Graves Aerial AC superhet - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mark the Mender · 29th Apr 2011, 6:57 pm

Hello all,

Here is a pre war Graves, a real basket case. The cabinet was a real mess, with veneer chipped out, the speaker cloth in tatters. In all a sad skip find. (not by me)
There is no circuit available for this set. It has two chassis, one for the power supply and one for the tuning and output.
The PSU chassis was tackled first, with 3 electrolytic caps to change and some very crumbly wiring. Once done there was voltage out of the plug to the main chassis. Voltages looked OK.
Then the main chassis, I had some trouble with some caps that look like waxies but have no values on them, just a black band at each end, so each one was taken out of circuit and tested for leakage........they all leaked!
So every one was put on the Marconi bridge type 1, and tested again (yes all seven or so), to get a value for them, the closest value was inserted accordingly.
It was necessary to rewire most of the wiring underneath as the insulation was crumbly, this included the loom to the PSU plug and dial lights.
Some veneer had to be let in on the curve of the cabinet. I tried steaming over a kettle, a pan and anything I could find! But failed to get the veneer to bend as I wanted!
In the end by luck not design, I managed to do it, dipping the veneer into the boiling water,
Fishing it out with the tweezers I had been using to hold it, I found the veneer piece gave a little in the way it needed to bend. So a couple more dippings and bending to shape with finger pressure gave the correct shape. Fortunately Maud was not in to see the pan being used so!
Having rubbed the cabinet back, stained and given a coat of linseed oil, it was a joy to see the colour jump out.
French polish was applied with a traditional rubber, in several coats, cutting back each time with 600 wet and dry, cut with talcum powder.
The polishing stages were finished by lightly rubbing the cabinet with 0000 wire wool to "cut" the surface of the polish, which had been left hardening for just under a week.
Having done this the cabinet was then treated to a coat of burnishing cream. Once this had dried it was polished off with a cotton cloth.
The speaker cloth was totally ruined, so a new cloth was found, not the original design but sufficient for the cause,this was pinned to the baffle board and glued in position until dry. Once fitted to the cabinet the chassis’ were returned to the cabinet and a pair of period knobs fitted for wave change and volume. The original tuning knob was the only one too survived.
The dial is faded on SW, however 60oldjohn supplied a scan of his (something for the future) to enable a remake.
This set now has pride of place in the living room, and works exceptionally well on all three wavebands.

Mark the Mender · 29th Apr 2011, 7:02 pm

And some pictures of the finished radio.

It is worthy of note that the volume pot does not have an on/off switch, it is incorporated in the mains lead.

cheers Mark

Steve_P · 29th Apr 2011, 7:32 pm

I saw this set when you got it! Amazing what can be done with an old set. Well done old bean.

Cheers,

Steve P.

vinrads · 29th Apr 2011, 7:45 pm

A very good account of the restoration , well done it looks super i also like the finish of french polish plus it doesn't craze like some lacquers . Mick.

Wellington · 29th Apr 2011, 9:28 pm

Well done, Mark - that looks very nice

. The new speaker cloth suits the cabinet well.

McMurdo · 29th Apr 2011, 9:35 pm

A nice job and makes a change from the usual mass market brands

mark pirate · 29th Apr 2011, 9:37 pm

Great job on a nice set, have you got any "before" photos?

Mark

Mark the Mender · 30th Apr 2011, 7:55 pm

Mark
here are some before pics.

cheers Mark

JoshWard · 30th Apr 2011, 11:36 pm

That's a lovely looking set and a great write up Mark

I've got about 20 odd pre-War sets in a similar state here, it's almost tempting me to dig one out and have a go (although where they are in the rountuit pile is a mystery....)

Josh.

Norman Raeburn · 30th Apr 2011, 11:54 pm

Hi Mark, A good restoration, I envy those cabinet resto skills, Regards. Norman

Andrewausfa · 1st May 2011, 12:21 pm

Excellent, well done Mark.

Mark the Mender · 1st May 2011, 4:00 pm

Thank you for your kind comments Guys,

Norman, this is the first French Polish I have attempted, to be honest I followed Col's (retired) advice and it worked a treat!

So much so that a pal of mine now wants his Marconi TV refinishing!

cheers Mark

murphyv310 · 2nd May 2011, 12:04 pm

A really excellent job Mark. I wish I had woodworking skills, any cabinet job I seem to do turns out like a mess!
How did you manage to persuade the missus to allow it in the house? That must be the biggest skill of them all

HamishBoxer · 2nd May 2011, 3:01 pm

Superb job,on what is probally a rare set.

David

Mark the Mender · 2nd May 2011, 4:22 pm

Trevor,
I took a set out.................for now! (it shall make a return, it is the Decca 400)!
The cabinet is not perfect but for a 70 odd year old set more than acceptable.

David
I only know of three, two members here have one and the one I have, but you never know there may be some more about.

cheers Mark

Hybrid tellies · 2nd May 2011, 8:01 pm

Fantastic job, a good worthwhile restoration. Loved the write up to.

Retired · 2nd May 2011, 8:29 pm

Hi,

What a transformation Mark; very well done and just goes to show French polishing isn't some kind of black art. I was privileged to see this set close up at the recent Golborne meeting and never noticed the veneer patches so they must blend in well.

Another lovely set saved and no doubt Mark you will be looking for other sets to French polish as one is never enough and the process is addictive.

A nice restoration and write up thanks for sharing.

Kind regards, Col.

Tim · 2nd May 2011, 11:26 pm

Nice job

Mark the Mender · 3rd May 2011, 5:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired

What a transformation Mark; very well done and just goes to show French polishing isn't some kind of black art.

Col
Having seen your work close that is high praise indeed and I thank you, but your insights were the inspiration to tackle such a basket case.

Tim
thank you

cheers Mark

thermionic · 3rd May 2011, 6:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark the Mender

I only know of three, two members here have one and the one I have, but you never know there may be some more about.

Mark, I would like to echo the praise for this restoration. I have one of these in my 'pile', luckily it is in a better condition than yours was at the start.
One day it will get done, but I don't think I will be able to match your superb finish.

PS. It is interesting to note how they spell Aerial.= ARIEL !

SimonT.

29th Apr 2011, 6:57 pm	#1
Mark the Mender Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Graves Aerial AC superhet Hello all, Here is a pre war Graves, a real basket case. The cabinet was a real mess, with veneer chipped out, the speaker cloth in tatters. In all a sad skip find. (not by me) There is no circuit available for this set. It has two chassis, one for the power supply and one for the tuning and output. The PSU chassis was tackled first, with 3 electrolytic caps to change and some very crumbly wiring. Once done there was voltage out of the plug to the main chassis. Voltages looked OK. Then the main chassis, I had some trouble with some caps that look like waxies but have no values on them, just a black band at each end, so each one was taken out of circuit and tested for leakage........they all leaked! So every one was put on the Marconi bridge type 1, and tested again (yes all seven or so), to get a value for them, the closest value was inserted accordingly. It was necessary to rewire most of the wiring underneath as the insulation was crumbly, this included the loom to the PSU plug and dial lights. Some veneer had to be let in on the curve of the cabinet. I tried steaming over a kettle, a pan and anything I could find! But failed to get the veneer to bend as I wanted! In the end by luck not design, I managed to do it, dipping the veneer into the boiling water, Fishing it out with the tweezers I had been using to hold it, I found the veneer piece gave a little in the way it needed to bend. So a couple more dippings and bending to shape with finger pressure gave the correct shape. Fortunately Maud was not in to see the pan being used so! Having rubbed the cabinet back, stained and given a coat of linseed oil, it was a joy to see the colour jump out. French polish was applied with a traditional rubber, in several coats, cutting back each time with 600 wet and dry, cut with talcum powder. The polishing stages were finished by lightly rubbing the cabinet with 0000 wire wool to "cut" the surface of the polish, which had been left hardening for just under a week. Having done this the cabinet was then treated to a coat of burnishing cream. Once this had dried it was polished off with a cotton cloth. The speaker cloth was totally ruined, so a new cloth was found, not the original design but sufficient for the cause,this was pinned to the baffle board and glued in position until dry. Once fitted to the cabinet the chassis’ were returned to the cabinet and a pair of period knobs fitted for wave change and volume. The original tuning knob was the only one too survived. The dial is faded on SW, however 60oldjohn supplied a scan of his (something for the future) to enable a remake. This set now has pride of place in the living room, and works exceptionally well on all three wavebands. Attached Thumbnails

29th Apr 2011, 7:02 pm	#2
Mark the Mender Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet And some pictures of the finished radio. It is worthy of note that the volume pot does not have an on/off switch, it is incorporated in the mains lead. cheers Mark Attached Thumbnails

29th Apr 2011, 7:32 pm	#3
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet I saw this set when you got it! Amazing what can be done with an old set. Well done old bean. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

29th Apr 2011, 7:45 pm	#4
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,762	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet A very good account of the restoration , well done it looks super i also like the finish of french polish plus it doesn't craze like some lacquers . Mick.

29th Apr 2011, 9:28 pm	#5
Wellington Hexode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cheshire, UK. Posts: 363	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Well done, Mark - that looks very nice . The new speaker cloth suits the cabinet well.

29th Apr 2011, 9:35 pm	#6
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet A nice job and makes a change from the usual mass market brands __________________ Kevin

29th Apr 2011, 9:37 pm	#7
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Great job on a nice set, have you got any "before" photos? Mark

30th Apr 2011, 7:55 pm	#8
Mark the Mender Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Mark here are some before pics. cheers Mark Attached Thumbnails

30th Apr 2011, 11:36 pm	#9
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet That's a lovely looking set and a great write up Mark I've got about 20 odd pre-War sets in a similar state here, it's almost tempting me to dig one out and have a go (although where they are in the rountuit pile is a mystery....) Josh.

30th Apr 2011, 11:54 pm	#10
Norman Raeburn Heptode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Leven, Fife, Scotland Posts: 823	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Hi Mark, A good restoration, I envy those cabinet resto skills, Regards. Norman

1st May 2011, 12:21 pm	#11
Andrewausfa Octode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,180	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Excellent, well done Mark. __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member

1st May 2011, 4:00 pm	#12
Mark the Mender Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Thank you for your kind comments Guys, Norman, this is the first French Polish I have attempted, to be honest I followed Col's (retired) advice and it worked a treat! So much so that a pal of mine now wants his Marconi TV refinishing! cheers Mark

2nd May 2011, 12:04 pm	#13
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,422	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet A really excellent job Mark. I wish I had woodworking skills, any cabinet job I seem to do turns out like a mess! How did you manage to persuade the missus to allow it in the house? That must be the biggest skill of them all __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

2nd May 2011, 3:01 pm	#14
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Superb job,on what is probally a rare set. David

2nd May 2011, 4:22 pm	#15
Mark the Mender Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Trevor, I took a set out.................for now! (it shall make a return, it is the Decca 400)! The cabinet is not perfect but for a 70 odd year old set more than acceptable. David I only know of three, two members here have one and the one I have, but you never know there may be some more about. cheers Mark

2nd May 2011, 8:01 pm	#16
Hybrid tellies Nonode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area. Posts: 2,965	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Fantastic job, a good worthwhile restoration. Loved the write up to. __________________ Simon BVWS member

2nd May 2011, 8:29 pm	#17
Retired Heptode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield. UK. Posts: 673	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Hi, What a transformation Mark; very well done and just goes to show French polishing isn't some kind of black art. I was privileged to see this set close up at the recent Golborne meeting and never noticed the veneer patches so they must blend in well. Another lovely set saved and no doubt Mark you will be looking for other sets to French polish as one is never enough and the process is addictive. A nice restoration and write up thanks for sharing. Kind regards, Col.

2nd May 2011, 11:26 pm	#18
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet Nice job __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."