Grundig TK1 Luxus Restoration - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Phantomrose1999 · 19th Jun 2019, 1:18 pm

I was lucky enough to come across a Grundig TK1, with English Operator Manual, AND a AC power supply in the bottom cover. Never seen the lower AC power supply previously.

I spent hours to get it working again, and am using a temporary rubber drive belt for the take up spool. The leather looking flat belt had shredded and wound itself around the capstan.

The motor seems weak to start playing, once it's going it's fine, but takes a few attempts to get it started. It starts fine with no load. Also given I have removed the capstan and cleaned and oiled it, there is no binding anywhere, just the motor seems weak

I note the motor has two sets of brushes, the rear brush set, is a high speed set for rewind, and this always works.

The front set of brushes, is for plan, and receives about 4 volts, and the speed is much slower, but its also quite weak. I suspect the brushes in the motor are worn

I removed the motor shielding and got to see the brushes, lots of WD40 and Cleaning Alcohol. But not much difference.

Does anyone have similiar experiences with a low torqe motor in a TK1 ?

See my LONG video of it working again and more photos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7OVevSxnE8

Phantomrose1999 · 20th Jun 2019, 12:37 pm

I was lucky enough to have bought another Tk1 a while ago, that was totally corroded and beyond restoration. BUT !!! here is the good part.

The Motor and leather style drive belt was in excellent condition !! The motor has a lot of power and even runs on a 1.5V cell, totally silent.

I changed the motor over and installed the drive belt, which took a very long time, and i had to dismantle almost everything including the CHAIN to install that belt.

Its now 100% working, and rewind is great, play is great... and so on..

Finally i changed the fuse in the AC power supply and it came to life and works very well.

Some photos, including the inside of the AC power supply and a new video of it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHW3Pjl5AhI

SteveCG · 20th Jun 2019, 12:55 pm

Seeing a TK1 brings back memories as I had access to one back in 1964/65 time. Exclamation type magic eye, permanent magnet erase, but AC bias are recollections - also this one had an AC power supply. I still have a 3 inch spool with a recording made at the time. What ever happened to the recorder is beyond memory now!

Phantomrose1999 · 21st Jun 2019, 10:53 am

I made another recording with my favourite test track, old Jim Reeves. Though the mic was too close this time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPju200REkE

I have a few old tapes and its fascinating listening to them, from the 60's. A time capsule of life then, with people wishing others greetings, and one dear, indicating she is going back to her knitting after wishing someone merry christmas.

19th Jun 2019, 1:18 pm	#1
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Grundig TK1 Luxus Restoration I was lucky enough to come across a Grundig TK1, with English Operator Manual, AND a AC power supply in the bottom cover. Never seen the lower AC power supply previously. I spent hours to get it working again, and am using a temporary rubber drive belt for the take up spool. The leather looking flat belt had shredded and wound itself around the capstan. The motor seems weak to start playing, once it's going it's fine, but takes a few attempts to get it started. It starts fine with no load. Also given I have removed the capstan and cleaned and oiled it, there is no binding anywhere, just the motor seems weak I note the motor has two sets of brushes, the rear brush set, is a high speed set for rewind, and this always works. The front set of brushes, is for plan, and receives about 4 volts, and the speed is much slower, but its also quite weak. I suspect the brushes in the motor are worn I removed the motor shielding and got to see the brushes, lots of WD40 and Cleaning Alcohol. But not much difference. Does anyone have similiar experiences with a low torqe motor in a TK1 ? See my LONG video of it working again and more photos... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7OVevSxnE8 Attached Thumbnails

20th Jun 2019, 12:37 pm	#2
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Grundig TK1 Luxus Restoration I was lucky enough to have bought another Tk1 a while ago, that was totally corroded and beyond restoration. BUT !!! here is the good part. The Motor and leather style drive belt was in excellent condition !! The motor has a lot of power and even runs on a 1.5V cell, totally silent. I changed the motor over and installed the drive belt, which took a very long time, and i had to dismantle almost everything including the CHAIN to install that belt. Its now 100% working, and rewind is great, play is great... and so on.. Finally i changed the fuse in the AC power supply and it came to life and works very well. Some photos, including the inside of the AC power supply and a new video of it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHW3Pjl5AhI Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Phantomrose1999; 20th Jun 2019 at 12:45 pm.

20th Jun 2019, 12:55 pm	#3
SteveCG Nonode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 2,495	Re: Grundig TK1 Luxus Restoration Seeing a TK1 brings back memories as I had access to one back in 1964/65 time. Exclamation type magic eye, permanent magnet erase, but AC bias are recollections - also this one had an AC power supply. I still have a 3 inch spool with a recording made at the time. What ever happened to the recorder is beyond memory now!

21st Jun 2019, 10:53 am	#4
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Grundig TK1 Luxus Restoration I made another recording with my favourite test track, old Jim Reeves. Though the mic was too close this time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPju200REkE I have a few old tapes and its fascinating listening to them, from the 60's. A time capsule of life then, with people wishing others greetings, and one dear, indicating she is going back to her knitting after wishing someone merry christmas.