17-05-2012, 07:51 PM
With a model name sounding like a jet fighter this set was built more like a battleship. The second of two sets from Dennis, this one was in slightly better condition than the aforementioned Bush, but not that much. The valves were popped on the tester and although tired still had some punch in them so this made the set a good contender to be saved.
Starting with the case, the lacquer used had crazed with large lumps just peeling off. Lots of scratching around the knobs, all four knobs were broken, rubber feet were perished. The back was warped but intact, a few weeks under the mattress removed most of the bends. With the interior removed the cabinet was stripped right back, the majority of marks sanded out and after staining several coats of varnish were applied. New felt feet fitted, the glass cleaned of scunge and fluff, new fabric for the speaker cover as the old stuff just fell apart in my hands (as expected) due to rot and years of ciggy smoke. The damaged knobs were repaired using two part epoxy cement.
Looking at the chassis, no issues other than dirt and the replacement of a number of caps that were past redemption. Main smoothing caps were recovered, both dial lamps dead and blackened. The tuning cord had gone poof sometime in the past with a temp replacement found in place that was no better than a limp washing line. A replacement using polycord restored full tuning operation along with a dab of oil in critical areas to remove squeaks when the tuning was operated.
In operation, a decent clean set, brings in most of the far stations on a long wire, SW is pretty sharp and tidy whilst MW/LW performance is good provided I keep the computer away from the set.
Starting with the case, the lacquer used had crazed with large lumps just peeling off. Lots of scratching around the knobs, all four knobs were broken, rubber feet were perished. The back was warped but intact, a few weeks under the mattress removed most of the bends. With the interior removed the cabinet was stripped right back, the majority of marks sanded out and after staining several coats of varnish were applied. New felt feet fitted, the glass cleaned of scunge and fluff, new fabric for the speaker cover as the old stuff just fell apart in my hands (as expected) due to rot and years of ciggy smoke. The damaged knobs were repaired using two part epoxy cement.
Looking at the chassis, no issues other than dirt and the replacement of a number of caps that were past redemption. Main smoothing caps were recovered, both dial lamps dead and blackened. The tuning cord had gone poof sometime in the past with a temp replacement found in place that was no better than a limp washing line. A replacement using polycord restored full tuning operation along with a dab of oil in critical areas to remove squeaks when the tuning was operated.
In operation, a decent clean set, brings in most of the far stations on a long wire, SW is pretty sharp and tidy whilst MW/LW performance is good provided I keep the computer away from the set.
