Hacker VP 408 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

tim.norris · 24th Jul 2019, 9:06 pm

Have just bought a Hacker RP38 Radio which came with a working VP408 power adaptor . the adaptor was rather grubby to say the least but after a strip and clean it's come up rather well. Unfortunately someone has driven 2 self tappers in to hold it together, does anyone know the length and thread of the original screws?

Regards, Tim.

BRASSBITS · 24th Jul 2019, 9:14 pm

What makes you think the self tappers are not original?

Nuvistor · 24th Jul 2019, 9:19 pm

I have one, cannot remember the screw types, I will not be able to find out for a few weeks, if you still the information then I will have a look at mine which is original.

tim.norris · 24th Jul 2019, 9:23 pm

Hi, looking at pictures on the internet the original screw heads look to be recessed in the bottom cover also the locating plastic lugs look like they are threaded to accept screws , i could be wrong but the self tappers don't look very refined for a Hacker!

Regards, Tim.

tim.norris · 24th Jul 2019, 9:26 pm

Thanks Frank it would be much appreciated, everything else seems to be original as it came with the original plugs and lead to fit the radio.

Regards, Tim.

BRASSBITS · 24th Jul 2019, 9:42 pm

Have you got any screws to try in the threaded part to discover the thread type/diameter?

Nuvistor · 24th Jul 2019, 9:50 pm

Found this photo on the internet, it shows recessed screw heads.

ajgriff · 24th Jul 2019, 10:10 pm

Trouble is that the original screws may have been replaced with self tappers because the lug threads got stripped by overtightening in which case the correct screws won't tighten properly anyway.

Alan

BRASSBITS · 24th Jul 2019, 10:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajgriff

Trouble is that the original screws may have been replaced with self tappers because the lug threads got stripped by overtightening in which case the correct screws won't tighten properly anyway.

Alan

There's also the possibility the self tappers have totally destroyed the original thread.

Herald1360 · 25th Jul 2019, 10:35 am

If there's enough "meat" on the pillars, tap them up to the smallest oversize thread that works then fit some suitably "quality" looking screws. A coarse thread might be better than a fine one for this. A note inside the box about it might just help someone else later on.

mhennessy · 26th Jul 2019, 12:04 am

They are 52.7mm long (including the screw head) and at first glance look like M3.

Of course, they aren't M3; they are 6BA, and 2" long in old money.

Hopefully the self-tappers were not long enough to reach the brass inserts.

tim.norris · 26th Jul 2019, 8:26 am

Mhennessy , many thanks will try and source a coouple , the threads look good as the self tappers are much shorter , regards, Tim.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 26th Jul 2019, 9:13 am

I should have some 6BA screws somewhere-not sure if I have any 2" long, but if you can't get any, PM me, and I'll send you a couple. Mine have slotted heads rather than Phillips or Pozidrive, not sure what heads the originals had.

mhennessy · 26th Jul 2019, 10:17 am

They're slotted.

Unfortunately, they do need to be that length because of the location of the brass insert. While that's a pain, that did at least protect the insert from the errant self-tappers

If anyone finds a source, let me know as I need a couple for my other VP408.

ajgriff · 26th Jul 2019, 10:54 am

Plenty on eBay in brass or plated steel.

Alan

'LIVEWIRE?' · 26th Jul 2019, 11:09 am

I have sometimes found that sellers at events such as Steam Rallies & Classic Car Shows stock BA thread screws, nuts & bolts, along with many othr items.

BRASSBITS · 26th Jul 2019, 11:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhennessy

They are 52.7mm long (including the screw head) and at first glance look like M3.

Of course, they aren't M3; they are 6BA, and 2" long in old money.

Hopefully the self-tappers were not long enough to reach the brass inserts.

looking at the photo on the internet post 7
they appear to be cheese heads

Mike. Watterson · 26th Jul 2019, 11:43 am

What thread are screws for mains sockets and switches? Our local HW store sells brass and chrome effect / colour versions in long lengths in packets, no doubt for boxes fitted too deep in the wall. Very cheap. They aren't metric. But then gas and water is still imperial here. You need an adaptor for any gas cooker sold by the usual UK chain stores here. Not included. Argos sold UK phones here for years without adaptors. Some adaptors have no capacitor, which meant phones or fax for the UK market didn't ring.

mhennessy · 26th Jul 2019, 12:49 pm

Yes, they are cheese head.

Searching eBay, plenty of 6BA: yes. 6BA 2" cheese head: no. Out of the 3-400 results, just 3 listings on the whole site. One for brass, and they appear to be new, but the steel ones are NOS. Of those 2, this appears to be the most promising: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6ba-X-2-C...0/323851574172

Electrical fittings use M3.5 over here.

Mike. Watterson · 26th Jul 2019, 1:22 pm

Probably any fittings bought in UK owned stores here are 3.5mm then.
Which is most stores.

24th Jul 2019, 9:06 pm	#1
tim.norris Hexode Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 282	Hacker VP 408 Have just bought a Hacker RP38 Radio which came with a working VP408 power adaptor . the adaptor was rather grubby to say the least but after a strip and clean it's come up rather well. Unfortunately someone has driven 2 self tappers in to hold it together, does anyone know the length and thread of the original screws? Regards, Tim. Attached Thumbnails

24th Jul 2019, 9:14 pm	#2
BRASSBITS Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 364	Re: Hacker VP 408 What makes you think the self tappers are not original?

24th Jul 2019, 9:19 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Hacker VP 408 I have one, cannot remember the screw types, I will not be able to find out for a few weeks, if you still the information then I will have a look at mine which is original. __________________ Frank

24th Jul 2019, 9:23 pm	#4
tim.norris Hexode Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 282	Re: Hacker VP 408 Hi, looking at pictures on the internet the original screw heads look to be recessed in the bottom cover also the locating plastic lugs look like they are threaded to accept screws , i could be wrong but the self tappers don't look very refined for a Hacker! Regards, Tim.

24th Jul 2019, 9:26 pm	#5
tim.norris Hexode Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 282	Re: Hacker VP 408 Thanks Frank it would be much appreciated, everything else seems to be original as it came with the original plugs and lead to fit the radio. Regards, Tim.

24th Jul 2019, 9:42 pm	#6
BRASSBITS Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 364	Re: Hacker VP 408 Have you got any screws to try in the threaded part to discover the thread type/diameter?

24th Jul 2019, 9:50 pm	#7
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Hacker VP 408 Found this photo on the internet, it shows recessed screw heads. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Frank

24th Jul 2019, 10:10 pm	#8
ajgriff Nonode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,587	Re: Hacker VP 408 Trouble is that the original screws may have been replaced with self tappers because the lug threads got stripped by overtightening in which case the correct screws won't tighten properly anyway. Alan

25th Jul 2019, 10:35 am	#10
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,536	Re: Hacker VP 408 If there's enough "meat" on the pillars, tap them up to the smallest oversize thread that works then fit some suitably "quality" looking screws. A coarse thread might be better than a fine one for this. A note inside the box about it might just help someone else later on. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

26th Jul 2019, 12:04 am	#11
mhennessy Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,244	Re: Hacker VP 408 They are 52.7mm long (including the screw head) and at first glance look like M3. Of course, they aren't M3; they are 6BA, and 2" long in old money. Hopefully the self-tappers were not long enough to reach the brass inserts.

26th Jul 2019, 8:26 am	#12
tim.norris Hexode Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 282	Re: Hacker VP 408 Mhennessy , many thanks will try and source a coouple , the threads look good as the self tappers are much shorter , regards, Tim.

26th Jul 2019, 9:13 am	#13
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Hacker VP 408 I should have some 6BA screws somewhere-not sure if I have any 2" long, but if you can't get any, PM me, and I'll send you a couple. Mine have slotted heads rather than Phillips or Pozidrive, not sure what heads the originals had.

26th Jul 2019, 10:17 am	#14
mhennessy Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,244	Re: Hacker VP 408 They're slotted. Unfortunately, they do need to be that length because of the location of the brass insert. While that's a pain, that did at least protect the insert from the errant self-tappers If anyone finds a source, let me know as I need a couple for my other VP408.

26th Jul 2019, 10:54 am	#15
ajgriff Nonode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,587	Re: Hacker VP 408 Plenty on eBay in brass or plated steel. Alan

26th Jul 2019, 11:09 am	#16
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Hacker VP 408 I have sometimes found that sellers at events such as Steam Rallies & Classic Car Shows stock BA thread screws, nuts & bolts, along with many othr items.

26th Jul 2019, 11:43 am	#18
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Hacker VP 408 What thread are screws for mains sockets and switches? Our local HW store sells brass and chrome effect / colour versions in long lengths in packets, no doubt for boxes fitted too deep in the wall. Very cheap. They aren't metric. But then gas and water is still imperial here. You need an adaptor for any gas cooker sold by the usual UK chain stores here. Not included. Argos sold UK phones here for years without adaptors. Some adaptors have no capacitor, which meant phones or fax for the UK market didn't ring.

26th Jul 2019, 12:49 pm	#19
mhennessy Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,244	Re: Hacker VP 408 Yes, they are cheese head. Searching eBay, plenty of 6BA: yes. 6BA 2" cheese head: no. Out of the 3-400 results, just 3 listings on the whole site. One for brass, and they appear to be new, but the steel ones are NOS. Of those 2, this appears to be the most promising: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6ba-X-2-C...0/323851574172 Electrical fittings use M3.5 over here.

26th Jul 2019, 1:22 pm	#20
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Hacker VP 408 Probably any fittings bought in UK owned stores here are 3.5mm then. Which is most stores.