Roberts RT1 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jonnybear · 2nd Sep 2015, 4:12 pm

About a year ago down at our local boot sale, I noticed this sad unloved little Roberts RT1 in a pool of water beside a stall holder, I was told it was in working order and was a collectors piece, (They always are when you show an interest) and sell for good money on ebay?, I quickly replied not in this condition they don't, any way I finished up paying £3 for it, when I got home it was put in the to do/scrap pile, there it relished for a year, then last week having a little free time I glanced at the pile of panels I decided to give this one a go, it did actually work when I tried it, only just though.
After a recap and slight alignment the little Roberts performed like a dream, (note R13 in the trader sheet is a 8uf not a .01uf as stated) so then it was case refurb this I used ordinary paint and just before it was dry stippled it with a brush, this gave it a textured finish when dry, for the handle it was made out of an old leather belt and painted in the same way. The battery pack consists of four C cells in a modified holder, The only thing that is missing is the Logo which I will have to source, unless anyone can help?
John

Heatercathodeshort · 2nd Sep 2015, 5:20 pm

A real love of what it's all about. Well done, it looks great. Regards, John.

G6Tanuki · 2nd Sep 2015, 7:00 pm

Nice! And no whiskery AF117s to worry about...!

mark pirate · 2nd Sep 2015, 8:06 pm

These were Roberts first transistor radio, and they certainly got it right.
You have certainly done a good job with yours, what paint did you use?
Did you strip the old rexine, or paint on top of it?
I have a rough example that someone has painted matt black. After seeing yours, I really should give mine the attention it deserves.

Mark

jonnybear · 3rd Sep 2015, 1:15 pm

Hi Mark
No I did not strip the rexine I did re glue it with PVA where it had let go.the paint I used came from a German Supermarket, A not L, it is a gloss paint and took 6 coats which was brushed on and stippled, this needs to be done as it starts to dry, to give it a leather orange peel look.
John

2nd Sep 2015, 4:12 pm	#1
jonnybear Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cullompton, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,435	Roberts RT1 About a year ago down at our local boot sale, I noticed this sad unloved little Roberts RT1 in a pool of water beside a stall holder, I was told it was in working order and was a collectors piece, (They always are when you show an interest) and sell for good money on ebay?, I quickly replied not in this condition they don't, any way I finished up paying £3 for it, when I got home it was put in the to do/scrap pile, there it relished for a year, then last week having a little free time I glanced at the pile of panels I decided to give this one a go, it did actually work when I tried it, only just though. After a recap and slight alignment the little Roberts performed like a dream, (note R13 in the trader sheet is a 8uf not a .01uf as stated) so then it was case refurb this I used ordinary paint and just before it was dry stippled it with a brush, this gave it a textured finish when dry, for the handle it was made out of an old leather belt and painted in the same way. The battery pack consists of four C cells in a modified holder, The only thing that is missing is the Logo which I will have to source, unless anyone can help? John Attached Thumbnails

2nd Sep 2015, 5:20 pm	#2
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Roberts RT1 A real love of what it's all about. Well done, it looks great. Regards, John.

2nd Sep 2015, 7:00 pm	#3
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,995	Re: Roberts RT1 Nice! And no whiskery AF117s to worry about...!

2nd Sep 2015, 8:06 pm	#4
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Roberts RT1 These were Roberts first transistor radio, and they certainly got it right. You have certainly done a good job with yours, what paint did you use? Did you strip the old rexine, or paint on top of it? I have a rough example that someone has painted matt black. After seeing yours, I really should give mine the attention it deserves. Mark

3rd Sep 2015, 1:15 pm	#5
jonnybear Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cullompton, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,435	Re: Roberts RT1 Hi Mark No I did not strip the rexine I did re glue it with PVA where it had let go.the paint I used came from a German Supermarket, A not L, it is a gloss paint and took 6 coats which was brushed on and stippled, this needs to be done as it starts to dry, to give it a leather orange peel look. John