Ekco A22 completely original, any refurb. tips, please.

[Scotorvm]

Hi Guy's

Just about finished this restoration.

I have left everything internally original with the exception of 1 wire.

The speaker cloth looks great. Hand woven

I used weed control fabric as backing for this cloth, everything bonded with PVA glue, so can come off again in the future if required, the original cloth has been stored safely.

Silicone rubber has been fitted to the entire underside of both feet, this is to provide cushioning and to stop the set sliding. The wife loves to polish

I will monitor it's performance and change waxies etc in the future if the set starts to misbehave.

I have ordered a full set of boxed NOS Mullard valves, not cheap, but nice to have.

There is quite a deep scratch on the underside, have left it as it's unseen, but would this buff out with bakelite polish?

Cheers
Lee

[dakster]

That looks great.
Corinne Maas has now sold out of the a22 fabric.

[Radio tirana]

Lovely looking radio Lee, well done . Just keep that mouse away from the mains lead
You would probably need to wet sand that scratch out and then polish back to a shine, I think I would be inclined to leave it unless it really bothers you.
I still need to finish rewiring mine and then repair the hole where I have a piece
missing hope mine looks as good when finished.

Kind regards RT

[Herald1360]

Is it me or is that speaker fabric a few degrees out of kilter?

[sandy_r]

...are you taking the Pisa, Sig. Galileo?!?

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by dakster

That looks great.
Corinne Maas has now sold out of the a22 fabric.

Cheers Dakster, yes only had 60cm enough for 3 sets when I bought a piece.

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by Herald1360

Is it me or is that speaker fabric a few degrees out of kilter?

It's not you, It's my eyesight, only used pva so can be straightened if it bothers me

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by sandy_r

...are you taking the Pisa, Sig. Galileo?!?

Does it have to be dead straight, the lights were dim in the 40's nobody noticed.

Cheers
Lee

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by Radio tirana

Lovely looking radio Lee, well done . Just keep that mouse away from the mains lead
You would probably need to wet sand that scratch out and then polish back to a shine, I think I would be inclined to leave it unless it really bothers you.
I still need to finish rewiring mine and then repair the hole where I have a piece
missing hope mine looks as good when finished.

Kind regards RT

Cheers RT, will probably just leave the base scratch, seems I have a speaker cloth to straighten though

[sandy_r]

Originally Posted by Scotorvm

Does it have to be dead straight, the lights were dim in the 40's nobody noticed.

Cheers
Lee

Agreed!

...the absolute first memory i have of music, not the '40s but soon after, was heard on an anonymous radio (possibly DIYed by my dad), in the depths of Deeside

i remember that it was 'Big Wig in the Wigwam' - i don't remember any details at all about the magical piece of equipment which produced this memorable sound

my eyesight is failing, too, now, and i find that soldering has become a real challenge - feel free to apply speaker cloth at whatever angle seems good to you!

slainthe!
sandy

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by sandy_r

Agreed!

...the absolute first memory i have of music, not the '40s but soon after, was heard on an anonymous radio (possibly DIYed by my dad), in the depths of Deeside

i remember that it was 'Big Wig in the Wigwam' - i don't remember any details at all about the magical piece of equipment which produced this memorable sound

my eyesight is failing, too, now, and i find that soldering has become a real challenge - feel free to apply speaker cloth at whatever angle seems good to you!

slainthe!
sandy

Cheers Sandy,

My Eye sight is not the best just now, new prescription glasses coming soon, in the meantime I will get my son to correct my wonky speaker cloth. Hopefully it will come off ok

Regards
Lee

[Scotorvm]

Just a thought guy's, if you look at the very first pictures I posted, does the original speaker cloth look straight?

Unless my eyes deceive me, it is also off the level.

This was an untouched radio set IMHO..

[Radio tirana]

Hi Lee, I have attached a picture I took when I first got my A22.
As you can see the cloth is not straight but on a bias. I don't think this has been disturbed as it is still glued to the circular frame and is as far as I can tell it's original.

Kind regards tony aka Radio Tirana

[sandy_r]

Originally Posted by Scotorvm

Just a thought guy's, if you look at the very first pictures I posted, does the original speaker cloth look straight?

Unless my eyes deceive me, it is also off the level.

This was an untouched radio set IMHO..

looks (to me) like you've recreated the original angle spot-on !

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by Radio tirana

Hi Lee, I have attached a picture I took when I first got my A22.
As you can see the cloth is not straight but on a bias. I don't think this has been disturbed as it is still glued to the circular frame and is as far as I can tell it's original.

Kind regards tony aka Radio Tirana

Hi Tony

Yes that looks like the same cloth as the set I have.
Same angle too re the pattern. Thanks.

Cheers
Lee

[Scotorvm]

Originally Posted by sandy_r

looks (to me) like you've recreated the original angle spot-on !

Thanks Sandy.

I caved in and had the cloth adjusted. Not sure it really matters though as I liked it as it was, it is something that can be altered at any time without damage.
Have nice NOS valves too

Thanks for your time.

Cheers
Lee