Crystal set identification - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

greenstar · 22nd May 2018, 9:09 pm

I am wondering if anyone has seen one of these before. It has no maker mark anywhere, but it has the look of a commercially made set. Precisely made, connectors riveted in place, panel markings, plug in detector. The box is wood, with a matt black finish. Picked up at Dunstable Downs car boot on Sunday.
thanks,
Tony

Al (astral highway) · 22nd May 2018, 9:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenstar

...but it has the look of a commercially made set. Precisely made, connectors riveted in place,

Mmm... To me it has the look of a home-made set. The design is not compatible with the period when crystal sets were the leading technology. It's nicely made, but I'd say (relatively) recently.

Some nice touches though.

TrevorG3VLF · 22nd May 2018, 10:25 pm

The coil is of low Q due to the flat construction. Surely a comercial set would have a round coil for maximum inductance with minimum wire.

greenstar · 23rd May 2018, 12:08 pm

They didn't worry much about Q in the early 20's in basic sets. These things were made to get a local station, and they worked - not usually DX! But it does look later. The panel markings look to have been printed, and the use of rivets is a bit unusual for homebrew. . I think crystal sets were made commercially into at least the 50's. The plug in detector also seems odd to me.

ms660 · 23rd May 2018, 12:28 pm

Looks "recent" to me, can't be absolutely sure from the photo's but the timber used looks like fast grown Douglas Fir or possibly fast grown Larch, home grown plantation stuff.

The plugin detector assembly looks like "stick yer lump of mineral in here and see how it performs kids"

Lawrence.

Herald1360 · 23rd May 2018, 5:48 pm

If that wire insulation is PVC '20s it ain't!

greenstar · 24th May 2018, 5:14 pm

Well, I guess 40's or 50's. I still tend to think it's commercial, it does look like a printed panel, and my limited guess is it's not from the UK. We didn't usually call headphones telephones, after the early 20's, and I accept it's not anything like that old! The insulation on that wire looks like varnished cotton covered. I will give it a poke with my soldering iron. Also, the coil is sitting on bakelite washers, not soft rubber grommets. AND the detector is well made. I will try to take some close ups.

22nd May 2018, 9:09 pm	#1
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,684	Crystal set identification I am wondering if anyone has seen one of these before. It has no maker mark anywhere, but it has the look of a commercially made set. Precisely made, connectors riveted in place, panel markings, plug in detector. The box is wood, with a matt black finish. Picked up at Dunstable Downs car boot on Sunday. thanks, Tony Attached Thumbnails

22nd May 2018, 10:25 pm	#3
TrevorG3VLF Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Matlock, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,378	Re: Crystal set identification The coil is of low Q due to the flat construction. Surely a comercial set would have a round coil for maximum inductance with minimum wire.

23rd May 2018, 12:08 pm	#4
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,684	Re: Crystal set identification They didn't worry much about Q in the early 20's in basic sets. These things were made to get a local station, and they worked - not usually DX! But it does look later. The panel markings look to have been printed, and the use of rivets is a bit unusual for homebrew. . I think crystal sets were made commercially into at least the 50's. The plug in detector also seems odd to me.

23rd May 2018, 12:28 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Crystal set identification Looks "recent" to me, can't be absolutely sure from the photo's but the timber used looks like fast grown Douglas Fir or possibly fast grown Larch, home grown plantation stuff. The plugin detector assembly looks like "stick yer lump of mineral in here and see how it performs kids" Lawrence.

23rd May 2018, 5:48 pm	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Crystal set identification If that wire insulation is PVC '20s it ain't! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

24th May 2018, 5:14 pm	#7
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,684	Re: Crystal set identification Well, I guess 40's or 50's. I still tend to think it's commercial, it does look like a printed panel, and my limited guess is it's not from the UK. We didn't usually call headphones telephones, after the early 20's, and I accept it's not anything like that old! The insulation on that wire looks like varnished cotton covered. I will give it a poke with my soldering iron. Also, the coil is sitting on bakelite washers, not soft rubber grommets. AND the detector is well made. I will try to take some close ups. Last edited by greenstar; 24th May 2018 at 5:26 pm. Reason: Avoid two posts.