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Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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29th Apr 2011, 6:57 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Graves Aerial AC superhet
Hello all,
Here is a pre war Graves, a real basket case. The cabinet was a real mess, with veneer chipped out, the speaker cloth in tatters. In all a sad skip find. (not by me) There is no circuit available for this set. It has two chassis, one for the power supply and one for the tuning and output. The PSU chassis was tackled first, with 3 electrolytic caps to change and some very crumbly wiring. Once done there was voltage out of the plug to the main chassis. Voltages looked OK. Then the main chassis, I had some trouble with some caps that look like waxies but have no values on them, just a black band at each end, so each one was taken out of circuit and tested for leakage........they all leaked! So every one was put on the Marconi bridge type 1, and tested again (yes all seven or so), to get a value for them, the closest value was inserted accordingly. It was necessary to rewire most of the wiring underneath as the insulation was crumbly, this included the loom to the PSU plug and dial lights. Some veneer had to be let in on the curve of the cabinet. I tried steaming over a kettle, a pan and anything I could find! But failed to get the veneer to bend as I wanted! In the end by luck not design, I managed to do it, dipping the veneer into the boiling water, Fishing it out with the tweezers I had been using to hold it, I found the veneer piece gave a little in the way it needed to bend. So a couple more dippings and bending to shape with finger pressure gave the correct shape. Fortunately Maud was not in to see the pan being used so! Having rubbed the cabinet back, stained and given a coat of linseed oil, it was a joy to see the colour jump out. French polish was applied with a traditional rubber, in several coats, cutting back each time with 600 wet and dry, cut with talcum powder. The polishing stages were finished by lightly rubbing the cabinet with 0000 wire wool to "cut" the surface of the polish, which had been left hardening for just under a week. Having done this the cabinet was then treated to a coat of burnishing cream. Once this had dried it was polished off with a cotton cloth. The speaker cloth was totally ruined, so a new cloth was found, not the original design but sufficient for the cause,this was pinned to the baffle board and glued in position until dry. Once fitted to the cabinet the chassis’ were returned to the cabinet and a pair of period knobs fitted for wave change and volume. The original tuning knob was the only one too survived. The dial is faded on SW, however 60oldjohn supplied a scan of his (something for the future) to enable a remake. This set now has pride of place in the living room, and works exceptionally well on all three wavebands. |
29th Apr 2011, 7:02 pm | #2 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
And some pictures of the finished radio.
It is worthy of note that the volume pot does not have an on/off switch, it is incorporated in the mains lead. cheers Mark |
29th Apr 2011, 7:32 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 6,644
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
I saw this set when you got it! Amazing what can be done with an old set. Well done old bean.
Cheers, Steve P.
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If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...? |
29th Apr 2011, 7:45 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 3,764
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
A very good account of the restoration , well done it looks super i also like the finish of french polish plus it doesn't craze like some lacquers . Mick.
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29th Apr 2011, 9:28 pm | #5 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 363
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Well done, Mark - that looks very nice . The new speaker cloth suits the cabinet well.
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29th Apr 2011, 9:35 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,273
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
A nice job and makes a change from the usual mass market brands
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Kevin |
29th Apr 2011, 9:37 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Posts: 5,185
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Great job on a nice set, have you got any "before" photos?
Mark |
30th Apr 2011, 7:55 pm | #8 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Mark
here are some before pics. cheers Mark |
30th Apr 2011, 11:36 pm | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 1,962
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
That's a lovely looking set and a great write up Mark
I've got about 20 odd pre-War sets in a similar state here, it's almost tempting me to dig one out and have a go (although where they are in the rountuit pile is a mystery....) Josh. |
30th Apr 2011, 11:54 pm | #10 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Leven, Fife, Scotland
Posts: 823
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Hi Mark, A good restoration, I envy those cabinet resto skills, Regards. Norman
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1st May 2011, 12:21 pm | #11 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Excellent, well done Mark.
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Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member |
1st May 2011, 4:00 pm | #12 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Thank you for your kind comments Guys,
Norman, this is the first French Polish I have attempted, to be honest I followed Col's (retired) advice and it worked a treat! So much so that a pal of mine now wants his Marconi TV refinishing! cheers Mark |
2nd May 2011, 12:04 pm | #13 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK.
Posts: 5,422
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
A really excellent job Mark. I wish I had woodworking skills, any cabinet job I seem to do turns out like a mess!
How did you manage to persuade the missus to allow it in the house? That must be the biggest skill of them all
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Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member |
2nd May 2011, 3:01 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK.
Posts: 8,935
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Superb job,on what is probally a rare set.
David |
2nd May 2011, 4:22 pm | #15 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Trevor,
I took a set out.................for now! (it shall make a return, it is the Decca 400)! The cabinet is not perfect but for a 70 odd year old set more than acceptable. David I only know of three, two members here have one and the one I have, but you never know there may be some more about. cheers Mark |
2nd May 2011, 8:01 pm | #16 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area.
Posts: 2,967
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Fantastic job, a good worthwhile restoration. Loved the write up to.
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Simon BVWS member |
2nd May 2011, 8:29 pm | #17 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield. UK.
Posts: 673
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Hi,
What a transformation Mark; very well done and just goes to show French polishing isn't some kind of black art. I was privileged to see this set close up at the recent Golborne meeting and never noticed the veneer patches so they must blend in well. Another lovely set saved and no doubt Mark you will be looking for other sets to French polish as one is never enough and the process is addictive. A nice restoration and write up thanks for sharing. Kind regards, Col. |
2nd May 2011, 11:26 pm | #18 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Nice job
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"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
3rd May 2011, 5:45 pm | #19 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Warrington, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 421
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Quote:
Having seen your work close that is high praise indeed and I thank you, but your insights were the inspiration to tackle such a basket case. Tim thank you cheers Mark |
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3rd May 2011, 6:47 pm | #20 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 989
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Re: Graves Aerial AC superhet
Quote:
One day it will get done, but I don't think I will be able to match your superb finish. PS. It is interesting to note how they spell Aerial.= ARIEL ! SimonT.
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