Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

georgesgiralt · 16th Apr 2009, 6:31 pm

Hi !
On the Domestic radio forum, I reported that I'm restoring a Braun SK2/2 set.
The restoration involved changing some ceramic capacitors, one of them being double and totally peeled. And of course a lot of foil capacitors. The smoothing capacitors where surprisingly good with nearly no leak ! So it remained in place.
The selenium diode was worn out, heating so much I was unable to touch it. so it has been replaced by an 1N4007 with a 1nF 1kv in parallel and a 7 w 470 Ohm resistor to limit the current. This way the voltages are quite correct (a little on the low side though).
Having changed so much capacitors the set asked for a full alignment which was a little headache as I was unable to tune the VHF head to the 94 MHz specified in the trader's sheet. Even without the dust iron core, the oscillator was unable to get above 92 ~ 93 MHz depending on the ECC85 I plugged in.
Having a scrap chassis I get another iron core and the adjustment this time was like a walk in a park.
The set is perfect in FM and quite good on MW. (MW is of so little use in France that I won't bother too much, and as I think this set was not a "killer" in AM when out from factory, I think I'm right ;-) ).
The tube set is all original, from Telefunken, and even the EL84 is very good ! These sets where really well engineered from one end to the other ! The output valve/ transformer and speaker are quite perfectly assorted !
Then, I restored the caseS ! As you may know, I own two of them, the second chassis being out of hope. So I asked the friend I plan to offer the set which was her favourite colour and got no answer. So I choose a nice car black (with a metallic look ) and a bright red ....
I removed the cloth which was worn out, carefully removed the dial scale and cleaned it without removing the lettering, and chemically removed the original white paint on the metal grille, sanded it a little and painted it white using the same white paint I used on the previous Braun I restored, the SK25.
Then I painted one case black and the other one red.
I glued my cheese cloth on the grille, and let the paint cure. I've included a picture of the cheese cloth for you to understand what it is. (third picture)
When it was time to glue the dial, I make a test with the oldest dial (bi-tone of grey with less precise markings) and the newer one which is more sober. I opted for the plain white one.
I assembled the set twice, one for the red case and the other time into the black one.
I plan to give her the set in red with the black box as a spare and having a screwdriver in the pocket for a swap if she prefer the black version....
So here are the pictures : Which one do you prefer ?
I do hope she will be pleased !

chipp1968 · 16th Apr 2009, 6:38 pm

I think I prefer the black one , but both look nice

Tazman1966 · 16th Apr 2009, 7:42 pm

I think she'll want both so you'd better sort the "no hope" chassis out too

Me? I think I prefer the red.

Well done

AlanBeckett · 16th Apr 2009, 7:57 pm

I agree with tas, I'd want both.
Alan

howard · 16th Apr 2009, 9:06 pm

Well done Georges

A classic Dieter Rams designed Braun radio, very nice ..... I'd have them both too !

Howard

ajs37 · 17th Apr 2009, 11:21 am

I want the black one! Very stylish - excellent restoration Georges!

Andy

georgesgiralt · 18th Apr 2009, 10:20 am

So yesterday she got her present.
She prefer the red one. As I had not fastened the grille, I dismantled it in front of her. She was amazed by the compactness and number of valves.
Unfortunately, I broke the dial fixing on the capacitor shaft. I glued it with Super Glue, but I wonder if it will last.
I'm looking for a replacement (the capacitor is the one with the small shaft for the dial and the large shaft for the pointer type).

AdaLovelace · 21st Apr 2009, 2:53 pm

Definitively, the black one is too dark, it can't give goods news....
The red one (almost pink ?) is really hot !

Your friend is very lucky

Tim · 22nd Apr 2009, 3:48 pm

The black one.
Actually Georges they're both excellent, I just like black!

16th Apr 2009, 6:31 pm	#1
georgesgiralt Hexode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toulouse, France Posts: 406	Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? Hi ! On the Domestic radio forum, I reported that I'm restoring a Braun SK2/2 set. The restoration involved changing some ceramic capacitors, one of them being double and totally peeled. And of course a lot of foil capacitors. The smoothing capacitors where surprisingly good with nearly no leak ! So it remained in place. The selenium diode was worn out, heating so much I was unable to touch it. so it has been replaced by an 1N4007 with a 1nF 1kv in parallel and a 7 w 470 Ohm resistor to limit the current. This way the voltages are quite correct (a little on the low side though). Having changed so much capacitors the set asked for a full alignment which was a little headache as I was unable to tune the VHF head to the 94 MHz specified in the trader's sheet. Even without the dust iron core, the oscillator was unable to get above 92 ~ 93 MHz depending on the ECC85 I plugged in. Having a scrap chassis I get another iron core and the adjustment this time was like a walk in a park. The set is perfect in FM and quite good on MW. (MW is of so little use in France that I won't bother too much, and as I think this set was not a "killer" in AM when out from factory, I think I'm right ;-) ). The tube set is all original, from Telefunken, and even the EL84 is very good ! These sets where really well engineered from one end to the other ! The output valve/ transformer and speaker are quite perfectly assorted ! Then, I restored the caseS ! As you may know, I own two of them, the second chassis being out of hope. So I asked the friend I plan to offer the set which was her favourite colour and got no answer. So I choose a nice car black (with a metallic look ) and a bright red .... I removed the cloth which was worn out, carefully removed the dial scale and cleaned it without removing the lettering, and chemically removed the original white paint on the metal grille, sanded it a little and painted it white using the same white paint I used on the previous Braun I restored, the SK25. Then I painted one case black and the other one red. I glued my cheese cloth on the grille, and let the paint cure. I've included a picture of the cheese cloth for you to understand what it is. (third picture) When it was time to glue the dial, I make a test with the oldest dial (bi-tone of grey with less precise markings) and the newer one which is more sober. I opted for the plain white one. I assembled the set twice, one for the red case and the other time into the black one. I plan to give her the set in red with the black box as a spare and having a screwdriver in the pocket for a swap if she prefer the black version.... So here are the pictures : Which one do you prefer ? I do hope she will be pleased ! Attached Thumbnails

16th Apr 2009, 6:38 pm	#2
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? I think I prefer the black one , but both look nice

16th Apr 2009, 7:42 pm	#3
Tazman1966 Nonode Join Date: May 2006 Location: St Albans, Herts, UK. Posts: 2,193	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? I think she'll want both so you'd better sort the "no hope" chassis out too Me? I think I prefer the red. Well done __________________ All the very best, Tas

16th Apr 2009, 7:57 pm	#4
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? I agree with tas, I'd want both. Alan

16th Apr 2009, 9:06 pm	#5
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? Well done Georges A classic Dieter Rams designed Braun radio, very nice ..... I'd have them both too ! Howard

17th Apr 2009, 11:21 am	#6
ajs37 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? I want the black one! Very stylish - excellent restoration Georges! Andy

18th Apr 2009, 10:20 am	#7
georgesgiralt Hexode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toulouse, France Posts: 406	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? So yesterday she got her present. She prefer the red one. As I had not fastened the grille, I dismantled it in front of her. She was amazed by the compactness and number of valves. Unfortunately, I broke the dial fixing on the capacitor shaft. I glued it with Super Glue, but I wonder if it will last. I'm looking for a replacement (the capacitor is the one with the small shaft for the dial and the large shaft for the pointer type).

21st Apr 2009, 2:53 pm	#8
AdaLovelace Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toulouse, France Posts: 1	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? Definitively, the black one is too dark, it can't give goods news.... The red one (almost pink ?) is really hot ! Your friend is very lucky

22nd Apr 2009, 3:48 pm	#9
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Braun SK2/2 : which one do you prefer ? The black one. Actually Georges they're both excellent, I just like black! __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."