This Section

[Paul Stenning]

After quite a lengthy discussion, we’ve decided to create this section on the forum.

There were a few reasons for this approach:

• Much radio-related equipment is also electromechanical – record and tape decks are already rightly in the appropriate sections, but we do have things like vintage radio alarms and clock radios with non-radio faults.
• Many such items do not really have much cover on the internet, or are difficult to locate.
• Better the person you know!

Often there was no definite borderline as to what was allowed, and what was not, so we hope this clarifies things. As most of our household items tend to have some electronics in them, we cannot possibly cover everything like that, but if we define it as vintage, that should suffice. We generally define "vintage" as over 25 years old but there is some variation depending on the technology used etc.

What are not allowed:

• Non-household items – eg cars, lawnmowers.
• Gas or other fuel burning appliances - eg gas cookers, oil lamps.
• Bicycles, tricycles etc.
• Medical, exercise or disability equipment.
• Anything not actually used in the house.
• Anything where there are health and safety or legal implications.

What are allowed:

• Vintage electric clocks.
• Vintage electric household items – eg vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, fans, lamps.
• Vintage white goods if they are electric.
• Vintage electric and mechanical toys - eg model railways.

This is not an exhaustive list by many means and will almost certainly be updated in due course.

Remember that for quite a few of these things there will be forums or website that are specific and might be a better approach than posting a thread on here, so worth a Google first.

[Tim]

Great idea Paul. I'm interested in that stuff too.

[newlite4]

Very useful section Paul. I remember a discussion about a possible clock related section some years ago. This will help those of us whose collections go beyond the electronic arena.
Neil

[Radio_Dave]

Great idea but I am a little concerned about allowing mechanical clocks in. I do fear the vintage electronic nature of the forum could, easilly, be overtaken by watch and clock enthusiasts

Regards
David

[Meat Pye]

At last! A place to talk about my Hoover 1100 washing machine
It dates from about the mid 80's and my guess is that it was built in the Hoover factory at Merthyr Tydfil. It has a large turret and a couple of buttons to choose the "program": no degree in programming needed!

Vintage electronics is not just confined 405TV's, DAC90's and Avometers. People may want to talk about their old hairdryers, doorbells, mains plugs and sockets etc. etc. A great addition to this growing forum.

[Kat Manton]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Radio_Dave

I do fear the vintage electronic nature of the forum could, easily, be overtaken by watch and clock enthusiasts

Hence the section isn't visible to any new member until they've posted 10 posts in the vintage electronics sections. Nor will anyone find any posts in the section via Google.

It's worked with 'Modern Technology'; we no longer have people joining just to get help with a dead LCD telly only to vanish forever once it's dealt with.

Regards, Kat

[JoshWard]

This is a really good idea, I look forwards to reading stuff on here

[Mike Phelan]

Originally Posted by Radio_Dave

Great idea but I am a little concerned about allowing mechanical clocks in. I do fear the vintage electronic nature of the forum could, easilly, be overtaken by watch and clock enthusiasts.

David
As a (biased) horologist, I don't think there is too much fear of that; as well as what Kat says, I (and probably others like me) know of many far better places to discuss anything extensive regarding purely mechanical clocks.
The same will apply to other subjects - we're really testing the water just now.

[Paul Stenning]

The section is really for vintage technology collectors to ALSO discuss other items in their collections. It is not intended to be an alternative to the specialised forums that exist for collectors of those items.

[Brian R Pateman]

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

......It is not intended to be an alternative to the specialised forums that exist for collectors of those items.

And it will, of course, be moderated as assiduously as the rest of the forum.

[Radio_Dave]

Thanks for the replies

Now, as luck would have it, I could do with a part for one of my clocks. Do I post a request in this section or in the "Sets and Parts Wanted" section?

TIA
David

[M0FYA Andy]

Speaking as one who has another interest - electrical impulse clock systems (I have 20+ master clocks on my walls.....), I think it is a great idea.

Andy

[Paul Stenning]

Originally Posted by Radio_Dave

Now, as luck would have it, I could do with a part for one of my clocks. Do I post a request in this section or in the "Sets and Parts Wanted" section?

We are discussing this in the mods area now and will answer once it's been agreed.

[Lucien Nunes]

I think this is a good idea, although I wonder about a couple of the criteria, especially the 'domestic' one. For example, impulse clocks were not normally used domestically and would therefore be excluded, hence kept apart from other kinds of clock discussed here. Violet-ray and diathermy sets were electrical / electronic and found in the home, yet would be caught by the 'medical' exclusion (perhaps there's a reason for this particular one that I haven't figured out.)

Is it the intention that these and other similar 'crossover' items should be discussed under the 'general vintage technology' heading?

Lucien

[paulsherwin]

The general approach we intend to adopt is to avoid being too prescriptive. Anything that's vintage and found in the home or small office is likely to be OK, but the mods will remove anything that they think is unacceptable. We're hoping that the section will be used by longstanding members who are able to exercise a bit of common sense.

Paul

[Paul Stenning]

Also as noted in red in the first post here, the list is likely to vary over time as we see how the section works in practice.

So just follow Paul's suggestion above and we should be fine.

[paolo]

I just clicked on "New Posts" and saw this thread and wondered why I'd never noticed it before. Now I know Great idea.

Paul

[michael cumming]

This is great Paul because I'm in to other electrical stuff. Things like old batteries, torches and lamps as well as radio so this is a great idea.

[anthony lawrenc]

It's a great idea. Just like vintage radios TV's etc old electrical appliances are fascinating. Some are a joy to look at and use and are usually well built, unlike their modern day counterparts with their built in obsolescence.

Anthony.

[Hybrid tellies]

It is a great idea. I only have to older household items that I resued after members of the family were about to throw them out, ones an old set of Christmas tree lights the other is a small electric fire. I shall be making some postings later.