S.G.Brown cabinet speaker restoration - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

newlite4 · 15th Mar 2006, 12:50 pm

This follows on from my thread here : https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=6462
The speaker was well worthy of restoration with its striking architectural lines and detail. The 3/16" plywood fretwork had severely dried out which had made it very fragile. At some stage, the fret had been pushed in resulting in fracture of many of the 'spokes', the plywood was also badly delaminating with tiny pieces breaking away. The silk behind the fretwork had also seen better days. The harp in the centre was coming apart, this is only 1" high and is made of individual mahogany strips.
Restoration required replacement of many missing pieces with slivers of mahogany and re-bonding of the laminate, each section being clamped before moving on to the next bit. Wood glue was diluted and brushed into the fret to strengthen the bond of the laminate. After sanding, staining and a coating of Danish oil, the cabinet looked much better. I located some ivory silk for the grille since the original had deteriorated too badly to re-use. Rather than attach the silk with pins as had originally been done, I made a frame out of hardwood that fitted inside the cabinet to which the silk was attached with double sided tape.
Overall, the appearance is quite acceptable and physically the fretwork is much stronger, only on close inspection can the replacement sections be seen.
Neil

Nickthedentist · 15th Mar 2006, 7:53 pm

Looks marvellous, Neil, your hard work was well worth it

newlite4 · 16th Mar 2006, 10:10 am

Thanks Nick, I think that half way through I wondered what I had taken on

, but the end result made it worthwhile.
Neil

15th Mar 2006, 12:50 pm	#1
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	S.G.Brown cabinet speaker restoration This follows on from my thread here : https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=6462 The speaker was well worthy of restoration with its striking architectural lines and detail. The 3/16" plywood fretwork had severely dried out which had made it very fragile. At some stage, the fret had been pushed in resulting in fracture of many of the 'spokes', the plywood was also badly delaminating with tiny pieces breaking away. The silk behind the fretwork had also seen better days. The harp in the centre was coming apart, this is only 1" high and is made of individual mahogany strips. Restoration required replacement of many missing pieces with slivers of mahogany and re-bonding of the laminate, each section being clamped before moving on to the next bit. Wood glue was diluted and brushed into the fret to strengthen the bond of the laminate. After sanding, staining and a coating of Danish oil, the cabinet looked much better. I located some ivory silk for the grille since the original had deteriorated too badly to re-use. Rather than attach the silk with pins as had originally been done, I made a frame out of hardwood that fitted inside the cabinet to which the silk was attached with double sided tape. Overall, the appearance is quite acceptable and physically the fretwork is much stronger, only on close inspection can the replacement sections be seen. Neil Attached Thumbnails

15th Mar 2006, 7:53 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: S.G.Brown cabinet speaker restoration Looks marvellous, Neil, your hard work was well worth it

16th Mar 2006, 10:10 am	#3
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: S.G.Brown cabinet speaker restoration Thanks Nick, I think that half way through I wondered what I had taken on , but the end result made it worthwhile. Neil