Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Oxide_2008 · 21st Feb 2008, 7:45 pm

Having just taken delivery of a new project-HMV 1407 battery only set. Circa 1948, I have given it a look over.

One of the things noted was the metal dial cord has corroded through.
What is the best type of cord to make a replacement, I am assuming that this metal type cord is no longer available?

Has anyone got any recommended way of removing sulphate crystals from chassis-presumably caused by the LT accumulator venting over time?
I was thinking along the lines of bicarbonate solution, brushed on then rinsed off?

It honestly is not quite as bad as it might sound, the number one job being to sort the 9 or so woodworm holes (must have sat near one of those Cossors!-see other thread).

wireful3 · 21st Feb 2008, 8:24 pm

I got some braided steel fishing line at a Sunday market that I found useful. It comes in various sizes so it is worth trying a Fishing Tackle shop to see if they can help.

Oxide_2008 · 21st Feb 2008, 9:12 pm

Thanks, I did not know metal line was available. I'll check that out.

Kilodyne · 21st Feb 2008, 9:20 pm

DRENNAN 7 STRAND PIKE WIRE 24LB 10.9KG Is a woven Stainless Steel wire & is the same size an type as used on Eddystone's. I have used a number of times to replace dial drive wires on Eddystone's. I bought it a local fishing shop. It was about £3 for 20M.
You could try that.

Dave.

wireful3 · 21st Feb 2008, 9:25 pm

It is not properly called fishing line but I don't know the technical name. I am sure if you can take a bit for a sample or tell them what you want your problem will be solved.

Hermit6345 · 21st Feb 2008, 9:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxide_2008

What is the best type of cord to make a replacement, I am assuming that this metal type cord is no longer available?

If you can't find what you want in the Angling shop try

http://www.radioverzameling.nl/repro/uk/

and see if the tuning wire they have is any use. Look under the Misc. tab second item down.

jbraes · 21st Feb 2008, 9:58 pm

What you should ask for in any angling shop is wire trace. This is a very flexible steel braided wire with a plastic coating. It is normally used for pike fishing etc and available in short lengths or on spools from about 15lbs breaking strain upwards. It can be bent over to form a very small loop. The easiest way to do this is to strip off about an inch, or less, of the plastic coating, fold the wire back on itself, wind on very fine wire to hold the loop together and then a drop of super glue.
Hope this helps.
John.

21st Feb 2008, 7:45 pm	#1
Oxide_2008 Triode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Didcot Posts: 17	Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute Having just taken delivery of a new project-HMV 1407 battery only set. Circa 1948, I have given it a look over. One of the things noted was the metal dial cord has corroded through. What is the best type of cord to make a replacement, I am assuming that this metal type cord is no longer available? Has anyone got any recommended way of removing sulphate crystals from chassis-presumably caused by the LT accumulator venting over time? I was thinking along the lines of bicarbonate solution, brushed on then rinsed off? It honestly is not quite as bad as it might sound, the number one job being to sort the 9 or so woodworm holes (must have sat near one of those Cossors!-see other thread).

21st Feb 2008, 8:24 pm	#2
wireful3 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 808	Re: Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute I got some braided steel fishing line at a Sunday market that I found useful. It comes in various sizes so it is worth trying a Fishing Tackle shop to see if they can help.

21st Feb 2008, 9:12 pm	#3
Oxide_2008 Triode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Didcot Posts: 17	Re: Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute Thanks, I did not know metal line was available. I'll check that out.

21st Feb 2008, 9:20 pm	#4
Kilodyne Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Merseyside Posts: 1	Re: Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute DRENNAN 7 STRAND PIKE WIRE 24LB 10.9KG Is a woven Stainless Steel wire & is the same size an type as used on Eddystone's. I have used a number of times to replace dial drive wires on Eddystone's. I bought it a local fishing shop. It was about £3 for 20M. You could try that. Dave.

21st Feb 2008, 9:25 pm	#5
wireful3 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 808	Re: Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute It is not properly called fishing line but I don't know the technical name. I am sure if you can take a bit for a sample or tell them what you want your problem will be solved.

21st Feb 2008, 9:58 pm	#7
jbraes Triode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ullapool, Scotland Posts: 18	Re: Metal dial cord replacement-a substitute What you should ask for in any angling shop is wire trace. This is a very flexible steel braided wire with a plastic coating. It is normally used for pike fishing etc and available in short lengths or on spools from about 15lbs breaking strain upwards. It can be bent over to form a very small loop. The easiest way to do this is to strip off about an inch, or less, of the plastic coating, fold the wire back on itself, wind on very fine wire to hold the loop together and then a drop of super glue. Hope this helps. John.