Next Additions to My Collection

[Geaney]

Bound to happen eventually - me finding some Swiss radios that is. I picked up these two yesterday. The upright is a TELL made by Paillard - mid 30's, tho other one is a Minerva 452 - not too much info on this one yet but probably 1950's. The rectifier and audio output vales are gone from the TELL so hopefully I'll be able to find replacements.

It will be ages before I finish the Radialva so it will be a while before these get sorted out.

Cheers, John

[ed731pdh]

1000 years of brotherly love, and something that is not a cuckoo clock.

[Radio Fixer]

Look in pretty good shape. No Swiss radios in my collection (Brit, French, German, US, Aus, NZ, and Canada so far) so you are one up on me there.

Gary

[Geaney]

1000 years of brotherly love, and something that is not a cuckoo clock.

One thing I learned over here is that most Swiss get seriously upset if you associate cuckoo clocks with Switzerland - they are adamant that cuckoo clocks are Bavarian, not Swiss. Sure enough I've never seen one over here except in the tourist shops. I wonder how the link got established in the first place?

Cheers, John

[Geaney]

I found a circuit diagram for the Minerva so I have something to start with at least. I gave it a good clean up and the chassis is built like a tank - and weighs a ton. Alas the cabinet is not built to take such a weighty chassis so I found it was coming apart along multiple joints. I've glued it up so I can put the chassis back in. The speaker baffle was also coming adrift - the speaker is too heavy for the soft wood that it screws into. For now I'm just trying to get it to a point where it won't deteriorate if left on my to-do shelf for a while.

One of the common features on both sets is that all the knobs are turned wood, not bakelite.

Cheers, John

[ed731pdh]

Probably the fault of Orson Welles in "The Third Man"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XQ2tPrBA1k

[Radio Fixer]

Johm, IMHO its always best to leave a set as you acquired it until you are ready to seriously work on it. The only exception to this is ones that have worm damage, I normally do something about those ... squirt the holes and paint the inside and bag up for a while.

You may find that you didnt do as good a job gluing up the Minerva as you might later, more inspired, no other sets on the go etc. That of the two is the best looker to me.

Nice clip Ed. Great author, film and Orson a superb totally believable actor.

Gary

[Geaney]

Hi Gary, in my case I enjoy the woodwork just as much as the electronics so I give it my full attention. The cab is now structurally sound once more and looks great. I'll confess though that I think it would look nicer with a darker tone so I may change that when it comes to re-finishing the cab.
Cheers, John

[Radio Fixer]

Oh! no! Dont mess with it John ... the light finish is really nice and generally fits better with modern homes.

Gary

[AlanBeckett]

I agree. I find the lighter tone much more attractive.

Alan