Kolster Brandes - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Oldtimer74 · 27th Aug 2009, 12:03 pm

Can anyone identify this Kolster Brandes 2 valve set from probably the early 30s. It is a bakelite case with built in moving iron loudspeaker but batteries are all external. To help the two moulded mica condensers are marked Dubilier 665. the valves are BC18 (French made) and PM2A. I would like to identify modela nd year if possible.
Pat G3IKR

kibble · 27th Aug 2009, 12:35 pm

Hi Pat,

That looks likes the KB Masterpiece. A 1930 set given away for cigarette coupons! See the book Radio! Radio!. A very simple 2-valve design. I have a circuit I drew some time ago from examining a set. If you wish I could dig it out for you.

Regards
Keith

Oldtimer74 · 27th Aug 2009, 11:34 pm

Thanks Keith. Unfortunately although I have a large collection of wireless books i don`t seem to have Radio! Radio! although I have heard of it.
Don`t worry about the circuit, as you say it is very simple. The set works extremely well and the quality is surprising. It is also rather more sensitive than I would have expected and will pick up a number of stations on a short piece of wire dangling onto the floor. In fact it doesn`t like a long aerial!
I wonder if you know what the original valves were? I guess the BC18 might be original. certainly a somewhat strange set for 1930 as by this time people were expecting the batteries to be inside the set not external.
I will have to have a look in my old WWs and see if the brand of cigarette was ever advertised there.

Pat G3IKR

AVO_VCM163 · 28th Aug 2009, 12:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldtimer74

.......I wonder if you know what the original valves were? I guess the BC18 might be original. ............
Pat G3IKR

According to some notes I have they were PM1HF and 220P.
R

chipp1968 · 28th Aug 2009, 8:48 am

How many batteries does it need ?

kibble · 28th Aug 2009, 10:15 am

According to Radio! Radio! the model was made for Godfrey Philips Ltd, London. 500 coupons were required, one per pack of BDV (best dark virginia) 6d per pack total outlay £12. 10s. 0d. Valves were French made "Fotos". In 1931 another set was produced called Masterpiece, but that was 3 valve with a wooden case, also shown in Radio! Radio!. The book is very good well worth buying.

My set has PM1HF & 220P valves fitted. External batteries required for 2x HT (Tapped battery Det & AF amp), LT, & Bias.

Regards
Keith

Oldtimer74 · 28th Aug 2009, 7:21 pm

Many thanks gentlemen for all that info. I guess my BC18 made by Fotos is original then. Surprising that the flying lead did not short out the unwanted coil section to earth. I would confirm the circuit diagram. I use 75 and 108 volts for HT.
Unfortunately the catch on the box which the spring loaded button on the lid shuts into is missing. It is not obvious what shape this is although I could make up something to make it work. Any chance of a rough sketch or even just a description?

Pat G3IKR

kibble · 29th Aug 2009, 10:03 am

Hi Pat,

I have a masterpiece, but the bottom half (chassis section of case) retaining catch is missing. The top half (speaker section of case) has the lock push button, which is attached to a protruding tongue. I can supply pictures but from your description it sounds like we are both missing the same part.

Keith

Oldtimer74 · 29th Aug 2009, 9:31 pm

Yes I agree! However I may be seeing another set tomorrow and will make a sketch if it is suitable. Could then make 2 and let you have one.
Pat G3IKR

kibble · 30th Aug 2009, 10:27 am

Thanks Pat, that's a very generous offer. It would be good to get the catch working again. I look forward to hearing if your successful.

Keith

Oldtimer74 · 30th Aug 2009, 11:14 pm

Hi Keith. unfortunately the set I saw was the later KB also guiven away with cigarette coupons. It is exactly the same circuit etc but in a wooden box with space for the batteries. also featured in Radio Radio.
So I will have to devise a suitable catch to go with the rather strange shaped bit in the lid. Will then let you have one.
pat

27th Aug 2009, 12:03 pm	#1
Oldtimer74 Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 330	Kolster Brandes Can anyone identify this Kolster Brandes 2 valve set from probably the early 30s. It is a bakelite case with built in moving iron loudspeaker but batteries are all external. To help the two moulded mica condensers are marked Dubilier 665. the valves are BC18 (French made) and PM2A. I would like to identify modela nd year if possible. Pat G3IKR Attached Thumbnails

27th Aug 2009, 12:35 pm	#2
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Kolster Brandes Hi Pat, That looks likes the KB Masterpiece. A 1930 set given away for cigarette coupons! See the book Radio! Radio!. A very simple 2-valve design. I have a circuit I drew some time ago from examining a set. If you wish I could dig it out for you. Regards Keith

27th Aug 2009, 11:34 pm	#3
Oldtimer74 Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 330	Re: Kolster Brandes Thanks Keith. Unfortunately although I have a large collection of wireless books i don`t seem to have Radio! Radio! although I have heard of it. Don`t worry about the circuit, as you say it is very simple. The set works extremely well and the quality is surprising. It is also rather more sensitive than I would have expected and will pick up a number of stations on a short piece of wire dangling onto the floor. In fact it doesn`t like a long aerial! I wonder if you know what the original valves were? I guess the BC18 might be original. certainly a somewhat strange set for 1930 as by this time people were expecting the batteries to be inside the set not external. I will have to have a look in my old WWs and see if the brand of cigarette was ever advertised there. Pat G3IKR

28th Aug 2009, 8:48 am	#5
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Kolster Brandes How many batteries does it need ?

28th Aug 2009, 10:15 am	#6
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Kolster Brandes According to Radio! Radio! the model was made for Godfrey Philips Ltd, London. 500 coupons were required, one per pack of BDV (best dark virginia) 6d per pack total outlay £12. 10s. 0d. Valves were French made "Fotos". In 1931 another set was produced called Masterpiece, but that was 3 valve with a wooden case, also shown in Radio! Radio!. The book is very good well worth buying. My set has PM1HF & 220P valves fitted. External batteries required for 2x HT (Tapped battery Det & AF amp), LT, & Bias. Regards Keith Attached Thumbnails

28th Aug 2009, 7:21 pm	#7
Oldtimer74 Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 330	Re: Kolster Brandes Many thanks gentlemen for all that info. I guess my BC18 made by Fotos is original then. Surprising that the flying lead did not short out the unwanted coil section to earth. I would confirm the circuit diagram. I use 75 and 108 volts for HT. Unfortunately the catch on the box which the spring loaded button on the lid shuts into is missing. It is not obvious what shape this is although I could make up something to make it work. Any chance of a rough sketch or even just a description? Pat G3IKR

29th Aug 2009, 10:03 am	#8
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Kolster Brandes Hi Pat, I have a masterpiece, but the bottom half (chassis section of case) retaining catch is missing. The top half (speaker section of case) has the lock push button, which is attached to a protruding tongue. I can supply pictures but from your description it sounds like we are both missing the same part. Keith

29th Aug 2009, 9:31 pm	#9
Oldtimer74 Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 330	Re: Kolster Brandes Yes I agree! However I may be seeing another set tomorrow and will make a sketch if it is suitable. Could then make 2 and let you have one. Pat G3IKR

30th Aug 2009, 10:27 am	#10
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Kolster Brandes Thanks Pat, that's a very generous offer. It would be good to get the catch working again. I look forward to hearing if your successful. Keith

30th Aug 2009, 11:14 pm	#11
Oldtimer74 Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 330	Re: Kolster Brandes Hi Keith. unfortunately the set I saw was the later KB also guiven away with cigarette coupons. It is exactly the same circuit etc but in a wooden box with space for the batteries. also featured in Radio Radio. So I will have to devise a suitable catch to go with the rather strange shaped bit in the lid. Will then let you have one. pat