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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only.

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Old 10th Oct 2018, 8:55 pm   #1
steve102
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Default HMV 655 Armchair Radio

I've obtained an HMV 655 armchair radio. It’s a massive piece of kit measuring approximately 24” x 24” x 29” high and needs 2 people to lift it.
Most of the 2.3nf silver mica capacitors have been replaced in the past with Mullard mustards but there are still some original waxed paper decoupling capacitors that have melted and will definitely need replacing.
There are some circuit differences from the Broadcaster and manufacturers service sheets, including an extra tag board and capacitor near to V1.
I’ve decided to concentrate initially on restoring the cabinet while the weather is still good and to leave the electrical restoration for the autumn inter weekends.
It looked like the cabinet top had been used as a workbench at some point with deep scratches, drill holes and veneer loss. Fortunately, the damaged areas are responding well to treatment after first stripping the original cellulose finish which was flaking.
The rear wooden panel is missing but luckily the bookshelf is present so it should be relatively easy to make a replacement panel. Can anybody please confirm the correct height and thickness of the rear panel?

Steve
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Old 10th Oct 2018, 10:25 pm   #2
MurphyNut
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

There can only be a handful of these very unusual sets left, I was asked to restore (the cabinet) of one of these some 20 years ago. I remember it weighted a ton even with all the insides removed.
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Old 12th Oct 2018, 8:29 am   #3
steve102
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

Your restored cabinet looks spectacular Clive, it shows off the contrasting veneers to their best effect.
I've found an earlier thread with a picture of the bookcase side posted by 350i which should enable me to scale the height of the wood panel.

Steve
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Old 12th Oct 2018, 8:53 pm   #4
PaulR
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

The cabinet looks very well indeed. I can never understand why the makers used lovely veneers then covered them with thick brown lacquer.
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Old 12th Oct 2018, 9:28 pm   #5
turretslug
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

That is a lovely piece of furniture, not to mention a rather fine receiver that must have been a source of fascination in its day. I wonder if these 655s survived because they doubled up as coffee/bedside table/bookshelf when lesser receivers simply became something broken that was in the way!

I can't help thinking that the veneer finish would have been as much appreciated in the '30s as today, perhaps the varnish was pale/near transparent originally but decades of sunlight and internal warmth oxidised it to the gravy brown typically seen.
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Old 12th Oct 2018, 9:35 pm   #6
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

I have a long case clock from the same era which has very similar veneers and the lacquer has stayed clear and shiny so that it looks much as it would have done when new.

Maybe the way the finish ages is a bit like rubber grommets and rubber covered wiring from the '30s. Some has aged very well and some has gone solid.
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Old 13th Oct 2018, 8:36 am   #7
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

Very fine receiver "turretslug"! I had the Marconi console version and the HMV table version many years ago. They really came to life in the mid 1950's with a BSR autochanger plugged in.
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Old 22nd Feb 2019, 2:26 pm   #8
steve102
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

The bookcase section is now complete with a new back panel. I used 12mm hardwood ply which I bookmatch veneered in walnut.
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Old 23rd Feb 2019, 9:58 am   #9
Kevin Hoyland
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Default Re: HMV 655 Armchair Radio

Hello Steve .
It is looking good, keep the good work up and I look forward to seeing the workings back in the case.


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