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Old 4th Apr 2016, 8:56 am   #41
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Take care not to breathe dust from cutting/drilling/routing MDF.

You can always stick a thermometer into the top of the cabinet and see whether there is a worrying amount of hot air building up. If there isn't then the back ventilation is OK.

Safety testing for finished products involves checking that a brass jointed replica of an adult's finger and a child sized one can't reach in enough to touch anything regrettable. While you're not going to go this far in testing, it's a sensible benchmark.

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Old 4th Apr 2016, 10:11 am   #42
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Quite a lot of hardboard-back radios seemed to have a long, half-inch or so scallop along the top edge as well as the holes- I imagine this would have helped convection quite well, maybe in some cases it was an easy-at-production afterthought as I wouldn't be surprised if the original typically small, rough-edged holes weren't that good for airflow. Probably proof against most things short of a determinedly self-destructive child with a wire coat-hanger, too, though it might fall short of modern requirements.
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Old 4th Apr 2016, 1:40 pm   #43
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Hi Mark Thanks for that it would just be to cover the back for safety but without causing overheating if I can get the set to work. These sets seem fairly common so there must be a back out there somewhere. Turretslugs comment is a fair point as there is nothing in reach of fingers in the top half of the cabinet ( I have disconnected and removed the extension speaker wiring but have left the switch in place) So a row of larger holes may take the place of the scallops he mentions also with a proper mains transformer there is hopefully nothing in easy reach that carry's mains. So perhaps as David suggests checking with a thermometer is the way to go? I am loath to spend a lot of time on the back panel as these sets seem cheaply obtainable with a back panel there is one on e bay at the moment for a fiver which may of course go up but collectable from Derbyshire. My problem is I know I wouldn't break it!! The one I am working on at present was bought for £6 for parts! And if patent enough I am sure a cover will turn up or one attached to a complete wreck without having to break a potently viable set.

Last edited by Oldelectronics; 4th Apr 2016 at 1:48 pm.
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Old 5th Apr 2016, 10:03 am   #44
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Default Re: Battered AC34

All Finished now apart from the missing back panel which I unless I come upon one I will make a temporary one from peg board Set woken up recapped and fitted back in the cabinet and is currently soak testing on Gold I am pleased I didn't scrap it for spares I know its not as original as filler not veneer was used but I am happy with it and its odd historical 'war wound!'
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Old 5th Apr 2016, 11:28 am   #45
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Nice work. It looks very presentable, and I bet it sounds good with its big Celestion speaker.

With one or two exceptions, you can't beat Bush sets for build quality and ease of servicing.

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Old 5th Apr 2016, 2:29 pm   #46
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Nothing wrong with that... very presentable. Well done!
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Old 5th Apr 2016, 5:34 pm   #47
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Thanks Guys I do though Like Bush sets and have bought an AC31 for my next project and hopefully It will be ok. Time to start looking for a biggish shed as these radios are addictive!
And were especially in winter when little can be done outside.

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Old 6th Apr 2016, 10:53 pm   #48
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Default Re: Battered AC34

That's turned out really well, inside and out- a rescued and attractive looking case, and a revitalised chassis you could eat the proverbial dinner off.

And you're certainly not alone in acquiring a set as a scrapper, and then not having the heart to break it! I reckon that's probably a substantial part of the reason for the growth of many collections.
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Old 6th Apr 2016, 11:24 pm   #49
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Thank you for the kind comments I am glad I am not the only one who doesn't have the heart to break a possibly viable set! I was beginning to worry I really must get a shed now!!

Kev
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Old 7th Apr 2016, 9:42 am   #50
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Default Re: Battered AC34

Quote:
I am glad I am not the only one who doesn't have the heart to break a possibly viable set! I was beginning to worry I really must get a shed now!!
It certainly can be an addictive hobby, even worse if like me you get into vintage TV

I agree that Bush built things that were well engineered and perform well, Nearly half of my collection are Bush products, with Pye comming a close second.

If you do get yourself a shed, make sure it is damp proofed and well insulated.

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Old 7th Apr 2016, 12:17 pm   #51
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Default Re: Battered AC34

That if I get one I definitely will do Mark having seen the ravages of damp on the bottom of my last AC34 plus of course damage to chassis and components.

regards

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