Mystery PYE restore done

[Geaney]

Well almost -just a few tidy up things to do but basically it's done. I'll try to post the last few video clips to YouTube before the weekend. It's been a great project and since the sound of the radio is so good this one gets price of place in the living room.
I've taken tons of photos so there's a chance I'll do a step-by-step write up on this one.
Cheers,
John

[Yorkie]

Well almost -just a few tidy up things to do but basically it's done. I'll try to post the last few video clips to YouTube before the weekend. It's been a great project and since the sound of the radio is so good this one gets price of place in the living room.
I've taken tons of photos so there's a chance I'll do a step-by-step write up on this one.
Cheers,
John

That looks splendid John. To have restored an exisiting cabinet to that standard would have been impressive, but to have built it from scrach veneered and finished it, restored the radio, and in particular, made the mother of pearl 'PYE' logo is quite ourtstanding!

I am not worthy!

Looking forward to the youtube vid!

David

[Steve_P]

Irish version of one of Pye's classic designs. Nicely done too,

Cheers,

Steve P.

[Tedzed1]

May I say, that looks splendid, a credit to yourself sir.

[Geaney]

OK guys, the last two clips of the build are finally uploaded to my YT channel. I had some problems with the penultimate clip so the final one uploaded first. Anyway if you want to have a look just enter 'Mystery PYE' in the YT search field. I'm not sure how long the final one will stay up as YT just sent me a copyright notice. I deliberately played just extracts of the tracks to avoid the issue but it seems this may not have been enough. So, if you suddenly find no sound on the clip I guess the copyright folks removed the sound track.
Thanks for all the kinds words. I enjoyed this project enormously.
Cheers, John

[AlanBeckett]

John,
Now you've done one another will be easy.
I've got a 39J/H chassis that works splendidly but needs a cabinet .........
A beautiful job, well done.
Alan

[Bushbaby]

Hi John,
That's an excellent restore - well done.
Regards

Rob

[Yorkie]

Excellent result John!

To have restored an existing cabinet to that standard would have been praiseworthy, but to build it from start to finish, including the inset Pye Logo is really quite outstanding. Did you spray the cabinet with lacquer, and if so, was it an aerosol acrylic spray or someting else?

You mention the engraved lettering on the knobs and how best to re-do the lettering. Personally, I've always picked the old paint out carefully with a needle or pin, then I apply white modelling enamel paint, which comes in little tins, (you can get 'antique white' if you don't want it to look too 'new'), not worrying too much about getting the paint on the knob around the lettering. Then having left it to dry overnight, (as you appear to have done), I use a fine cotton cloth - an old handkerchief is ideal, lightly soaked in enamel thinners, and gently wipe off the surplus paint around the letters. It's best to do this a little at a time, so as to not risk softening the pint within the engraved letters. If the lettering is quite deep, it's best to give it two light coats, repeating the process, because if you 'flood' the lettering, the paint in the letters takes much longer to harden off, and you risk removing it when you wipe off the surplus paint around the letters.

In the UK, the two main brands of modelling paint sold are Humbrol and Revell.

Seeing your SSTRAN AM transmitter in use on youtube would raise a few eyebrows within EU countries, where such equipment is illegal, though perfectly legal in paranod America under FCC rules. The UK regulator (OFCOM) has taken action against one UK supplier of an AM micro-transmitter, who - as a condition of purchase - now requires buyers to agree that they will not use the equipment anywhere in Europe, except for RF experiments in an enclosed screen cabinet. (Yes, of course!). If Ofcom had a mind to, I guess it could take further enforcement action, but I don't think it's keeping them awake at night! Like when did they last get a complaint about intereference? (They didn't).

Finally, of course, it must be said that the prime purpose of a radio isn't just to look nice, but to sound nice - after all, that is its primary pupose in life! It fulfills that requirement magnificently!!

Really, your youtube clips deserve to attract a much lager audience.

What next? :D


David

[Geaney]

Thanks Guys,

David, the finish is just shellac - but instead of the traditional french polishing technique I used a technique I saw on YouTube first used by US furniture markers in the 19th century. The shellac is brushed on - four or five coats - and allowed to dry. It is then sanded with various grits until the desired level of finish is achieved. I used a similar approach to my last project where I didn't remove all of the scratches thus getting a nice finish but with some suggestion of age as well. The last project used water based lacquer - this one was shellac. The test will now be to see how this finish lasts over time.

Thanks for the tip re painting the knobs - I'll definitely give that a go.

Obviously I forgot to mention that my whole house is enclosed in a Faraday cage. In general the range of the transmitter just about gets to the other end of my place - the house has very thick walls. Unlike your average WIFI access point which will happily radiate up and down the street representing a major security weakness for those folks who don't bother to secure them properly.

When I have time I'll see about getting some more subscribers to my YT channel.
Cheers,
John

[Geaney]

Alan, re the 39J/H chassis - do you have the glass dial? That model looks to have more bands than any of the other PYE's I've seen.

The cab design doesn't look too daunting though.....

John