:59 pm

This is my next restoration. It all seems very origional & not messed about with. When I picked it up the previous owner had plugged it in & was listening to it. They didn't seem bothered when I explaned why you shouldn't do that. At least I know, at great risk, that most of the components are ok. (All paper & electrolytics will be changed by myself)

Anyway, if you look at the pictures, what ideas have the forum members got, for fixing the hole in the cabinet base. The rest of the cabinet is in a nice condition. Colin

mark pirate · 21st Jun 2023, 2:40 pm

I have repaired a set with similar damage, I used a piece of glass covered in cling film to the bottom of the cabinet, then filled in the missing section with automotive fibreglass paste from the inside, once cured, it was sanded & painted.

The results were excellent, the cabinet was now solid & safe.

Mark

stevehertz · 21st Jun 2023, 2:43 pm

I think Mark's advice is sound.

vintage_8bit · 21st Jun 2023, 4:09 pm

Thanks Mark, that sounds like a good idea.. I will have a go at that then, after I have finished the chassis. Colin.

marceljack · 21st Jun 2023, 4:22 pm

Since the damaged part is not visible when the set is in normal position, another solution could be to cut properly the damaged part (following the red lines) and to put inside (between the case and the chassis) a cardboard plate (figured by the yellow lines).
The part which would appear is shown in brown/violet on the modified photograph.
Maybe the previous owner made this "hole" to access components without removing the chassis ?

vintage_8bit · 21st Jun 2023, 5:02 pm

Thanks for the further suggestion.

"Maybe the previous owner made this "hole" to access the
components without removing the chassis ?"

I havent found any sign of previous repairs yet, other than a 6P25 fitted in the output stage. I will be monitoring the cathode current here on its 1st power up. Colin

vintage_8bit · 7th Aug 2023, 8:37 pm

I have now finished my work on the chassis and it's working well. No big problems & the alignment went OK, once I had the L/O on the high side instead of the low side on S.W.

Back to the case. Mark, you mentioned above, automotive fibreglass paste, do you recommend any specific make?.

How easy is it to remove the cling film once the process is complete?

Colin.

vintage_8bit · 26th Aug 2023, 10:38 pm

I have now compleated the case repair using Marks suggestion. I used Isopon P40 1st, with the fibreglass strands, & P38 a finer filler to fill in any gaps afterwards. The cling film came off easily & in one piece. I was very pleased with the results. I spray painted it afterwards, with the nearest colour I could find at Halfords. Colin

vinrads · 27th Aug 2023, 11:35 am

Nice job Colin, was the paint Rio Brown by any chance? Mick.

stevehertz · 27th Aug 2023, 12:41 pm

Must be, Mick!

vintage_8bit · 27th Aug 2023, 1:00 pm

Good try!. Vauxhall "Brazil Brown", looked a good match in the store, not that it maters to much on the underside. Colin

David G4EBT · 27th Aug 2023, 3:03 pm

Top job!

Really well done with that, cosmetically and structurally.

vintage_8bit · 27th Aug 2023, 3:53 pm

Thanks David. It's the first time I have attempted anything like that, I am grateful for the help from the forum members.
Now it's complete the radio is sounding good, listening right now, to Radio Caroline. I have posted in the wanted section for some backboard clips to finish it. I do like Ekco, I have an A28 & a PB189 as well. Colin

20th Jun 2023, 6:59 pm	#1
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Ekco A23 case repair. This is my next restoration. It all seems very origional & not messed about with. When I picked it up the previous owner had plugged it in & was listening to it. They didn't seem bothered when I explaned why you shouldn't do that. At least I know, at great risk, that most of the components are ok. (All paper & electrolytics will be changed by myself) Anyway, if you look at the pictures, what ideas have the forum members got, for fixing the hole in the cabinet base. The rest of the cabinet is in a nice condition. Colin Attached Thumbnails

21st Jun 2023, 2:40 pm	#2
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,182	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. I have repaired a set with similar damage, I used a piece of glass covered in cling film to the bottom of the cabinet, then filled in the missing section with automotive fibreglass paste from the inside, once cured, it was sanded & painted. The results were excellent, the cabinet was now solid & safe. Mark

21st Jun 2023, 2:43 pm	#3
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,655	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. I think Mark's advice is sound. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

21st Jun 2023, 4:09 pm	#4
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Thanks Mark, that sounds like a good idea.. I will have a go at that then, after I have finished the chassis. Colin.

21st Jun 2023, 4:22 pm	#5
marceljack Pentode Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Paris, France. Posts: 188	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Since the damaged part is not visible when the set is in normal position, another solution could be to cut properly the damaged part (following the red lines) and to put inside (between the case and the chassis) a cardboard plate (figured by the yellow lines). The part which would appear is shown in brown/violet on the modified photograph. Maybe the previous owner made this "hole" to access components without removing the chassis ? Attached Thumbnails

21st Jun 2023, 5:02 pm	#6
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Thanks for the further suggestion. "Maybe the previous owner made this "hole" to access the components without removing the chassis ?" I havent found any sign of previous repairs yet, other than a 6P25 fitted in the output stage. I will be monitoring the cathode current here on its 1st power up. Colin

7th Aug 2023, 8:37 pm	#7
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. I have now finished my work on the chassis and it's working well. No big problems & the alignment went OK, once I had the L/O on the high side instead of the low side on S.W. Back to the case. Mark, you mentioned above, automotive fibreglass paste, do you recommend any specific make?. How easy is it to remove the cling film once the process is complete? Colin.

26th Aug 2023, 10:38 pm	#8
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. I have now compleated the case repair using Marks suggestion. I used Isopon P40 1st, with the fibreglass strands, & P38 a finer filler to fill in any gaps afterwards. The cling film came off easily & in one piece. I was very pleased with the results. I spray painted it afterwards, with the nearest colour I could find at Halfords. Colin Attached Thumbnails

27th Aug 2023, 11:35 am	#9
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,655	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Nice job Colin, was the paint Rio Brown by any chance? Mick.

27th Aug 2023, 12:41 pm	#10
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,655	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Must be, Mick! __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

27th Aug 2023, 1:00 pm	#11
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Good try!. Vauxhall "Brazil Brown", looked a good match in the store, not that it maters to much on the underside. Colin

27th Aug 2023, 3:03 pm	#12
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,576	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Top job! Really well done with that, cosmetically and structurally. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

27th Aug 2023, 3:53 pm	#13
vintage_8bit Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 507	Re: Ekco A23 case repair. Thanks David. It's the first time I have attempted anything like that, I am grateful for the help from the forum members. Now it's complete the radio is sounding good, listening right now, to Radio Caroline. I have posted in the wanted section for some backboard clips to finish it. I do like Ekco, I have an A28 & a PB189 as well. Colin