Ferguson 384 cabinet problem - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

telstar · 5th Jan 2006, 9:23 pm

Hi. I have a Ferguson 384U "Finesse" ac/dc valve radio of the late 1950's, with "piano key" switching.
My set had a problem where the escutcheon (located at the lower front, under the aperture for the push buttons) had been broken off from the cabinet. It has two lugs that protrude into the inside of the cabinet, which are then held in place by speed nuts.
Some damage had been caused to the inside of the cabinet where the two lugs had been. I cleaned up the area, and fitted aluminium mesh on the inside of the cabinet (glued in place with epoxy resin) where the damage was. I filled in the voids with "Power Putty", which is made by Loctite. It sets in 10 minutes, so you have to ensure that your hands and tools that you use are all clean before the material goes rock hard. It is another useful aid in restoring cabinets.
I have drilled some holes for locating the escutcheon in to the front of the cabinet, and I will be using nuts & bolts to secure it in place of the pillar(s) and speed nuts that were formerly used. The heads of the bolts are to be set in putty on the back of the escutcheon
Hopefully, the set will be as good as new, as these 384U's are not often seen at radio swapmeets, so spare parts are not always available.
Regards
Mike

5th Jan 2006, 9:23 pm	#1
telstar Octode Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,592	Ferguson 384 cabinet problem Hi. I have a Ferguson 384U "Finesse" ac/dc valve radio of the late 1950's, with "piano key" switching. My set had a problem where the escutcheon (located at the lower front, under the aperture for the push buttons) had been broken off from the cabinet. It has two lugs that protrude into the inside of the cabinet, which are then held in place by speed nuts. Some damage had been caused to the inside of the cabinet where the two lugs had been. I cleaned up the area, and fitted aluminium mesh on the inside of the cabinet (glued in place with epoxy resin) where the damage was. I filled in the voids with "Power Putty", which is made by Loctite. It sets in 10 minutes, so you have to ensure that your hands and tools that you use are all clean before the material goes rock hard. It is another useful aid in restoring cabinets. I have drilled some holes for locating the escutcheon in to the front of the cabinet, and I will be using nuts & bolts to secure it in place of the pillar(s) and speed nuts that were formerly used. The heads of the bolts are to be set in putty on the back of the escutcheon Hopefully, the set will be as good as new, as these 384U's are not often seen at radio swapmeets, so spare parts are not always available. Regards Mike