Dial for an American consul radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vinrads · 26th Oct 2023, 1:56 pm

I have decided to finish restoring this radio ,the cabinet was done some 15 years ago it's been on the roundtoit pile all this time , the main problem is the dial, it is on a photographic film, a light shines through onto a frosted glass screen ,the problem is the film is cracked ,looking for some ideas how to fix it . Mick.

McMurdo · 26th Oct 2023, 9:23 pm

ISTR glasslinger on Youtube fixed a similar problem with a film-style tuning arrangement, I can't remember what he did but he did it!

vinrads · 27th Oct 2023, 9:53 am

Thanks for that Kevin, I will do some research. Mick.

David G4EBT · 27th Oct 2023, 10:10 am

A chum who is a member of the America Antique Radio Forum (but not this one), spotted this thread and tells me that this topic has cropped up on the ARF in the past, so it might be worth heading over there and posting a query or doing a search Mick:

https://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php

Good luck with it.

McMurdo · 30th Oct 2023, 11:48 am

I've just found glasslinger's video, it was an Airline set. He reproduced the dial by making a reproduction one out of paper, drawing the alignment marks in with a pen whilst it was in situ on the working set, then undid it and scanned it on his flatbed scanner. He then re-drew the dial markings in a graphics programme and printed it onto OHP film, wrapping it back into a drum again. There were no sprocket holes as the radio didn't need them, the drum itself did the turning.

PS the dial resto starts around 44mins in (it's a long video!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXhdnRjG2k8

vinrads · 31st Oct 2023, 10:29 am

Thanks for that Kevin ,I saw it yesterday . I have managed to fit the film and super glue it sort of ,just awaiting a drive belt and a super bright LED . Mick.

26th Oct 2023, 1:56 pm	#1
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,655	Dial for an American consul radio I have decided to finish restoring this radio ,the cabinet was done some 15 years ago it's been on the roundtoit pile all this time , the main problem is the dial, it is on a photographic film, a light shines through onto a frosted glass screen ,the problem is the film is cracked ,looking for some ideas how to fix it . Mick. Attached Thumbnails

26th Oct 2023, 9:23 pm	#2
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,167	Re: Dial for an American consul radio ISTR glasslinger on Youtube fixed a similar problem with a film-style tuning arrangement, I can't remember what he did but he did it! __________________ Kevin

27th Oct 2023, 9:53 am	#3
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,655	Re: Dial for an American consul radio Thanks for that Kevin, I will do some research. Mick.

27th Oct 2023, 10:10 am	#4
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,576	Re: Dial for an American consul radio A chum who is a member of the America Antique Radio Forum (but not this one), spotted this thread and tells me that this topic has cropped up on the ARF in the past, so it might be worth heading over there and posting a query or doing a search Mick: https://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php Good luck with it. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

30th Oct 2023, 11:48 am	#5
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,167	Re: Dial for an American consul radio I've just found glasslinger's video, it was an Airline set. He reproduced the dial by making a reproduction one out of paper, drawing the alignment marks in with a pen whilst it was in situ on the working set, then undid it and scanned it on his flatbed scanner. He then re-drew the dial markings in a graphics programme and printed it onto OHP film, wrapping it back into a drum again. There were no sprocket holes as the radio didn't need them, the drum itself did the turning. PS the dial resto starts around 44mins in (it's a long video!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXhdnRjG2k8 Attached Thumbnails __________________ Kevin Last edited by McMurdo; 30th Oct 2023 at 11:54 am.

31st Oct 2023, 10:29 am	#6
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,655	Re: Dial for an American consul radio Thanks for that Kevin ,I saw it yesterday . I have managed to fit the film and super glue it sort of ,just awaiting a drive belt and a super bright LED . Mick. Last edited by vinrads; 31st Oct 2023 at 10:41 am.