HMV 1200 motor tuned

[boater sam]

Just how many 880s or 1200s  are there around? I thought that they were quite rare. Any more members with them? I can't ask on Ukvrrr of course.

I have two 1200`s now Sam, one has had the cabinet veneer changed to a lighter species. Thats three in Cornwall.

They appear to be more popular and abundant than I imagined.  Ed's 2 will be north of the border presumably, 3 in Cornwall, and mine in Cheshire.
Any more?

[Mike Watterson]

Possibly because they were expensive / luxury they were less likely to be chucked out?

At the other end of spectrum huge numbers of Sky Queen and Lady Margaret models may have been dumped but there were so many and didn't take much space in the attic that many survive.

OTOH very few floor-standing radios and radiograms (pre-1960s and esp 1939-1942 models) survive because few sold in UK (compared to USA) and nowhere to store them (also compared to USA). Too big and awkward for UK attic hatches.

[steve102]

I have an HMV 1200 here in Derby.

[boater sam]

I have an HMV 1200 here in Derby.

Wow! Yet another.  Is yours to be restored or in a collection as it is Steve?

[steve102]

My set was working when I bought it a couple of years ago. The cabinet was in good original condition apart from a few scratches which I filled with wax. However, I didn't like the appearance of the previous restoration, i.e. replacement capacitors tacked into place, use of PVC insulated wires and replacement capacitor block electrolytics hot melted to the side of the chassis. I took the opportunity of restuffing the capacitors, making a reproduction capacitor block and replacing the PVC wire with appropriately coloured silicone rubber wire. I’ve attached pictures of the cabinet, and chassis before and after restoration.

[boater sam]

My set was working when I bought it a couple of years ago. The cabinet was in good original condition apart from a few scratches which I filled with wax. However, I didn't like the appearance of the previous restoration, i.e. replacement capacitors tacked into place, use of PVC insulated wires and replacement capacitor block electrolytics hot melted to the side of the chassis. I took the opportunity of restuffing the capacitors, making a reproduction capacitor block and replacing the PVC wire with appropriately coloured silicone rubber wire. I’ve attached pictures of the cabinet, and chassis before and after restoration.

That is in better condition than mine. Even shiney.  You have done well to replace the capacitors with period looking replacements, I assume the yellow ones are inside.
I cannot understand why more restorers do not restuff the aluminium cans, it looks so much better.

From being thought rare it seems these sets are quite popular and this thread is attracting a lot of responses too.  Perhaps there are even more  HMV 1200s and Marconiphone 880s out there waiting to surface.

Sam.

[steve102]

I appreciate the subject of restuffing capacitors is somewhat controversial but my own view is that yellow capacitors look out of place in pre-war sets and it’s worth the effort to keep the appearance as close as possible to the original.

I re-used the yellow capacitors and placed then in new tubes which I rolled from brown paper. The aluminium can containing 4 electrolytic capacitors was missing from mine so I made up a replacement using the casing from a spare capacitor.

It might be useful to share the serial numbers of our sets to estimate production numbers. My HMV 1200 serial number is E/3 1145.

[boater sam]

I appreciate the subject of restuffing capacitors is somewhat controversial but my own view is that yellow capacitors look out of place in pre-war sets and it’s worth the effort to keep the appearance as close as possible to the original.

I re-used the yellow capacitors and placed then in new tubes which I rolled from brown paper. The aluminium can containing 4 electrolytic capacitors was missing from mine so I made up a replacement using the casing from a spare capacitor.

It might be useful to share the serial numbers of our sets to estimate production numbers. My HMV 1200 serial number is E/3 1145.

Yes, it would be good to establish production dates and numbers. Unfortunately due to the recent move mine is buried under a pile of round tuits at present but I will find it.

I used to save old wax capacitors to use restuffed when the originals were missing but they had to go when we moved, I will start collecting again.
You did a good job with the brown paper.  I have a couple of sets to restore with the glass tubed capacitors, not worked out a system for 
re-stuffing them that preserves the labels inside yet.

[steve102]

I normally keep a few waxies for re-stuffing but I didn't have any of the EMI types when I restored my HMV 1200.
I've not come across any glass tubed capacitors. Perhaps you could print a label and roll it into a tube to fit inside?