RGD 1046G radiogram cabinet restoration.

[FERNSEH]

I have started work on the RGD 1046G radiogram cabinet. This might involve a fair bit of work.
The pictures show the repair to the right side rear edge of the cabinet. The plywood has delaminated. Also the veneer along the bottom front panel was missing. New walnut veneers have been applied, a slightly lighter shade compared with original veneers.
Today, with the Homestrip product I'll attempt to remove the lacquer from cabinet lid. It was pretty useless on the HMV 801, it might be easier with this gram as the lacquer is much thinner.

DFWB.

[FERNSEH]

The real work has now started. The front has been sandpapered folowed by the first application of french polish.
Note the burr walnut veneer at the side of the loudspeaker aperture.
The cabinet corners have spung apart so that will call for the sash cramps again.
That awful record deck adaptor will have to go. To bring the radiogram up to model 1046G3 specification a Garrard RC72 autochanger will be required.

DFWB.

[Heatercathodeshort]

David, I have a spare RC72 [3 speed] changer in the loft. It works very well but it is the model with the arm designed for the Acos interchangable heads, the little block ones. [GP19] The one fitted gives around 50% output. I think you can fit a standard Garrard headshell. It was removed from a worm eaten Ultra Leader radiogram. Yours if you want it. I will put it on your pile for collection when you next visit.. J.

[FERNSEH]

Hi John,
Thanks for the offer of the RC72, the correct record deck for the 1046G3.
Today's task was to clamp up the cabinet in an attempt to bring the front and side panels together. As you can see from the pictures the cabinet is compressed in two directions. We'll see later if these efforts are a success.

Link to the RGD museum: http://www.rgd.org.uk/ RGD products manufactured at Bridgenorth between 1929 up to 1952. After 1953 RGD products were made by by Regentone at the Romford works.
Nothing wrong with the Regentone made sets but they are not real RGD.

DFWB.

[FERNSEH]

The left side panel has been sanded off and today the first application of french polish.
Note the toggle on-off switch.

DFWB.

[FERNSEH]

Yesterday the right side panel received attention. Same procedure as before, the old lacquer was sanded off and then followed by the first application of french polish.

DFWB.

[FERNSEH]

Picture of the cabinet lid. Note the symetrical pattern.
Looks like the intro to an old Dr Who TV show.

DFWB.

[matthewhouse]

Fantastic work!

[Nickthedentist]

Seconded!

What's the history of this particular machine, David?

[FERNSEH]

Hi Nick,
The RGD radiogram was donated to me by forum member Ed Dinning.
Ed got it from a house clearance in Consett, County Durham.

It is my intention to bring this 1046G model up to a similar specification as the later model 1046G3. The 1951 version of this gram has a three speed Garrard record changer and separate bass and treble controls. The PX4 push-pull amplifier was modified with the addition of negative feedback.

The electrical restoration will appear as a separate topic on this Forum.

DFWB.

[mark pirate]

That is a fantastic result David, the veneers on the lid are stunning.
How are the electronics coming along?

Mark

[FERNSEH]

Hi Mark,
that's another story. The radio receiver section is fine, it's a beautifully built unit, the construction quality is almost mil spec.
The amplifier will require a total rebuild. For the tone controls I've allowed myself some engineering license because I'm building in a full Baxandall system. The circuit will be copied from a 1952 Wireless World article.
Valves chosen for the job are the ECC40. Use the tech and components of those times.
In order the three speed record deck can be installed the wooden baseboard will be replaced with one removed from a scrapped 1046G. In the original 1046G the loudspeaker switch was situated behind the record deck. In the 1046G3 the record deck was moved further back to the rear and the tone controls and speaker switch were repositioned at the front edge of the record deck.
A great deal of care will be required removing the record deck board. It is screwed and glued in place.
A picture of the 1046G3 can be seen on the home page of the RGD museum website: http://www.rgd.org.uk/

DFWB.

[FERNSEH]

Ed Dinning has rewound the burnt out transformer which was fitted in the special amplifier made for another forum member. This amplifier has been kindly donated to me so that the reconstruction of the 1046G radiogram can continue.
Ed has rewound the transformer to the later specification of the 1046G3 and 850G radiograms. The primary wound to match two push-pull PX4 triodes just like the original. The secondary now has a tapped winding for 3, 7.5 and 15 ohm loudspeakers.
Included in the later specification is added refinement of negative feed back.
Same valve line-up: SP41 amplifier, HL41 phase splitter, 2 X PX4. The HT rectifier is now an UU5 to replace the difficult to find UU7.

The story of the electrical restoration will appear in the vintage record players section of the Forum.

DFWB.

[stevehertz]

Great work David, and nice to see how and what other people are doing to learn from them, thanks.

[AC/HL]

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