Bush, Model AC31, Vintage Radio Restoration, Part 4

[@roughchippy]

Hi Phil, really enjoyed your latest repair series, I can definitely relate to the late, or should I say, early hours radio repairing keeps u up 'til ! Regards the cabinets, I use Tableau Scratch Cover, in light, medium and dark, off ebay, brilliant stuff, gets rid of anything other than serious dings, and then like yourself polish up the day after with a silicone free wax spray polish.... Its always good to get to that stage 👍 Take care and look forward to the next one 📻

[@steelcity321pb6]

roughchippy Thank you for the tip about Tableau Scratch Cover: I’ll give that product further investigation. The little I know about cabinet restoration is what I’ve picked up over many years, and what I see on You Tube. Though I’m constantly having to find solutions to my cock-ups when restoring cabinets, I find woodwork therapeutic. I’ happy you enjoyed seeing this Bush radio restoration series - audio and television servicing was my game for almost 36 years: we are all suited to our calling. My next video repair series will hopefully be uploaded sometime during late January. Look forward to hearing from you then. Seasons greetings to you and your folks, Phil.

[@tommybewick]

Sounds great Phil 👍. Another excellent restoration. I really enjoyed your detailed description of the circuit on the previous video.

[@steelcity321pb6]

K2bew Thank you my friend. I was in two minds about doing a circuit analysis: that sort of thing is not everyone’s pot of tea. Having decided to scale it down - that is restrict it to less than forty minutes: hopefully I would minimise sending viewers to sleep LOL. Regards, Phil.

[@Rebel9668]

Hey Phil, That radio turned out beautiful and performs very well! Congratulations :) I've got two waxes to polish with here, plain old Johnson's wax and a dark tinted Briwax. I used the Briwax as the main finish on my old 33 Philco on the bare wood without applying any lacquer at all and it turned out beautifully. I did once get a sweat ring on it from a tumbler glass that was left upon it, but since it didn't have and lacquer or varnish on it I guess the wax allowed it to breathe and the ring disappeared a couple of days later :) Take care, Gary

[@steelcity321pb6]

Rebel9668 Gary mi ol’ son, lovely to hear from y’ (as we say here in Yorkshire LOL). Briwax is very good polish, though Johnson’s wax is perfectly okay. Since the Bush radio cabinet was in reasonably decent condition, I decided to use the Silk Wood, and reserve the Briwax for cabinets thar require a fair amount of TLC. Knowing you my friend, I imagine your Philco 33, which incidentally are a sharp looking radio, looked, and looks superb after you had given it the finishing treatment. it has now come to that time when we see Gary get out the multi- meter, soldering iron, and any other bench equipment he has to hand, dust them down, and select a radio that is shouting out to be restored ...any chance that might happen some time not too far away Gary??? There are plenty of us lads with loads of electronics knowledge, and experience standing by in the wings ready to be of assistance should you require any - just a thought my friend. Cheers dear chap, Phil.

[@Rebel9668]

@@steelcity321pb6 Thanks Phil! I do really need to get back to my RCA K80, and I may try to this winter. When Spring arrives I'm going to attempt a restoration on a turntable...a hand crank Brunswick phonograph console from 1917. It needs a refinish and to have the spring drums dis-assembled and cleaned out of the 100+ year old grease which has turned into veritable cement. The player does work now as it is, but the springs make slipping and popping noises from having to unwind in that old grease. I'm sure the diaphragm on the pickup head could also use a new gasket and the volume control rod appears to be missing. If it isn't inside the console itself somewhere I may attempt to either make one or find a used one as right now it only has one volume...(loud) The rod attached to a wad of wool called a sock that when pushed in went inside the rear of the wooden horn to muffle the sound. I believe this is where the phrase "Put a sock in it" came from :) Take care, Gary

[@steelcity321pb6]

Rebel9668 Gary, I’ll be looking forward to seeing you tackle the wind-up record deck. They look straightforward but I’m sure there will be certain setting up procedures required to get them running correctly. Yes: it sounds like a good project my friend. Phil.

[@helioshaul3924]

Fine Job there Phil.

[@steelcity321pb6]

Very encouraging: thank you. Phil

[@rciancia]

Phil - What a wonderful job you've done on this radio. That chassis looks brand new... well done Mate !!!! I don't suppose you can get any Radio London on there and some songs by The Who or maybe the Squadronaires with Cliff Townshend ? :P Well done my friend.

[@steelcity321pb6]

Hi Ron, This 1953 Bush radio repair turned out reasonably well. At the ‘top’, or the ‘most desirable’ of the British mass produced radio and television market was Bush, and Murphy. Two makes to keep an eye on if you decide to own, and/or restore a British manufactured radio brand - along with Pye, Ecko, GEC, HMV Marconi, KB, Ferguson, Ultra, etc. There are very few American Vintage Radio men who have restored British manufactured radios via KZbin. Being a Brit who has recently repaired an American AA5 radio, seeing you getting stuck into a British radio is just another crazy idea of mine LOL. I’ve yet to listen to music produced by the Squadronaires - I’ll make it my business to give them some listening time after posting this response. There is one brilliant guitarist I’ll recommend to you my friend: a cool looking chap by the name of Justin Johnson. Check him out on KZbin. Three videos of his that stand out for me are are ‘Loose Change’, ‘New Orleans Heavy Swamp Blues’, and ‘Marines Hymn’. Having listened to these three tracks, I’m sure you will agree with me when I say this chap is truly talented. He’s definitely up there with Hendrix, Richards, and Roy Buchanan. Cheers my friend, Phil.

[@rciancia]

@@steelcity321pb6 very cool my friend. Here is a link to the Squadronires, who has a Sax player by the name of Cliff Townshend, Pete Townshend's father. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6DWhGecaKeCa7M I will listen to Justin Johnson now myself. Cheers

[@rayfirth4458]

Hi Phil just found you again,Thankyou for sending me that diagram for the GEC tuning chord anyway last time we spoke i was waiting for second surgery on my leg and ankle but it ended up being second and third surgery so i lost all the summer months in the end and it is still no good for purpose lol. anyway nice to find your channel again hope to hear from you soon.