I have a HMV on the bench at the moment, that has the Number damaged.

It appears to be 886? The construction within the chassis is similar to the 1940 661 in that the greater proportion of components are on a series of tag boards arranged in a similar manner.

The 661 had the filter caps on the speaker: This does not as it is a wood table top, not a console. However, the circuit is pretty much that of an 880. The speaker in it Has no indication of it’s impedance , but is stamped on the bobbin 1948. OP Transformer is D1502E.

I would if possible like to confirm the impedance of the Field Bobbin and if that Model existed?

The set is pretty much now repaired. Wire is rubber and it is A HMV branded speaker. What sets this model apart is the speaker socket is an octal and the paint marks and a couple of diagrams, tell me that, that is original.

Marc.

The photo below is my HMV 886. It was my second radio purchase ($15) after becoming a collector and my first restoration of a timber cabinet, though back then the radio worked fine so I never delved into restoration of the chassis - something considered mandatory now.

I also have the smaller version of this radio - same cabinet style and same chassis but fitted with a 150mm speaker instead of 200mm as per the 886. I am unsure of the model number for the smaller one as it has rubbed off the paper label.

I also have a bakelite tombstone version, with the chassis labelled "99". Pretty much the same chassis as the other two though it runs on A and B batteries.

All of the above have the speaker as a plug-in. Unless another member can beat me to the draw I will get this radio out over the weekend and have a looksee at the markings on the speaker label. It is currently behind a pile of camping gear in the garage.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Brad

This one has no paper label. It is stencilled on the left side.

Dial is pretty much what it has with what looks like D1946 as the part number (lower right).

Do be aware that the panel in the top above the valves is Asbestos, so do beware of any white flakes, when disturbing things.

Coat it with a binder & wear a decent respirator.

Marc

Do be aware that the panel in the top above the valves is Asbestos, so do beware of any white flakes, when disturbing things.

Yeah, I got rid of that muck back when I did the restoration. My smaller one still has its heatshield but it remains unrestored. It's safe enough whilst not being knocked around.

Asbestos is an occupational hazard for me. As an electrician I tend to find it where-ever I go and the usual precautions have to be taken. It's hard to believe they were still putting crocidolite (blue asbestos) in brake shoes and pads up until 2003 and this is the deadliest type because of the size and shape of the fibres.

For those who are curious and want to get rid of asbestos from an old radio, dampen the asbestos until the moisture has penetrated it. Aquadhere-type binders will do the job until you remove the sheet but then only the underside is coated. Take the radio to a well ventilated area. Put on a disposable face mask. Carefully remove the asbestos with a paint scraper. After 50+ years and being wetted it is likely to come off easily. Double-bag it and take it to a tip that accepts asbestos, fibro, brake linings and similar products. Throwing it in with household waste is illegal in all states and territories.

Also for the curious, HMV weren't the only ones that used asbestos in radios. AWA Radiolettes and AGE Bandmasters from the mid 1930s had an asbestos heatshield between the rectifier valve and a chassis-mount condenser.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Photo sent for info, if you wish to post,or others wish to see.

Blowing out brake drums. on cars, using compressed air is also, never a good idea. You will breath it in.

Marc.

881 is the smaller brother to 886, nearly identical cct, font on glass is vertical rather than Hori, 881 may need the heatshield with the lower profile case & less breathing room, I sealed mine with high temp paint (VHT) & affixed an asbestos warning label for any future fiddlers...
886 c1947 & 881 c1941..not sure how long they produced the models for though.
Regards Paul

As I removed the speaker. Grill cloth, cabinet as it all needs work.

I got a better look at things. stamp is actually 2nd Sep 1946 and it had, under a layer of deadly dust, 1500 ohms on the wrap.

Interesting as the 880 circuit says 2000, so a large piece of cement may need to be added?

This is now what needs clearing up as the transformer may be different.

I have now repaired a few of this era & this one is similar to 661 in the number of resistors, that have failed.

Anyone repairing one of this series, should not just change caps. Check every resistor, or else it might not run.

Marc

The dial for this model HMV I will be reproducing in the next few weeks, its in the line to be done - hard to find now they were a good set this model !

steve

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Steve.

Looks like you spotted the crack in my dial Steve.

Gimmie a yell once you have some in stock.

There were a few variations with this model, apart from what I mentioned before. There is a three-knob version and some models have a vernier mechanism on the tuning for fine-tuning purposes.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

The dial on this one has lost a couple of bits but, I will inform the owner of it that it can be replaced.

I have a Peter Pan "Adventurer" waining for it's owner to get his backside into gear & retrieve it. This also needs a new dial as it is broken in two places & will let in dust etc. Other damage has been done by someone using clear tape on the cracks.

It's quite a good performer (On batteries at the moment).

HMV tended to build sets properly. The interesting obsevation is that they and the European Heathkits that I have dealt with, seem to have a particularly high resistor attrition rate.

The Heathkit CRO I have has had to have every resitor & cap replaced and I have an IT-22 Cap tester that came in a couple of weeks ago... not one good resistor?

They seem to come in batches from a date. Eg. every radio from one year, that use this brand of resitor, is trouble.

Marc

One step forward another back.

I had a look at a HMV that a collector has, chassis is virtually identical but it has a permag speaker with a choke & transformer on it and is labelled 887.

The choke appears to be open & the rubber wiring on the speaker is finished. Pain as I know who will end up fixing it.

Marc