EKCO A22, looking good, sounding good

Hi all,

From my many posts about the A22 I got for (don't tell SHMBO) far too much from ebay you have probably guessed I am restoring an A22, at last the whole thing is done. Here is what I had to do.

1. Clean the case, this was very grubby but under all the grime a complete unscratched, uncracked black bakelite beauty. I cleaned it with Mr Muscle, then Brasso and finaly Antiquax polish.

2. Clean the chassis, I didn't go overboard here, under all the dust it wasn't that bad, just old looking, it is so it stays like it.

3. Replace the duff components, as normal all the waxies where replaced with yellow jobbies. Every resitor was out more than 20% so all of those got changed too for 2W carbon film type, they are in scale with the originals.

4. All the wires changed for either PVC from heat resistant flex or silicone.

5. Bad news, the mains transformer was duff, used a 250V/6.3V one temporarily with silicon diodes until murphymad rewound the old one. What a job! looks just like a new one would but made of better stuff.

6. The dial, had holes drilled in it, no idea why, anyway it was horrible. I drew up a new dial in Autocad, got it printed onto waterproof 'paper' which is made of plastic and sandwiched it twixt two pieces of 1mm perspex. This 'paper' is perfect for the dial as it has no grain letting the light look good behind it and it isn't a bright white.

7. Crome ring, dull and pitted, got it rechromed for 15 quid.

8. Speaker cloth, still looking for someting original but for now it is lycra, super easy to use as it is very stretchy. You can poke it to your hearts content, simply springs back. And has no noticeable effect on the sound.

9. New mains lead.

Now she is running well, I have made a repro (well it would be a repro if they made one for the A22) stand for it. Looks fantastic in the kitchen and gets used. The rectifier has a bit of a purple glow, others tell me this will be fine, to be sure a NOS one is on order.

[Lloyd 1985]

Very nice!!
you have done an absolutely stunning job on that set, getting the ring re-chromed sets it off nicely with the new dial, and the stand is fantastic too!! well done

regards,
Lloyd.

Forgot one bit, one knob had a bit missing from the skirt, made a mould from the other and cast an epoxy bit in place, almost unnoticable.

[JoshWard]

Wow!

Usually I think these sets can be a bit overrated and overpriced but seeing yours there easily makes me think otherwise.

Brilliant job, a hell of a lot of effort has gone into that

Josh.

[Steve_P]

Wish I could afford one! They look brilliant when done up to this standard.

Cheers,

Steve P.

Originally Posted by Steve_P

Wish I could afford one!

So do I, cheap austerity beer for a month or two now.

[vinrads]

What a beauty looks good on the stand well done , i hope like me it will be the last radio you will sell, not done much in the radio workshop latley been busy constructing a place to display the best of my collection , pictures soon ,regards Mick.

[Aerodyne]

What a superb job. I like the sound of that plastic 'paper'. Any clues as to the source?
-Tony

Plastic paper, waterproof injet paper, used for maps. A4 is easy to get, A3 on the otherhand is only available in 100 sheet packs for 200 quid (arghhhhhh).

[Patrick Dixon]

Grand job - lovely looking radio.

[yampy187]

Well done mate. that looks superb

[Tazman1966]

Never really looked much more than twice at these sets but you've done a great job there. Well done! Like the stand too

[Boom]

That's a lovely job. The dial in particular is amazing.

[Radio_Dave]

That's a fine restoration.... Well done

David

[dallaslaff]

Hi, Can I add my congratulations, I've followed this restoration with interest. Very impressed with the effort you have put in to it, the results justify the hard work. Well done.
Les

[howard]

That's gorgeous

Howard

Thank you all for the uplifting comments. Currently listening to 'Question Time' on the old girl, she looks like a new set. I was very lucky in getting (under the grime) a pristine cabinet. Elbow grease is handy but having a good start is so useful.

And don't be afraid of a few itterations to get something right. Otherwise it will niggle at you for ever.

[Boom]

After seeing others sets I am tempted to apply polish to my baby to see if I like it or not but if I don't will I be able to get it all off easily I wonder?

[chipp1968]

Looking good .its making me want one

Originally Posted by Boom

After seeing others sets I am tempted to apply polish to my baby to see if I like it or not but if I don't will I be able to get it all off easily I wonder?

White Spirit gets it off, also a good lubricant for wet and dry on bakelite, doesn't make the filler swell.