leather cone surrounds - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Jimmyhaflinger · 23rd Sep 2008, 9:20 am

Hello,

i've found a very old (i think late 20 or early 30s) field coil speaker with a leather surround, the lether is still intact but it feels very dry and has a few thin cracks.

is there a way to soften and preserve it? i have some Neatsfoot leather oil which works great on horse tack, is it safe to use on leather surrounds?

chipp1968 · 24th Sep 2008, 6:04 pm

I had a speaker like that once that had perished and had to replace it . but cant rememeber what replacement material was .This was 25 years ago ... I would have thought anything that is designed to help leather should be ok . dont get it on the cone though

geofy · 24th Sep 2008, 6:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyhaflinger

i have some Neatsfoot leather oil which works great on horse tack, is it safe to use on leather surrounds?

Should be ok, and you might some some good racing tips

Other products for leather motorcyle clothing should be ok to use. A picture of the speaker would be interesting must be quite old.

Geof

Jimmyhaflinger · 24th Sep 2008, 9:26 pm

A couple of pics...

I don't know much about this speaker, it's about 9 inches and has "made in USA" stamped on the chassis and a label with many patent numbers.

I've applied a thin layer of diluted vinavil (PVA wood glue) to the perished/cracked spots of the leather surround to keep it from falling apart, then i'll try to apply a very light coat of leather oil

23rd Sep 2008, 9:20 am	#1
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	leather cone surrounds Hello, i've found a very old (i think late 20 or early 30s) field coil speaker with a leather surround, the lether is still intact but it feels very dry and has a few thin cracks. is there a way to soften and preserve it? i have some Neatsfoot leather oil which works great on horse tack, is it safe to use on leather surrounds?

24th Sep 2008, 6:04 pm	#2
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: leather cone surrounds I had a speaker like that once that had perished and had to replace it . but cant rememeber what replacement material was .This was 25 years ago ... I would have thought anything that is designed to help leather should be ok . dont get it on the cone though

24th Sep 2008, 9:26 pm	#4
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	Re: leather cone surrounds A couple of pics... I don't know much about this speaker, it's about 9 inches and has "made in USA" stamped on the chassis and a label with many patent numbers. I've applied a thin layer of diluted vinavil (PVA wood glue) to the perished/cracked spots of the leather surround to keep it from falling apart, then i'll try to apply a very light coat of leather oil Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Jimmyhaflinger; 24th Sep 2008 at 9:32 pm.