Hello again from Jimb.

I have an early STC , not sure of model it is similar to a 54 except the RF / Converter is a 2A7. It is about 1933 vintage.

The 5 inch electrodynamic speaker is pretty crook. I pieced the cone together with silastic however it poles due to the centre spider fingers being broken. The fingers are glued to the cone and the other end of the fingers are clamped under a central screw and nut, the whole speaker is very fragile. Is there a way I can repair this ? I know I could fit a later speaker and substitute the choke. However it is the only example I have of a radio of this peripiod (pre octal,base valves) and I would like to retain the field coil type speaker.

I shelved this radio for a long period but now I have renewed interest in the hobby. Another reason I shelved it was the cabinet is all delaminated not only the veneer, the ply as well, bits missing not sure why I am bothering I pulled the front off the cabinet some time ago and attempted to make another however I could not. There is a recess all around to fit into the rest of the box section and I did not have the tools or skill to make this recess If I stuck a smaller section behind the front bit to create the recess effect it is too thick. So even if I fix the speaker I still do not have a Cabinet as yet. I still have the front I need to come up with another approach to the problem.
Regards.
Jimb

Hi JimB, re the speaker have a look at my approaches to speaker repair in 3 projects I have posted in the special projects forum, the Kriesler set and the two Operatics. My approach was to use rubber cement in various strengths to "fill in" missing fragile sections of cone together with bits of tissue paper and the suspension as well. The rubber cement is a water mix type that can be thinned to apply in coats or dropped right on as a cement. I don't have a suppliers name as it came in bulk with no name from a Chinese speaker supplier as the "do all" repair medium. Its the sort that goes on white but drys clear.

Re the woodwork, I know nothing about wood but take a look at my approach to making a consol cabinet for my "vogue" radio with Bunnings wood. The cabinet makers in this forum will be retching but have no fear what can you lose? See the article 'restoring a Vogue console radio (by fred lever) in the articles and tutorials section at the rhs of the home page. I noted my local Bunnings even had veneer stuff so why not just make up a while new cabinet and veneer it?

Its only limited by imagination, I made up a ART DECO "empire state" shape cabinet for a project in one of my earlier postings in special projects and sprayed it with water base black gloss, how cool is that? Have a trawl through all of my offerings in the special projects section where I have fiddled about making or re building things. As I don't have a clue about radios I just go ahead and make something up that looks right and probably make more experts retch but hell that's the fun of it all.

Cheers, Fred.

Hello Fred.
Thanks for your reply I have been away and have been busy. Sorry I had not replied.
I checked out your radio you did a great job. I am not sure my level of enthusiasm has reached the same level. I have a few unfinished projects. I might start some that require less work and build up from there. If the speaker was ok I would feel more like getting stuck into it. Can't justify spending money on it . The main reason I am still contemplating doing anything with it is that it is the oldest radio I have and I would like a radio from this era with the pre- octal based valves.
Regards.
Jimb.