Repairing and Restoring Tube Radios - part 9 - FINAL

This is for the electronics geeks out there. I am repairing and restoring an old Marconi model 220 tube radio and I thought I would make kind of a do-it-yourself documentary to share my little hobby with everyone. In part 9 we clean and restore the cabinet, put the radio back together and have a look at our accomplishment!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• marconi

[broot4u]

I have for YEARS wanted to pick up an old love and restore old electronics. But I honestly thought I'd never have access to what I needed. Now I can fix up a console stereo or two, or maybe get brave enuff to make a stab at a tombstone radio. Thank you much for this. I heard the Sens on the radio. U in Ottawa bud? BTW.. your kids did a bangup job as Dad's helpers. Cheerz, and thanks, I've bookmarked this for future reference. Dave.

[aliendaddy32]

Yup, we're in Kanata. I studied computer engineering, so analog electronics isn't my expertise at all. I have corresponded with experienced radio techs and read the stuff they write online and it all seems very intimidating! Recapping is the bravest I've got so far. Thanks for the comments and good luck!

[jakdedert]

Hi Mike, nice to see bring this old relic back to life, and involve your kids in the process. The radio is now something your wife will let into your living room

That said, these old radios used lacquer finishes. Applying urethane is not much easier than applying an authentic finish, and will be much easier for future restorers (60 years from now?) to work with. I'd suggest you explore the possibility for your next project.

Still, great job, great video. Thanks for sharing.

[aliendaddy32]

Oh, you mean on the veneer I added on top? I didn't know that, good point. Thanks for the tip.

[jaraff]

Mike, Thanks for doing this series I have been restoring old radios electrically for around 15 years but I was always too unsure about dealing with the cabinets specifically the vernier, since watching your project I'm going to give it a go... Thanks!!!!!!!

[aliendaddy32]

Excellent! BTW, this is the first time I ever did anything like this... I looked up veneer online and then gave it a go. Thanks for the comments.

[GnosisMan50]

Dear aliendaddy32,

You are not only a great repairman/filmmaker but a great dad too with a lot of patience!! Your kids are so well behaved, curious, and so willing to help. They have a great dad!!

[KF7HDJ]

These videos are a big help I might try to restore my st regis international and thanks for making all of the videos.

73's Jonathon KF7HDJ

[BeJ95]

What did the magic eye show you? Tuning status?

[416asshole]

Wow, I just watched all the episodes tonight, very interesting to see how the old tube radios work. The start and ending in the old radio shows in B&W are priceless. Thanks!

[nick0stanton]

Just sat down and watched all 9 episodes back-to-back. Great job, particularly with your boys helping. Thought the light-bulb safety trick was really useful too.

Nick in England

[steeljan]

Very nice job. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[truckpipe]

What a fantastic job and fantatic helpers! I am kind of jealous, wish I had a great old radio like this one. Maybe someday, then I'll have to come back here and rewatch this series! Thanks for posting them.

[apaulanarius]

Great videos and well done restore. I have an old Grundig from the fifties that my Aunt gave me when I was a teen. After watching these videos, my interest in that old radio has come back and I think I will make it my next winters project. Thanks again.

[yogi540]

Enjoyed these videos Mike sure turned out nice at the end. I was surprised that the antenna was just a short piece of wire rather than maybe a ferrite rod set up. regards from Ireland. (btw was the sports station CFGO 1200? I have heard it here many times - my hobby is picking up distant stuff)

[hydrolisk1792]

Wonderful job on that!!

[cliverkay]

The only fault I found is when you are working on the chassis and you have plugged the radio in and switched it on with the rectifier connected . You should when later working on it to dump the caps as they can hold a charge for quite a while ...and No fingers inside till you do !!

[rockabillycat1954]

That's a fine radio to be proud of, you and your boys did a great job. hope to see more projects.