Help with PU plugs - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

coopzone · 20th Feb 2018, 6:01 pm

Does anyone know where to get suitable plugs for the PU sockets on most mid 50's radios.

They look like about 3mm holes, I remember years ago you could buy a plug of about 3mm split - pin style and plastic screw on cover. but the nearest I can find now seems to be a banana plug, but it's no good - they are either to big or to small.

Thanks

coop zone

Herald1360 · 20th Feb 2018, 6:20 pm

Original type 1/8" plugs (wander plugs) will only be found second hand in odd places (mainly the secret stashes of forum types

).

3mm new plugs are available if you search but make sure that's what they really are. Pictures are often just of generic banana plugs which could be any size.

vidjoman · 20th Feb 2018, 6:26 pm

British sets are mostly 3mm (Known as Wander plugs) and continental sets are usually 4mm (Banana plugs)

barrymagrec · 20th Feb 2018, 6:43 pm

Belling Lee used to make their OZ series plugs in both 3mm and 4mm sizes but they seem to have stopped production.

Clix wander plugs were the split type that used to be very common but seem to have gone now.

stitch1 · 20th Feb 2018, 10:10 pm

I know not everyone agrees but I find these work well on 50’s sets. They are 4mm but they are sprung (if that’s the right term) and fit well after pushing in and out a couple of times.
Worth a try for the price but get them quick before Maplins disappears!

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-4mm-plug-black-l20bh

John

20th Feb 2018, 6:01 pm	#1
coopzone Hexode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Cannock, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 268	Help with PU plugs Does anyone know where to get suitable plugs for the PU sockets on most mid 50's radios. They look like about 3mm holes, I remember years ago you could buy a plug of about 3mm split - pin style and plastic screw on cover. but the nearest I can find now seems to be a banana plug, but it's no good - they are either to big or to small. Thanks coop zone

20th Feb 2018, 6:20 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Help with PU plugs Original type 1/8" plugs (wander plugs) will only be found second hand in odd places (mainly the secret stashes of forum types ). 3mm new plugs are available if you search but make sure that's what they really are. Pictures are often just of generic banana plugs which could be any size. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

20th Feb 2018, 6:26 pm	#3
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,323	Re: Help with PU plugs British sets are mostly 3mm (Known as Wander plugs) and continental sets are usually 4mm (Banana plugs)

20th Feb 2018, 6:43 pm	#4
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,557	Re: Help with PU plugs Belling Lee used to make their OZ series plugs in both 3mm and 4mm sizes but they seem to have stopped production. Clix wander plugs were the split type that used to be very common but seem to have gone now.

20th Feb 2018, 10:10 pm	#5
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: Help with PU plugs I know not everyone agrees but I find these work well on 50’s sets. They are 4mm but they are sprung (if that’s the right term) and fit well after pushing in and out a couple of times. Worth a try for the price but get them quick before Maplins disappears! https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-4mm-plug-black-l20bh John