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Old 14th Oct 2012, 8:06 pm   #1
mark pirate
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Default Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Judging by it's filthy state, this set had obviously spent a lot of years in an outbuilding before I got it. Although the back was present there were no screws holding it on, but it was all present and correct bar the missing mains lead which has a two-pin effort similar to a Bush DAC90A.

The set dates around the early 1950's and stated on the back is "Property of Radio Rentals and must not be sold". It is an AC-only set, and being a rental set it is well designed for quick removal of the chassis and ease of repair.

After removing the chassis, a quick look in the spares box turned up a suitable mains plug. This was attached to a new lead and the set gently woken up via my variac. Apart from the usual dirty pots and switches the set was working well on all three bands so after cleaning the chassis I replaced all the old wax caps. This was all going well until a valveholder pin snapped off without much provocation. Luckily there were unused pins on the rectifier valvebase, so this was fitted and work continued apace until yet another snapped off . This was also fitted from the rectifier valvebase.

Now time to restring the tuner. It was noted that someone had tried to repair it in the past by tying it together, also the scale pointer was long gone. A rummage in the spares box turned up a suitable item.

Removal of the dial glass was a bit worrying as it is quite thin glass held it place with metal spring clips that locate into holes on the chassis, so great care was taken not to damage it.

With this removed, I oiled the pulleys and tuning drive and worked out how it should be routed. After getting it back to front I finally got it right, then modified the dial pointer to fit the set. This was a total success and the chassis was left happily playing on the bench while I tackled the cabinet.

The bakelite cabinet was washed clean inside and out using warm water and Fairy Liquid, then left to dry. The 'speaker grille is that white plastic material used by Roberts, Ekco and even Dansette; this can get brittle with age and is easily damaged. I laid it flat on the draining board and soaked it with Flash kitchen spray with bleach, the gave it a going over with a nailbrush with great
results.

The dial glass was carefully cleaned and refitted. The case and knobs were polished using T-cut, the 'speaker was cleaned and refitted along with its grille, the chassis was refitted and as a final touch, I repainted the white bands on the knobs.

I really like this set, plain and functional, yet a good performer across all three bands. The sound is also very good due to the large cabinet and 8" Elac speaker. The cabinet has really come up well despite how matt it was after washing it.

This is the second RR set in my collection, now I want a pre-war one to restore.


Mark

The before photos....
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Old 14th Oct 2012, 8:11 pm   #2
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

The chassis....
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Old 14th Oct 2012, 8:13 pm   #3
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

The cabinet....
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Old 14th Oct 2012, 10:09 pm   #4
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Hi Mark,

That looks a treat! nice work

I have a 1960 ac/dc Radio rentals set to tackle and will be pleased if it turns out as good as yours.

Alan
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Old 15th Oct 2012, 3:38 pm   #5
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Lovely work!

You've made a very nice job of that inside and out.

I'm a big fan of RR sets, they seem to be well built and perform very well!

I've had problems with the valve bases they used as well though!
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Old 15th Oct 2012, 4:10 pm   #6
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

To echo what Josh has said, these sets are generally extraordinarily easy to service, and perform well.

Some are beautiful whilst others are pig-ugly though. I have one of each, and yours is somewhere in between Here's my ugly duckling: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=20730

Your restoration is superb - well done.

I note that yours has a Paxolin panel rivetted to the back panel. My AC/DC one has exactly the same arrangement, whilst my AC-only one doesn't, which makes sense. I can't really see the point of it on your set though.

Nick.
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 6:05 pm   #7
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

The set, has been used all day, every day, for more than a week now, with no problems, it stays bang on tune, & sounds really nice, playing 'Gold' in the background

Alan, my other, RR set is an ac/dc set, model 202, this is also a very nice perfomer, I think you will be pleased, with your set.

Josh, Glad it was not only me, who, has had the valve holder problem, I wonder if age, & heat, take their toll, I was very carefull, when soldering the replacements!

Nick, I wonder if, the same chassi,s was used for the ac/dc version, hence the paxolin panel?
Out of my pair, the good looks award has to go to, the smaller 202


Mark
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 9:15 pm   #8
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

My 210 from Neil (Harvestgold) wins for me, as it has the most exquisitely shiny, swirly Bakelite that I've ever seen. Sorry, no pic at the moment.
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 9:36 pm   #9
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

My 208 for me, it's so cute

Runner up is the 216 which sadly I don't have an example of yet
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Old 17th Oct 2012, 1:27 pm   #10
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Nice job. This should motivate me to take a look at my 224. It looks cute and in good condition.
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Old 18th Oct 2012, 12:41 pm   #11
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Many of these are based on or rebadged Baird sets. So if you need service info, that's where to look. Most are fairly simple designs though, so you shouldn't have any problems with the electronics.

Cheers,

Steve P.
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Old 19th Oct 2012, 6:08 pm   #12
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

Mine is a Baird model 224 with no mention of Radio Rentals on it.
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Old 19th Oct 2012, 6:30 pm   #13
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Default Re: Radio Rentals 204 Restored

This is my Radio Rentals (Baird) set yet to be worked on.
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