Magnafon 58 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

bionicmerlin · 20th Dec 2018, 7:53 pm

Just wondering if anyone had any information on this tape recorder. Not a common make .its been in my parents loft unused for atleast 35 years maybe more. With a nice collaro deck.
I can remember in the 60s my hampster eating the flex. I also believe the mains transformer was overheating and leaking wax. It was sent for repair at a local shop and if my memory is correct. The transformer earth was disconnected to get round the problem.
It’s high time it was brought back into use so any repair tips would be useful.
Andy

Nickthedentist · 20th Dec 2018, 8:22 pm

A bit in this 1958 mag: https://www.americanradiohistory.com...UK-1958-04.pdf

ben · 20th Dec 2018, 11:55 pm

Power it up with a series bulb. Don't like the sound of that leaky transformer. Probably more likely the cause was a shorted rectifier downstream of it.

I would open it up and check for any wax caps first.
The deck will need overhauling, partial stripdown/relubrication possibly (almost certainly!) new belts/idlers/pinch. Leaving such equipment standing for decades is worse than over-use in many ways.
Be aware that this could take more time than is worth it to get working. Check also the heads before investing much into it.

bionicmerlin · 21st Dec 2018, 2:47 pm

Thanks Ben and Nick .
I am slowly powering it up with a variac . It has a valve rectifier.
It does have a good few Hunts brown mould seel capacitors.
I’m going to take a chance theses are ok as it’s almost impossible to get to them .they are under a circuit board and the board has everything built on top it .even the wires going to it are to short to move it.
Can I ask what’s the best oil to use for lubrication . Thanks Andy

ben · 21st Dec 2018, 3:47 pm

Check to see if those Hunts caps are split, it they are they'll likely be s/c and will cause something to go pop sooner rather than later. Personally I wouldn't risk it.

20th Dec 2018, 7:53 pm	#1
bionicmerlin Heptode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Warminster, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 682	Magnafon 58 Just wondering if anyone had any information on this tape recorder. Not a common make .its been in my parents loft unused for atleast 35 years maybe more. With a nice collaro deck. I can remember in the 60s my hampster eating the flex. I also believe the mains transformer was overheating and leaking wax. It was sent for repair at a local shop and if my memory is correct. The transformer earth was disconnected to get round the problem. It’s high time it was brought back into use so any repair tips would be useful. Andy Attached Thumbnails

20th Dec 2018, 8:22 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,865	Re: Magnafon 58 A bit in this 1958 mag: https://www.americanradiohistory.com...UK-1958-04.pdf

20th Dec 2018, 11:55 pm	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Magnafon 58 Power it up with a series bulb. Don't like the sound of that leaky transformer. Probably more likely the cause was a shorted rectifier downstream of it. I would open it up and check for any wax caps first. The deck will need overhauling, partial stripdown/relubrication possibly (almost certainly!) new belts/idlers/pinch. Leaving such equipment standing for decades is worse than over-use in many ways. Be aware that this could take more time than is worth it to get working. Check also the heads before investing much into it. __________________ Regards, Ben.

21st Dec 2018, 2:47 pm	#4
bionicmerlin Heptode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Warminster, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 682	Re: Magnafon 58 Thanks Ben and Nick . I am slowly powering it up with a variac . It has a valve rectifier. It does have a good few Hunts brown mould seel capacitors. I’m going to take a chance theses are ok as it’s almost impossible to get to them .they are under a circuit board and the board has everything built on top it .even the wires going to it are to short to move it. Can I ask what’s the best oil to use for lubrication . Thanks Andy

21st Dec 2018, 3:47 pm	#5
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Magnafon 58 Check to see if those Hunts caps are split, it they are they'll likely be s/c and will cause something to go pop sooner rather than later. Personally I wouldn't risk it. __________________ Regards, Ben.