Posted 7 years ago
danwalker
(86 items)
I bought this radio locally and it had not been turned on for a few years.
I don't know the exact year but I suspect about 1936/37
I replaced all the capacitors, checked the tubes , straightened the grill cloth, and installed a new eye tube.
The cabinet was in good condition, so I cleaned it with gojo hand cleaner. I had to make a cover for the dial and I used a special plastic that melts to form when heated. I did form a new dial lens and now the radio plays very good and looks like new. These Marconi radios are something else with a lot of very good style.
It is a keeper
Absolutely beautiful! Does it only receive AM now? Can you still get police & shortwave? Please fill me in on using Gojo hand cleaner on wood!
The cabinet is a work of art!
Thanks for the comment.
The radio receives AM, ,and short wave. there is nothing broadcast on the Police
band any more. For short wave it is better to have a long outside antenna and the best reception is late at night. Many times I listen to Havana and I live in Calgary Alberta, Canada
There was a phone jack installed in the radio a long time ago, so you could plug in a phono and use the radio amplifier to hear your records.
There is also a switch on the back to change it from RADIO to PHONO .
I made an adaptor that you can plug in your MP3 or Ipod into and then a plug from the adaptor to the radio , so I can hear my own music through the radio.
You get a much better sound through a tube amplifier than you do with transistors, so it sound real good , just like a juke box.
Now as far as the go jo is concerned, you can get it at most any automotive parts place or hardware store. you must get the creamy kind ''WITHOUT the grit as the grit will scratch the surface of the cabinet.
Just take a rag and rub down the cabinet using a good bit of energy. you will see all the nicotine and grim from all the past years come off on the cloth. Keep doing this until the rag is not dirty with each wipe. Then wipe it down with a damp rag.
After it is dry I use a product called'' Trade Secret''. I buy it at Home Depot, and you can possibly get it at Walmart. [I have not googled it yet]
It is a scratch cover better than Old English.
Wear rubber gloves , only because it will stain. make sure you don't get any on the grill cloth as it won't come off.
I usually take the grill cloth off because I am working on the radio chassis anyway.
There is usually a board with the grill cloth glued to it attached to the cabinet with screws[from the inside]
Just wipe the whole cabinet down with the Trade Secret and leave it on for maybe 20 minutes. Then wipe the cabinet with a clean cloth and NOW
you will se the difference. it will really look good. I hope this has helped you because it sound like you are doing some sort of furniture.
Good Luck Dan
Awesome job:)