Hi All,

I'm brand new to vintage radio courtesy of a newly acquired Kriesler 11-95 Stereogram.

I have next to no knowledge about this machine and was wondering if anyone could tell me what years these were made and any other info?

Photos:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_dzAYg6Y0p0o/.../Kriesler%20Stereogram.JPG.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_dzAYg6Y0p0o/.../turntable.JPG.



I haven't powered it up yet. From what I understand the amplifier is hopefully ok, the AM tuner "wire" is not being pulled when the tuner knob is turned. Not sure about the turntable yet.

Thanks!

Mechanically, the two problems you identified about this set are fairly commonplace. The dial cord will require one or more of three things:-

1. Tightening.
2. Cleaning.
3. Replacement.

Dial cord must be of a woven type so that a grip can be maintained on the pulleys and it needs to be as close as possible to the guage of the original. The tensioning spring on the large pulley needs to pull the cord fairly tight. If this spring has annealled (lost its elasticity) or stretched then it will need to be replaced. Jaycar sells small bags of assorted size springs fairly cheaply.

The turntable's motor will likely still work. the motors in these things were fairly tough. The bushed bearings may need cleaning and a squirt of silicon spray. What will be challenging is to get replacement rubbers for the idler pulley. Once you could just pinch one from a bag of rubber bands for video cassette recorders and just make it fit however as video cassette recorders have just about left the radar screen these invaluable spare parts are now hard to get.

You may have some luck if you live close to a TV repairman or have a relative who was once in this line of work. Again - these people are leaving the field fast as plasma and LCD televisions are more often only serviceable by their manufacturers - a way of making sure your telly throws a part worth two bob and you go out and buy a new set instead of repairing the existing one.

Hi Radiobob,

That's a nice looking unit and IMO well worth restoring. Seems from the photo that the case is in very good condition. I'm guessing it was made in the late 50s or early 60s.

Most would encourage you not to power it up until you have gone over the chassis looking for problems in the form of shorts, etc. I don't have the circuit schematic for the 11-95 but someone here may.

Garrad turntables were very common, so if you can't clean that one up and get it going then I'm pretty sure you'll pick one up fairly easily on eBay or at garage sales, etc, if you keep your eye out.

Brad's point about the idler wheel is a good one. Here's a guy in the USA who refurbishes them on a swap or repair basis:

http://www.kenselectronics.com/lists/phonodrive.htm.

It's been said that there's nothing more likely to make a strong man weep than trying to restring certain types of radio dial, so I hope yours is one of the easier ones. If you do need to restring it, I suggest you take plenty of in focus close up photos before removing the old cord.

G'day,

If you can unhide your email address in your profile page, I'll send you the dial cord restringing chart along with the circuit diagram and chassis layout.

These maybe useful in restoring your radiogram.

Date of manufacture is 1962.

Cheers, Graham...


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Thanks for all the info guys. Yeah I wasn't planning on powering it up until I gave it a good checking over (and only touch what I really need to). History would suggest that going nuts and cleaning everything in site will likely result in something breaking. Sometimes some dust can help keep things reliable.

Had a look in the back and everything already looks pretty clean. For the tuner cord I'll take a softy softly approach and see if I can adjust, and take a million photos prior.

I grew up in the cassette tape era and only just caught the end of the vinyl stage as a child so I'm not that familiar with these machines, but I'm very keen to learn. Luckily, I love the music of 60s and 70s, AM radio, and listening to music as it was supposed to be heard when it was first released.

Graham, my email should be in my profile now. If you could send me that info it'd be great.


Thanks.

G'day Bob,

Check your inbox.

Cheers, Graham...


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Thanks Graham. Greatly appreciated.

You'll be happy to know that the tuner cord is back in operation. Turns out that the tuner itself? (the pully part that moves those blades between each other) was a bit tight causing the cord to slip. I turned the wheel by hand and noticed is started to loosen. A few dabs of lube and it and all is well.

Also, removed the turntable. Everything looks brand new. The Intermediate Wheel rubber is still quite soft which I was happy about. Will clean it up and look at getting a new needle/stylus. The manual says it's a Sonotone 9TA cartridge so I guess I'm looking for 9TA SD equivalent. I've seen 9TA needles but all I find are sapphire, the original manual states diamond. Not sure if it makes much difference.