Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RadioHist · 1st Mar 2018, 5:16 pm

Folks,

I had to make these tiny replica battery tap plugs for a Swedish Radiola M55. We never used the 1/8" ID sockets on our USA batteries of the 1920s.

My question is, were these ever used in the UK? (I do have British sets using more substantial plugs.) Are they still available? i.e. Did I waste my shop time making these?

Comments welcome,
Robert

paulsherwin · 1st Mar 2018, 6:14 pm

Eighth inch wander plugs were standard for ground, antenna and phono connections on most British radios of the 40s and 50s, though a few manufacturers used 4mm banana plugs (notably Philips). Somebody could probably have sent you something from a scrap set.

I had no idea they were used in Sweden.

ThePillenwerfer · 1st Mar 2018, 7:03 pm

They do still turn up but are hideously expensive. A good substitute for the plug is an RCA with the outer ring cut off.

I've never needed a socket and if I did would make it as well. I have made ones for replica batteries before.

paulsherwin · 1st Mar 2018, 7:42 pm

If you need plugs rather than sockets, there are two things that people use here. The first is an RCA phono plug with the pin squashed a bit with pliers - with care this can be made a good fit for a wander socket. The second is an automotive cotter (split) pin, with the wire soldered to it and a bit of heatshrink to cover the end. Some supposedly 4mm banana plugs will actually fit a wander socket, though most won't, and all you can do is try them.

RadioHist · 2nd Mar 2018, 3:40 am

Thanks for the comments... I've made only 3 trips to the UK, the last being in 1996. Can't say I was 'tuned-up' to spot the way you folks connect batteries back then..

I'm getting more obsessed in my old age about certain things... That little Radiola was missing its battery cable so I braided a replica using this home made contraption. Fortunately I have another M55 with original cable to copy.

Robert

Station X · 2nd Mar 2018, 9:00 am

That's brilliant. Member's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. Well done.

1st Mar 2018, 5:16 pm	#1
RadioHist Pentode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC; USA Posts: 165	Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? Folks, I had to make these tiny replica battery tap plugs for a Swedish Radiola M55. We never used the 1/8" ID sockets on our USA batteries of the 1920s. My question is, were these ever used in the UK? (I do have British sets using more substantial plugs.) Are they still available? i.e. Did I waste my shop time making these? Comments welcome, Robert Attached Thumbnails

1st Mar 2018, 6:14 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? Eighth inch wander plugs were standard for ground, antenna and phono connections on most British radios of the 40s and 50s, though a few manufacturers used 4mm banana plugs (notably Philips). Somebody could probably have sent you something from a scrap set. I had no idea they were used in Sweden.

1st Mar 2018, 7:03 pm	#3
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	Re: Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? They do still turn up but are hideously expensive. A good substitute for the plug is an RCA with the outer ring cut off. I've never needed a socket and if I did would make it as well. I have made ones for replica batteries before. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

1st Mar 2018, 7:42 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? If you need plugs rather than sockets, there are two things that people use here. The first is an RCA phono plug with the pin squashed a bit with pliers - with care this can be made a good fit for a wander socket. The second is an automotive cotter (split) pin, with the wire soldered to it and a bit of heatshrink to cover the end. Some supposedly 4mm banana plugs will actually fit a wander socket, though most won't, and all you can do is try them.

2nd Mar 2018, 3:40 am	#5
RadioHist Pentode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC; USA Posts: 165	Re: Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? Thanks for the comments... I've made only 3 trips to the UK, the last being in 1996. Can't say I was 'tuned-up' to spot the way you folks connect batteries back then.. I'm getting more obsessed in my old age about certain things... That little Radiola was missing its battery cable so I braided a replica using this home made contraption. Fortunately I have another M55 with original cable to copy. Robert Attached Thumbnails

2nd Mar 2018, 9:00 am	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Alternatives to 1/8" wander plugs? That's brilliant. Member's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. Well done. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.