Scale pointer missing - any tips? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

egerton · 7th Jun 2018, 4:29 pm

I've fixed a Philips 141U with sage advice from you good folk on here. It was quite an easy fix, just as well as I'm new to this. The finishing touch would be to replace the missing scale pointer. The cord is there but there was no pointer attached. Does anyone have any advice on fabricating or obtaining suitable scale pointers? Thanks.

mark_in_manc · 7th Jun 2018, 4:41 pm

See if you can work out how the original fitted. I just made one for a Cossor which (by looking at pics of complete ones) turned out to be a U-shaped runner which ran along the edge of a turned-up chassis plate, with a wire pointer soldered to it. I made the U-shaped bit from scrap brass and bent a pointer from a bit of brazing wire, mostly because it was less hassle that trying to straighten a bit of copper wire from (say) an offcut of twin-and-earth.

You'll probably find you can use snips or a dremel cutter to create a tang on it, which you can slide the string through and crimp it on.

mark_in_manc · 7th Jun 2018, 4:56 pm

oops, that'll teach me to talk about a set I'm not familiar with. Some pics here

http://www.forum.radios-tv.co.uk/vie...php?f=3&t=2825

might show you how it works. Looks like a L shaped pointer threaded onto the dial cord itself.

Boater Sam · 7th Jun 2018, 5:16 pm

For PHILIPS sets you need 4 yards of steel wire, 5 yards of string, and several bowden cables.
Also plastic pulleys of differing diameters and infinite patience.

Seriously, if the pointer simply hangs from a cord, I solder a cross piece on top of a pointer and just wrap the cord around it on both sides once the cord is finished.

Looking at the service sheet, its just a bent wire, painted red or white to show behind the scale, a bit of felt or heat shrink on the end to stop it rubbing, cord wrapped twice round the top bit.

egerton · 7th Jun 2018, 9:18 pm

Thanks all for the replies. I will have a go at making a pointer once I have sourced sourced suitable wire. I'm at a bit of a loss as where to find all the bits and pieces one needs when starting off. On another project - my Ferranti A1016 Bluetooth conversion - I'm looking for the plugs to fit the Gram input sockets. I thought they were banana plugs but they are not. Anybody know the name of this plug type so I can order online?
Thanks

Boater Sam · 7th Jun 2018, 9:34 pm

Wander plug. Do a search on here, there was a thread, but they are going the same way as hen's teeth.

Nanozeugma · 7th Jun 2018, 11:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by egerton

Thanks all for the replies. I will have a go at making a pointer once I have sourced sourced suitable wire. I'm at a bit of a loss as where to find all the bits and pieces one needs when starting off. On another project - my Ferranti A1016 Bluetooth conversion - I'm looking for the plugs to fit the Gram input sockets. I thought they were banana plugs but they are not. Anybody know the name of this plug type so I can order online?
Thanks

The sockets you have are 1/8" or 3mm.
If you go to eBay and search for... "1pair Nickel Plated Copper 3mm Banana Male Plug"
You find what you need to fit.

Herald1360 · 8th Jun 2018, 1:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by egerton

Thanks all for the replies. I will have a go at making a pointer once I have sourced sourced suitable wire. I'm at a bit of a loss as where to find all the bits and pieces one needs when starting off. On another project - my Ferranti A1016 Bluetooth conversion - I'm looking for the plugs to fit the Gram input sockets. I thought they were banana plugs but they are not. Anybody know the name of this plug type so I can order online?
Thanks

Galvanised iron garden wire about 1mm is quite useful. Easily bent into quite complex shapes. The bit on the end can just be a suitable bit of stripped off PVC wire insulation.

7th Jun 2018, 4:29 pm	#1
egerton Pentode Join Date: May 2018 Location: Beverley, East Riding Posts: 110	Scale pointer missing - any tips? I've fixed a Philips 141U with sage advice from you good folk on here. It was quite an easy fix, just as well as I'm new to this. The finishing touch would be to replace the missing scale pointer. The cord is there but there was no pointer attached. Does anyone have any advice on fabricating or obtaining suitable scale pointers? Thanks.

7th Jun 2018, 4:41 pm	#2
mark_in_manc Octode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,874	Re: Scale pointer missing - any tips? See if you can work out how the original fitted. I just made one for a Cossor which (by looking at pics of complete ones) turned out to be a U-shaped runner which ran along the edge of a turned-up chassis plate, with a wire pointer soldered to it. I made the U-shaped bit from scrap brass and bent a pointer from a bit of brazing wire, mostly because it was less hassle that trying to straighten a bit of copper wire from (say) an offcut of twin-and-earth. You'll probably find you can use snips or a dremel cutter to create a tang on it, which you can slide the string through and crimp it on.

7th Jun 2018, 4:56 pm	#3
mark_in_manc Octode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,874	Re: Scale pointer missing - any tips? oops, that'll teach me to talk about a set I'm not familiar with. Some pics here http://www.forum.radios-tv.co.uk/vie...php?f=3&t=2825 might show you how it works. Looks like a L shaped pointer threaded onto the dial cord itself.

7th Jun 2018, 5:16 pm	#4
Boater Sam Banned Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines. Posts: 3,897	Re: Scale pointer missing - any tips? For PHILIPS sets you need 4 yards of steel wire, 5 yards of string, and several bowden cables. Also plastic pulleys of differing diameters and infinite patience. Seriously, if the pointer simply hangs from a cord, I solder a cross piece on top of a pointer and just wrap the cord around it on both sides once the cord is finished. Looking at the service sheet, its just a bent wire, painted red or white to show behind the scale, a bit of felt or heat shrink on the end to stop it rubbing, cord wrapped twice round the top bit. Last edited by Boater Sam; 7th Jun 2018 at 5:22 pm. Reason: a

7th Jun 2018, 9:18 pm	#5
egerton Pentode Join Date: May 2018 Location: Beverley, East Riding Posts: 110	Re: Scale pointer missing - any tips? Thanks all for the replies. I will have a go at making a pointer once I have sourced sourced suitable wire. I'm at a bit of a loss as where to find all the bits and pieces one needs when starting off. On another project - my Ferranti A1016 Bluetooth conversion - I'm looking for the plugs to fit the Gram input sockets. I thought they were banana plugs but they are not. Anybody know the name of this plug type so I can order online? Thanks

7th Jun 2018, 9:34 pm	#6
Boater Sam Banned Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines. Posts: 3,897	Re: Scale pointer missing - any tips? Wander plug. Do a search on here, there was a thread, but they are going the same way as hen's teeth.