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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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21st Feb 2008, 10:18 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
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McMichael 137.
Good evening all. I am in need of a picture/drawing of the wave band indicator mechanism, it is missing from the radio dial. There is a short length of cable outer (mechanical not electrical ) and that is all. This is all there is needed to make the radio complete. Apart from a set of valves which will have to wait a while.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Cheers and thank you. Geoff. |
21st Feb 2008, 10:45 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK.
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Re: McMichael 137.
I can't help you with that specific set, but I have a McMichael model 154 which was in exactly the same state when I received it. I made a rather crude attempt at constructing a rotating disc, but it wasn't entirely successful My set didn't use a bowden cable, just a simple piece of dial cord and a return spring.
Good luck anyway. Perhaps Josh will read your message and reply, he's the expert McMichael collector around here! By the way, what valves do you need? I may have some. Phil
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Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts Last edited by Phil G4SPZ; 21st Feb 2008 at 10:48 pm. Reason: Further comments added |
22nd Feb 2008, 1:04 am | #3 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hello Phil the valves are a motley assortment of goodness knows what, the only valve that agrees with the sticker in the set is the UU4. So it needs a set, if you have any of the following please then that would be super. Let me know how much, pay-pal, cheque or postal order to suit you.
AC/TH1. AC/VP2. AC/HL/DD. AC/2PEN. UU4. They all come up low or replace on the tester. Thanks for your time and trouble. Cheers. Geoff. |
22nd Feb 2008, 3:35 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff,
Sorry, the only one I have is an equivalent to the AC/VP2, a VP41, but it's the only spare I have for an Ekco PB189 which is waiting to be restored, so I don't really want to part with it yet. Duncan Amp comes up with the following equivalents, though, which may help: AC/TH1 - CV2830 AC/VP2 - CV1414, CV2832, CV21 or VP41 AC/HL/DD - CV2813 AC2PEN - CV2808 You may find that the set works, even with the valves a bit below par, once you've replaced all the defunct passive components. Good luck, sorry I can't help further Phil
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Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts |
22nd Feb 2008, 6:32 pm | #5 |
Octode
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Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK.
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff, I have a 135 which as far as I'm aware uses exactly the same tuning cord layout. I will take you a picture although it might be a couple of days as it's right at the back of one of my shelving units, although at least when it's out for photographing I can finally get round to restoring it.... Josh.
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22nd Feb 2008, 9:36 pm | #6 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hello, Phil thank you for trying, the equivalents list will be very useful and gives me another option.
Hi Josh a photograph would be great, I have managed to restring the tuning cord what fun, someone had moved the pulley on the tuning spindle so that it was impossible to get full travel on the pointer, to clarify I have a letter box shaped slot on the tuning dial and a bracket underneath, the slot has a 1 1/2" length of bowden cable outer attached to it, there is nothing else anywhere. There has got to be a couple of pulleys and a quadrant of some sort, or something.I just need an idea as to what I have to make or find. Any little scrap of information would be greatly appreciated.Thank you. Cheers. Geoff. |
23rd Feb 2008, 6:09 pm | #7 |
Octode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff, I've just remembered the 135 doesn't show which waveband it's on so I can't help, sorry. I haven't got a 137 yet but hopefully someone on the forum does, if not I'll try and get one even quicker (any excuse for another McMichael...). Best of luck, sorry I can't help, Josh.
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23rd Feb 2008, 10:07 pm | #8 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Josh thats no problem at all,thanks for offering to help. I think that some of the info that I found mentioned that the mains transformers had a habit of catching fire, this is a worry. Funny thing is I have just got a 135 and the soldering is rotten, some of the worst I've seen and the transformer is dropping wax!
Think I will have to get some info on it. Cheers Geoff. |
24th Feb 2008, 12:02 pm | #9 |
Octode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff, I've never heard anything about the transformers catching fire but they might have done! The 135 is a lovely set, then again so is the 137. My 135 worked first time and it had probably been in a shed for the last 50 years, these are very robust sets. I wish you the best of luck with both restorations! Josh.
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24th Feb 2008, 4:38 pm | #10 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Thanks for that Josh , being the MM Master have you any idea how many have survived?I havnt heard much about them.
Cheers. Geoff. |
24th Feb 2008, 4:44 pm | #11 |
Octode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geof, I've got no idea how many survive but I can find out for you as a friend of mine, David Cochrane has been collecting McMichael serial numbers for a long time now, he used to work for McMichael. Josh.
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24th Feb 2008, 8:21 pm | #12 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
WoW Josh that would be good,many thanks for your trouble. It was curiosity really because I read on a different thread that they made radiograms and record players etc. but I have never seen one.
Cheers. Geoff. |
25th Feb 2008, 10:00 pm | #13 |
Octode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff, They did make a radiogram version of the 137, they're rather rare and rather beautiful! Oh and rather heavy! I'll contact David later this week. Josh.
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26th Feb 2008, 12:27 pm | #14 |
Retired Dormant Member
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hi Geoff,
I was interested to read about your Model 137. I think that Gerry Wells has one in his museum that you might be able to look at if you are ever over that way. I have a box full of valves which I had years ago as spares for the sets in the McMichael museum - I have been meaning to get rid of them for some time now so I will try to remember to look out the ones you need when I'm next in the attic. No idea of value, but I'm sure some knowledgeable chap can advise us on a fair price! Josh is right - I've been collecting serial numbers of McM sets (1920-55) for over 25 years now (sad I know, but it's OK, I really do have a life!) and I have nearly 600 listed so far. The Model 135s are easily the most numerous, at 62. I have 26 Model 137s listed - more than I thought. I would appreciate having the numbers of yours as well, please. The radiogram that Josh mentions is the Model 365 - a lovely bit of kit; I have 10 of those listed. We didn't make any stand-alone record-players before the war. Although I have a drawing of the (rather complicated) drive cord layout, I regret that I don't have the info you need. Best regards, David |
26th Feb 2008, 1:05 pm | #15 |
Heptode
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Re: McMichael 137.
Hello Mr McMichael sir. David it was good to hear from you, silly collecting numbers? Nah not at all, I have a car that is a BX model, I saw a radio that had BX as a model (RCA victor.) and promptly bought it. My son collects bus numbers and has traveled all over the country.
Rescued the 137 from an ashbox, being thrown out, some 40 years ago and thought it was time to get it together. The serial number is 223687. Have just got a 135 because it was with a stand that matched the colour of the 137. I have the date of purchase and serial number of the 135 if it is of any interest.28/3/36 and 175977. The offer of some valves is very kind, I believe that they are about £8 to £12 ea. new. If you have any for the 135 then that would be great as that is probably worse I think. I am sure that we can come to an fare agreement as regards price. I will have a serious look at making up something for the wave change indicator,it's funny that there dosnt seem to be Any sign of anything left of it. Thank you for your interest. Cheers. Geoff. |