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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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8th Sep 2009, 9:53 pm | #21 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,898
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
A great job Robert! Nice to see a set like this restored so well, as you say a complete strip of the chassis was the only way forward after it had been daubed like that, it amazes me what some people call "refurbishment". I once saw a classic S type Jag that had a lovely job done on the engine but while it was out the owner had painted the whole engine bay with thick black hammerite!
You must have the patience of a saint! Rich.
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The rotation of the earth really makes my day... |
8th Sep 2009, 11:59 pm | #22 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somerset, UK.
Posts: 2,356
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Very good and great backboard . It just shows what can be achieved with time and patience
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9th Sep 2009, 1:56 am | #23 | ||||
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Wow, I wasn't expecting such a response! I really appreciate you all taking the time to praise my restoration. I feel flattered by your very kind remarks. Many thanks to you all!
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From my local hardware shop which reqularly has it in stock. I believe its generally available from the well known DIY stores as well. I can't say that I've ever had a problem obtaining it in that thickness whenever I've needed some. Regards |
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9th Sep 2009, 12:03 pm | #24 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,864
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Fantastic, Robert!
BTW, you sometimes find thin MDF used for kitchen cupboard backs, instead of hardboard. Nick. |
9th Sep 2009, 7:14 pm | #25 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ellington, Northumberland, UK.
Posts: 815
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
That's simply wonderful work, Robert.
I consider the job all the more worthy because it is so much more troublesome when there are previous keeper's bodges to rectify during a restoration, and this was an extreme case of that phenomenon! Superb work.
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John. |
9th Sep 2009, 10:09 pm | #26 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 4,748
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Just to Ekco everyone else's comments, Robert - a lovely piece of work. Well done.
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Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts |
10th Sep 2009, 7:13 pm | #27 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
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Regards |
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2nd Oct 2009, 12:21 pm | #28 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Since posting this restoration I've received several PM's now from members asking for details about how I went about completely stripping and rewiring this set. So rather than keep replying individually I thought it might be helpful to add the information here of my way of doing things for anyone who might wish to refer to it.
First of all I take digital photographs of the untouched set so I've got something to refer back to. I literally photograph everything! Anything that I may need to look at at some point. Its especially important to get good images of the underside of valve bases, connections from IFT's, transformers, and switches. I supplement the photographs with sketches and drawings of exactly how everything is connected until I'm sure I can put it all back together again. At this point I'm ready to start dismantling and removing parts and components. I use masking tape to make small labels around wires before I cut them. These can then be written on to tally-up with points on the circuit diagram and with drawings in my notes. Doing this slowly and methodically a chassis can be easily stripped with you being confident of knowing where everything should go when you want to reassemble it. It can be a bit daunting when first attempted, especially with sought after sets such as the A22 here, but sometimes a complete strip and rebuild is the only way forward. However I would only recommend undertaking this sort of thing when absolutely necessary and the condition of the set demands it. But I must say I personally enjoy having to restore a set this way, it gives a much greater sense of satisfaction when completed than a simple re-cap, clean and polish! Regards |
3rd Oct 2009, 9:29 pm | #29 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,593
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Well done Robert
This is a remarkable restoration. The remanufactured back cover is excellent. Personally I think the use of modern capacitors and resistors is OK even in a classic radio of this age as long as they are the same value as the originals and in the same place, the capacitors look fine and no doubt the radio works better for a new set of resistors and will continue working reliably for many years to come. Howard |
10th Oct 2009, 2:45 pm | #30 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Thank you for the very kind comments Howard. Regarding the wholesale change of capacitors and resistors. Its not something I would normally consider doing to any set unless absolutely necessary, and especially not to a round Ekco! But faced with the condition the chassis was in, all but one of the wax capacitors and quite a few of the original resistors already gone. I decided I would restore it to be as reliable as possible rather than try and keep what originality was left. Plus something definitely needed doing about that black paint everywhere! So in the end the decision on how to proceed was largely already made for me.
Regards |
7th Nov 2009, 3:51 pm | #31 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield. UK.
Posts: 673
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Hi Robert,
That is one seriously fine restoration; it doesn't get any better than this and is an inspiration to us all. Supported by a great write up and images. Col. |
9th Nov 2009, 10:08 pm | #32 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Extremely nice of you Col to give me such high praise. Thank you very much!
Regards |
29th Nov 2009, 5:11 pm | #33 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
I'm not worthy............................ That IS AMAZING!
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1st Dec 2009, 7:31 pm | #34 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Thank you very much Tim, it's extremely nice of you to say that! (Your more than worthy BTW )
Kind regards |
27th Jun 2010, 10:40 am | #35 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rotherham
Posts: 8
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
I'm just gobsmacked! I love these sets and to see one painstakingly restored in this way is a real privilege. Your skill and patience are a lesson to us all. Fantastic!
Maurice |
4th Oct 2010, 1:29 am | #36 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Thank you Maurice, I really appreciate your very kind comments!
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4th Oct 2010, 5:28 pm | #37 |
Heptode
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Hockley, Essex, UK.
Posts: 575
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Hi Robert
This is the first time I have seen this thread and your restored radio looks absolutely awesome and I am pleased that you have shared your success with us. Regards Rob |
4th Oct 2010, 6:34 pm | #38 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 3,766
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
Hi, I think it has all been said! Wonderful restoration job it's a lovely feeling when a plan comes together, well done indeed.
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12th Jul 2011, 11:05 am | #39 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 12
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
What an incredible project with an absolutely beautiful result! The finished product is a credit to your obvious depth of knowledge and meticulous attention to detail... well done! Thank you for the comprehensive documentation from start to finish; it's been a fascinating read.
Best Regards, Tom |
17th Jul 2011, 5:34 pm | #40 | |||
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Ekco A22 in walnut brown/bronze c.1945
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Thank you for those kind and encouraging words. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment about my efforts. Many thanks! |
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