Ekco AD65 chrome bars - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

60 oldjohn · 30th Dec 2011, 6:43 pm

Has anyone three spare bars willing to sell?

Thanks for looking John.

60 oldjohn · 15th Jan 2012, 12:17 pm

I am still needing them. John, BVWS member.

Robert Darwent · 15th Jan 2012, 12:25 pm

I think the genuine articles will prove virtually impossible to obtain outside of a complete set. Some sort of replacement reproduction would seem to be the only alternative.

Regards

60 oldjohn · 15th Jan 2012, 12:52 pm

Thanks Robert, I had thought about making some. The Bakelite bars on a brown AD65 are tapered in cross section, I wounder if the chrome bars are also tapered, being wider at the back. John.

Robert Darwent · 15th Jan 2012, 1:11 pm

I'm not sure about the taper John. I own a brown bakelite AD266 (which is the Radio Rentals version of the AD65 made for them by Ekco) and an empty brown bakelite AD65 case.

I hadn't particularly noticed a taper on the speaker bars from front to back. I will investigate further and report back!

Regards

Robert Darwent · 15th Jan 2012, 1:40 pm

There is a taper John, but negligible. I measured 5/32" width at the front and 3/16" at the back. So it is not noticeable to the eye really.

I would suggest a replacement metal bar of rectangular cross-section would be suitable.

I believe there are places that would then give the metal a chrome finish at a reasonable price by mail.

Regards

60 oldjohn · 15th Jan 2012, 6:43 pm

Thank you Robert, I will try and get some brass. Any one know if the chome bars had a taper? I suspect the taper on Bakelite bars was for ease of release during the moulding process.

Robert Darwent · 15th Jan 2012, 8:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60 oldjohn

I suspect the taper on Bakelite bars was for ease of release during the moulding process.

I would agree with that suspicion John.

Although I don't know for certain as I don't own or have access to a black/chrome version of the AD65, I would assume that the speaker bars are of rectangular cross-section at 3/16" thickness and have no taper.

If you do decided to have a go at making your own bars, post #19 of the following thread recommends a suitable company for the re-chroming;

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...=55701&post#19

One point I would make though is that if you intend to use brass to make the bars from, to ensure that it is a suitable metal for the re-chroming process. I don't know whether brass is suitable or not and you may already know for certain in that regard, but I thought it worth mentioning before you proceed.

Best wishes and regards

60 oldjohn · 15th Jan 2012, 11:49 pm

I have had brass chromed before, by a local firm. I just need some brass bar 4.5mm x 13mm, or 3/16 x 1/2 inch which seems difficult to obtain without having to reduce it throughout its length. I have had a quick look on internet and not found any yet. Any one sell the exact size?

John.

Radio_Dave · 16th Jan 2012, 4:15 pm

Hi John,

There's this on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-300-MM-...item45f20c7b3f You don't specify the length, so I don't know if it's long enough?

David

Robert Darwent · 16th Jan 2012, 4:47 pm

Looks to be just what John needs Dave.

The three speaker bars are all equal in size. I haven't got an exact measurement to hand, but as a guess-timate I believe they are roughly 5.5 inches in length. So John will need two lots of the brass bar being offered in that link.

Regards

60 oldjohn · 16th Jan 2012, 6:55 pm

Thank you Dave and Robert, another forum member kindly Pm me with the same info and I orderd a couple of lengths. The outside bars are 6" and the middle bar is just slightly longer so ony one per 12" length. Cost £13.06 inc p&p.
The then came a shock I started trying to find a place to get them chromed, I was quoted £45 + VAT, I think I will take them to their works rather than explaning over the phone. John.

Robert Darwent · 16th Jan 2012, 7:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60 oldjohn

The outside bars are 6" and the middle bar is just slightly longer so ony one per 12" length.

Yes you're quite right, the middle bar is longer than the other two. Sorry, I didn't take that into account with my earlier 'guess-timate' when I said you'd only need two lots of the brass bar in Dave's link.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60 oldjohn

The then came a shock I started trying to find a place to get them chromed, I was quoted £45 + VAT

Wow, that is pricey! Have you tried the company in the earlier link I gave you back in post #8? The OP stated he was only charged £15 for re-chroming an A22 speaker ring bezel.

Regards

60 oldjohn · 16th Jan 2012, 9:36 pm

Hi Robert, most of the cost is the buffing. Like I said I will hawk them around, let them see there are no difficult corners ect. Hopefully it will be a greatly reduced price. John.

60 oldjohn · 17th Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

Just an update, The brass bar I ordered yesterday at 11.26 from Chronos Engineering Supplies arrived early this morning very well packed, with a 5% discount voucher of my next order. I am very impressed with their service. I should add I have no connection only a satisfied customer. John.

Aerodyne · 17th Jan 2012, 1:45 pm

Don't forget about this material, John:
http://themodelmakersresource.co.uk/...rticle018.html
and for a supplier:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?ma...urer_id=309536
Also available from Hobby's.
A lot cheaper than plating, I suspect - worth a try. There's a few videos on U-tube but using model cars.
-Tony

60 oldjohn · 17th Jan 2012, 2:58 pm

Hi Tony, I have some of that foil, or something very similar, my only concern is the ends of the bars are round. This would need cutting and folding. I am not too sure how it would look, I never was any good at wrapping presents! I will have a short length of brass left over to practice on. John.

Sean Williams · 17th Jan 2012, 10:39 pm

Unfortunately Chrome plating has become very expensive of late - I had a pair of handles chromed about 18 months ago - £61!

It moght be worth finding someone that is having a large batch done, and sneaking your little bits in - most places have a minimum charge, I think you might have just found that out.

HTH
Sean

60 oldjohn · 18th Jan 2012, 12:52 am

Tony, I have tried the foil, might be good stuff but not for the size I am doing. Sean, I still have to let the Platers see the bars to get a better price.

Thanks, John,

dseymo1 · 18th Jan 2012, 7:35 pm

Chromium plating's a nasty process, and I suspect that much of the cost these days relates to H&S precautions.
Perhaps a plater can offer an alternative bright metal finish at a better price.
I understand that it's often possible to negotiate a better rate on small parts if one isn't in any hurry, as they can include the items in a batch of larger jobs.

15th Jan 2012, 12:17 pm	#2
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars I am still needing them. John, BVWS member.

15th Jan 2012, 12:25 pm	#3
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars I think the genuine articles will prove virtually impossible to obtain outside of a complete set. Some sort of replacement reproduction would seem to be the only alternative. Regards __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk

15th Jan 2012, 12:52 pm	#4
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Thanks Robert, I had thought about making some. The Bakelite bars on a brown AD65 are tapered in cross section, I wounder if the chrome bars are also tapered, being wider at the back. John.

15th Jan 2012, 1:11 pm	#5
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars I'm not sure about the taper John. I own a brown bakelite AD266 (which is the Radio Rentals version of the AD65 made for them by Ekco) and an empty brown bakelite AD65 case. I hadn't particularly noticed a taper on the speaker bars from front to back. I will investigate further and report back! Regards __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk

15th Jan 2012, 1:40 pm	#6
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars There is a taper John, but negligible. I measured 5/32" width at the front and 3/16" at the back. So it is not noticeable to the eye really. I would suggest a replacement metal bar of rectangular cross-section would be suitable. I believe there are places that would then give the metal a chrome finish at a reasonable price by mail. Regards __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk

30th Dec 2011, 6:43 pm	#1
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Ekco AD65 chrome bars Has anyone three spare bars willing to sell? Thanks for looking John.

15th Jan 2012, 6:43 pm	#7
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Thank you Robert, I will try and get some brass. Any one know if the chome bars had a taper? I suspect the taper on Bakelite bars was for ease of release during the moulding process.

15th Jan 2012, 11:49 pm	#9
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars I have had brass chromed before, by a local firm. I just need some brass bar 4.5mm x 13mm, or 3/16 x 1/2 inch which seems difficult to obtain without having to reduce it throughout its length. I have had a quick look on internet and not found any yet. Any one sell the exact size? John.

16th Jan 2012, 4:15 pm	#10
Radio_Dave Nonode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 2,543	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Hi John, There's this on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-300-MM-...item45f20c7b3f You don't specify the length, so I don't know if it's long enough? David

16th Jan 2012, 4:47 pm	#11
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Looks to be just what John needs Dave. The three speaker bars are all equal in size. I haven't got an exact measurement to hand, but as a guess-timate I believe they are roughly 5.5 inches in length. So John will need two lots of the brass bar being offered in that link. Regards __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk Last edited by Robert Darwent; 16th Jan 2012 at 4:57 pm.

16th Jan 2012, 6:55 pm	#12
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Thank you Dave and Robert, another forum member kindly Pm me with the same info and I orderd a couple of lengths. The outside bars are 6" and the middle bar is just slightly longer so ony one per 12" length. Cost £13.06 inc p&p. The then came a shock I started trying to find a place to get them chromed, I was quoted £45 + VAT, I think I will take them to their works rather than explaning over the phone. John.

16th Jan 2012, 9:36 pm	#14
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Hi Robert, most of the cost is the buffing. Like I said I will hawk them around, let them see there are no difficult corners ect. Hopefully it will be a greatly reduced price. John.

17th Jan 2012, 12:50 pm	#15
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Just an update, The brass bar I ordered yesterday at 11.26 from Chronos Engineering Supplies arrived early this morning very well packed, with a 5% discount voucher of my next order. I am very impressed with their service. I should add I have no connection only a satisfied customer. John.

17th Jan 2012, 1:45 pm	#16
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Don't forget about this material, John: http://themodelmakersresource.co.uk/...rticle018.html and for a supplier: http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?ma...urer_id=309536 Also available from Hobby's. A lot cheaper than plating, I suspect - worth a try. There's a few videos on U-tube but using model cars. -Tony

17th Jan 2012, 2:58 pm	#17
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Hi Tony, I have some of that foil, or something very similar, my only concern is the ends of the bars are round. This would need cutting and folding. I am not too sure how it would look, I never was any good at wrapping presents! I will have a short length of brass left over to practice on. John.

17th Jan 2012, 10:39 pm	#18
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Unfortunately Chrome plating has become very expensive of late - I had a pair of handles chromed about 18 months ago - £61! It moght be worth finding someone that is having a large batch done, and sneaking your little bits in - most places have a minimum charge, I think you might have just found that out. HTH Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

18th Jan 2012, 12:52 am	#19
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Tony, I have tried the foil, might be good stuff but not for the size I am doing. Sean, I still have to let the Platers see the bars to get a better price. Thanks, John,

18th Jan 2012, 7:35 pm	#20
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Ekco AD65 chrome bars Chromium plating's a nasty process, and I suspect that much of the cost these days relates to H&S precautions. Perhaps a plater can offer an alternative bright metal finish at a better price. I understand that it's often possible to negotiate a better rate on small parts if one isn't in any hurry, as they can include the items in a batch of larger jobs.