Murphy V180 restoration. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FERNSEH · 30th Sep 2014, 11:31 am

This rather sad lookng Murphy V180 came my way last year. I bought it from an eBay seller in Batley Yorkshire.
As you can see from the pictures it is in very poor condition, so bad some would consider it a write off, not me of course and work has started already.
For the first stage of the resto job I've made a start on stabilising the cabinet. The batten that supports the rear castors is missing so a new one has been made.
The CRT is broken, it's a Mazda CRM121. I have a Mazda CRM123 which is the the aluminised version of the 121. Although the CRM123 is intended for 9KV EHT it can be used in sets that have lower EHT voltages.

DFWB.

Focus Diode · 30th Sep 2014, 2:00 pm

Poor thing! It's certainly in the right hands. I'm sure it'll look and work great when you've finished.

Look forward to seeing it and the Griffin sets soon.

Cheers,
Brian

FERNSEH · 30th Sep 2014, 3:24 pm

Hi Brian,
It certainly is a poor wretched thing. Anyway, there's hope for it.
That's the new batten in place. It looks as if the rear bottom corners of the cabinet have been rounded off. I don't think it was made that way.

DFWB.

mark pirate · 30th Sep 2014, 7:09 pm

And I thought my Ekco TC208 was in a sorry state

It certainly looks like a typically odd Murphy layout, I will be watching with great interest, It may even make me get back to my V150!

Mark

G6Tanuki · 30th Sep 2014, 7:23 pm

I commend you in taking on the task of rehabilitation of such a deeply- and long-term-traumatized TV, and look forward to reports of 'first-light'.

[but at the same time I question your sanity at volunteering to this task].

Heatercathodeshort · 30th Sep 2014, 8:24 pm

Ha ha! I have an even older Murphy 12" console arriving tomorrow. One with a very large transformer in the base.. Yours looks beyond redemption David and may end in tears. I have some super projects for the coming winter. Regards, John.

FERNSEH · 30th Sep 2014, 8:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6Tanuki

[but at the same time I question your sanity at volunteering to this task].

You think that this one is bad. Remember the Masteradio T852 I restored last year? The Murphy is gonna be a cakewalk compared with that one.

DFWB.

G6Tanuki · 30th Sep 2014, 9:32 pm

*grin*. We're all vaguely insane in our own unique and disparate ways.

FERNSEH · 1st Oct 2014, 11:28 am

Restoration work continues. The chassis was fitted into the chassis and as you can see the cabinet is hopelessly twisted. The set square shows how much. On the top left side there should be a triangular corner piece to stiffen the structure, it's missing so I've made one and it was clamped and glued into place this morning.

Also, a picture of the chassis.

DFWB.

hansomcommon · 1st Oct 2014, 11:50 am

Great work, well done, I salute you!

Heatercathodeshort · 1st Oct 2014, 12:45 pm

Gawd! Have you ever seen the like of that chassis. Murphy madness at it's peak..John.

FERNSEH · 1st Oct 2014, 1:32 pm

Murphy strangenessness, Note the position of the 6P28 line output valve.
The chassis was designed to use a PEN45 which is a shorter valve, hence the 90 degree adaptor bracket.

DFWB.

Heatercathodeshort · 2nd Oct 2014, 8:10 am

Snap! My Murphy arrived yesterday! I was expecting a V118C with mains EHT but an orphan V180C has arrived. It is filthy, just how I like them but complete in every way even down to the back screws.
I was thinking it only fair to give you a couple of days headstart to first light as yours is in a slightly worse condition than mine

but due to other pressures at the moment I do not intend to start this project for a couple of months and will post the details as I go.
Just a few pictures to keep you going. The cabinet appears to be in good condition with just a damp cloth bringing up the shine. The only snag might be the black painted decoration on the implosion screen surround which is flaking off. It may be possible to use a net curtain as a screen together with spray paint. A minor problem for the future. The internals look good but the condition of the Mazda CRM121 is unknown but no isolation/boost transformer if fitted so it might be OK. Those vision and sound IF transformers are huge! Good luck with yours. Regards, John.

Freya · 2nd Oct 2014, 8:16 am

Does the net curtain act as a diffuser for the paint John ?

mark pirate · 2nd Oct 2014, 9:06 am

Quote:

the condition of the Mazda CRM121 is unknown but no isolation/boost transformer if fitted so it might be OK.

Here's hoping you have a good one

The CRT in my V150 seems to have a healthy looking getter, and the heater is ok. But with no EHT on the set, it is hard to tell.

It certainly looks a better starting point than David's set, but I am sure he will work his magic on it!

Mark

FERNSEH · 2nd Oct 2014, 11:48 am

This job calls for heavy machinery. With the help of two sash cramps the cabinet will be forced into it's correct shape. Notice that another cramp is used to press the cabinet together in the other direction. I'm gonna make sure this cabinet becomes strong again. Actually the plywood used in the construction is only 3/8 inch thick. It is not a heavy cabinet.
The piece of wood at the bottom of the cabinet side has a groove cut in to it because the the sides extend beyond the floor. Without that lump of wood there is nothing to set the clamps into position.
Checked out with the set square the the inside angle of the cabinet is correct. Just what happens when the clamps are removed we'll just have to wait and see.

DFWB.

Lloyd 1985 · 2nd Oct 2014, 6:49 pm

Looks to be coming along nicely!

John, yours looks in good condition!

I've found the thread I started about mine many moons ago here, shows I didn't get very far without the manual! Now I have it I'll have to dig it out and have another bash at it

It'll have to wait until I've finished painting the new shed...

Regards,
Lloyd.

FERNSEH · 3rd Oct 2014, 5:29 pm

The chassis now sits in the cabinet correctly. I'm considering fitting two spacers between the battens which are situated half way up the side panels and the chassis side members. The idea is to locate the chassis in what is not a very rigid cabinet structure. It's likely this was never a very stiff cabinet.

DFWB.

DangerMan · 3rd Oct 2014, 5:44 pm

How about extending the idea into a side to side strut, removable like the ones in Thorn cabinets used to be so you could get their tube out ? Big long self tappers and captive threads in clips come to memory.

FERNSEH · 3rd Oct 2014, 8:13 pm

Hi Dangerman
I think I understand where you're at. A full width metal bar which is the same width as the cabinet width is between the side battens. Attach the bar/strut to the metalwork and result is a mighty strong structure.
I comes as a surprise when one considers how well Murphy products were engineered this set was made with such a floppy cabinet.

DFWB.

30th Sep 2014, 11:31 am	#1
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Murphy V180 restoration. This rather sad lookng Murphy V180 came my way last year. I bought it from an eBay seller in Batley Yorkshire. As you can see from the pictures it is in very poor condition, so bad some would consider it a write off, not me of course and work has started already. For the first stage of the resto job I've made a start on stabilising the cabinet. The batten that supports the rear castors is missing so a new one has been made. The CRT is broken, it's a Mazda CRM121. I have a Mazda CRM123 which is the the aluminised version of the 121. Although the CRM123 is intended for 9KV EHT it can be used in sets that have lower EHT voltages. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by FERNSEH; 30th Sep 2014 at 11:44 am.

30th Sep 2014, 2:00 pm	#2
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Poor thing! It's certainly in the right hands. I'm sure it'll look and work great when you've finished. Look forward to seeing it and the Griffin sets soon. Cheers, Brian

30th Sep 2014, 3:24 pm	#3
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Hi Brian, It certainly is a poor wretched thing. Anyway, there's hope for it. That's the new batten in place. It looks as if the rear bottom corners of the cabinet have been rounded off. I don't think it was made that way. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

30th Sep 2014, 7:09 pm	#4
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. And I thought my Ekco TC208 was in a sorry state It certainly looks like a typically odd Murphy layout, I will be watching with great interest, It may even make me get back to my V150! Mark

30th Sep 2014, 7:23 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,995	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. I commend you in taking on the task of rehabilitation of such a deeply- and long-term-traumatized TV, and look forward to reports of 'first-light'. [but at the same time I question your sanity at volunteering to this task].

30th Sep 2014, 8:24 pm	#6
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Ha ha! I have an even older Murphy 12" console arriving tomorrow. One with a very large transformer in the base.. Yours looks beyond redemption David and may end in tears. I have some super projects for the coming winter. Regards, John.

30th Sep 2014, 9:32 pm	#8
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,995	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. grin. We're all vaguely insane in our own unique and disparate ways.

1st Oct 2014, 11:28 am	#9
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Restoration work continues. The chassis was fitted into the chassis and as you can see the cabinet is hopelessly twisted. The set square shows how much. On the top left side there should be a triangular corner piece to stiffen the structure, it's missing so I've made one and it was clamped and glued into place this morning. Also, a picture of the chassis. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

1st Oct 2014, 11:50 am	#10
hansomcommon Pentode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Alton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 170	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Great work, well done, I salute you!

1st Oct 2014, 12:45 pm	#11
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Gawd! Have you ever seen the like of that chassis. Murphy madness at it's peak..John.

1st Oct 2014, 1:32 pm	#12
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Murphy strangenessness, Note the position of the 6P28 line output valve. The chassis was designed to use a PEN45 which is a shorter valve, hence the 90 degree adaptor bracket. DFWB.

2nd Oct 2014, 8:10 am	#13
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Snap! My Murphy arrived yesterday! I was expecting a V118C with mains EHT but an orphan V180C has arrived. It is *filthy*, just how I like them but complete in every way even down to the back screws. I was thinking it only fair to give you a couple of days headstart to first light as yours is in a slightly worse condition than mine but due to other pressures at the moment I do not intend to start this project for a couple of months and will post the details as I go. Just a few pictures to keep you going. The cabinet appears to be in good condition with just a damp cloth bringing up the shine. The only snag might be the black painted decoration on the implosion screen surround which is flaking off. It may be possible to use a net curtain as a screen together with spray paint. A minor problem for the future. The internals look good but the condition of the Mazda CRM121 is unknown but no isolation/boost transformer if fitted so it might be OK. Those vision and sound IF transformers are huge! Good luck with yours. Regards, John. Attached Thumbnails

2nd Oct 2014, 8:16 am	#14
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,989	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Does the net curtain act as a diffuser for the paint John ? __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___

2nd Oct 2014, 11:48 am	#16
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. This job calls for heavy machinery. With the help of two sash cramps the cabinet will be forced into it's correct shape. Notice that another cramp is used to press the cabinet together in the other direction. I'm gonna make sure this cabinet becomes strong again. Actually the plywood used in the construction is only 3/8 inch thick. It is not a heavy cabinet. The piece of wood at the bottom of the cabinet side has a groove cut in to it because the the sides extend beyond the floor. Without that lump of wood there is nothing to set the clamps into position. Checked out with the set square the the inside angle of the cabinet is correct. Just what happens when the clamps are removed we'll just have to wait and see. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by FERNSEH; 2nd Oct 2014 at 12:01 pm.

2nd Oct 2014, 6:49 pm	#17
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,817	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Looks to be coming along nicely! John, yours looks in good condition! I've found the thread I started about mine many moons ago here, shows I didn't get very far without the manual! Now I have it I'll have to dig it out and have another bash at it It'll have to wait until I've finished painting the new shed... Regards, Lloyd.

3rd Oct 2014, 5:29 pm	#18
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. The chassis now sits in the cabinet correctly. I'm considering fitting two spacers between the battens which are situated half way up the side panels and the chassis side members. The idea is to locate the chassis in what is not a very rigid cabinet structure. It's likely this was never a very stiff cabinet. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

3rd Oct 2014, 5:44 pm	#19
DangerMan Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 719	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. How about extending the idea into a side to side strut, removable like the ones in Thorn cabinets used to be so you could get their tube out ? Big long self tappers and captive threads in clips come to memory.

3rd Oct 2014, 8:13 pm	#20
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Murphy V180 restoration. Hi Dangerman I think I understand where you're at. A full width metal bar which is the same width as the cabinet width is between the side battens. Attach the bar/strut to the metalwork and result is a mighty strong structure. I comes as a surprise when one considers how well Murphy products were engineered this set was made with such a floppy cabinet. DFWB.