UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > General Vintage Technology > Success Stories

Notices

Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 27th Nov 2005, 3:14 pm   #1
Paul Stenning
Administrator
 
Paul Stenning's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,057
Default What is a Success Story?

I have had a few PMs regarding what belongs in this section, so to clarify:

A "Success Story" thread should be one containing some details of the work done. Rather like the Recent Repairs on my website or the repair/restoration articles in the magazines, but not necessarily that long. It helps if there is something interesting or unusual about the repair, but that is not essential. What is needed is some detail though, to give others confidence in tackling repairs themselves.

It is for repairs/restorations that are finished. If only part of the job is done, it is not yet a success story. Obviously you as the restorer decide when it is finished, as it is your set. You don't have to do things just because others would.

Success stories should not be asking for further information or need further discussion - although that sometimes results anyway. So if you have questions about parts of the repair, ask them elsewhere first.
__________________

Paul Stenning
Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster
Paul Stenning is online now  
Old 8th Nov 2007, 10:13 pm   #2
Paul Stenning
Administrator
 
Paul Stenning's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,057
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Following the forum rearranging this section is no longer just for vintage radios. So we welcome and indeed would like to see restoration reports on other vintage equipment such as tellies, tape recorders, audio and hi-fi equipment, amateur and military radio, telephones etc.

Success Stories can inspire others to tackle something they may otherwise not consider, so what better way to encourage other members to be interested in the type of equipment that interests you than to post a success story about one or more of your restorations.
__________________

Paul Stenning
Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster
Paul Stenning is online now  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 2:43 pm   #3
Chris Parry
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 237
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

This section appears to be used only for >restoration< success stories. How about stories of radios that are more suitable for conservation than restoration? Where should they go? My view is that radio conservation goes under-reported. Many people in the future will wonder at all the radios with restuffed capacitors and revarnished cabinets, showing only how repair work was performed in the early 21st century. I wonder how to report that far rarer thing, ORIGINALITY? Chris.
Chris Parry is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 3:12 pm   #4
Darren-UK
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 4,061
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Well, to me a success story is one detailing the successful repair or restoration of a piece of equipment - as indeed outlined in the section description.

Conservation is an entirely different thing. The Mary Rose was conserved when her remains were raised from the seabed, she wasn't restored or repaired.

I know one or two members have deliberately retained the odd radio in 'as found' condition but quite how you'd make such a thing into an SS thread is hard to imagine.

These are my own personal views and as such don't reflect any forum policy and may or may not reflect the views of other moderators.
Darren-UK is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 3:27 pm   #5
ThePillenwerfer
Octode
 
ThePillenwerfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,453
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

How do you 'Conserve' a radio beyond storing it in a safe environment?

I'm not criticising anybody but what is there to say about such an approach?

To my mind success is achieving what you set out to do, be it repair, restoration, modification or conservation.

Certainly food for thought.

- Joe
ThePillenwerfer is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 3:34 pm   #6
Alistair D
Nonode
 
Alistair D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 2,008
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Since conserved sets do not really need a write up what about a photo gallery? I have seen these on other forums.

Al
__________________
I won't tell you how I discovered that.
Alistair D is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 4:07 pm   #7
Chris Parry
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 237
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

I contend that some conserved sets do deserve a little write-up. Many of them show unmistakable signs of years hard use in difficult circumstances. I don't see where to post that sort of content onto this site. Here's an example: I have a Chinese radio made in about 1952. It's a very boring and ordinary bakelite AM broadcast radio, in what we would normally call "poor, non-operational and unrestored" condition. It's interesting because of the circumstances of the times, because of its survival in a hostile climate over several decades, and because it still has many original components. Of course I could butcher it by fitting lots of new capacitors, polishing the cabinet to a non-original extent and fitting a set of nice shiny new valves. That may result in an entry that could be accepted into the "Success Story" section of this website. But where's the sense in doing that? This radio is far better left exactly as it is - rust and all. Chris.
Chris Parry is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 4:28 pm   #8
ThePillenwerfer
Octode
 
ThePillenwerfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,453
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

I'm not suggesting that they don't deserve a write-up, far from it, just that the act of conservation is by its very nature not about what you do to them but what you don't.

It's not my place to say but I would have thought that the appropriate bit of the Specific Vintage Equipment section would be the place.

Frankly I admire you for having the self-control to leave things alone.

- Joe
ThePillenwerfer is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 4:37 pm   #9
Radio_Dave
Nonode
 
Radio_Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 2,543
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Sorry Chris, Please don't take offence, but what do you expect to talk about on a "Repair and Restoration forum"?

A non working, wreck of a radio is just one step away from the dump. IMHO restoring a radio to full working order, with an acceptable appearance is the best way ensure it's survival

David
Radio_Dave is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 5:23 pm   #10
Alistair D
Nonode
 
Alistair D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 2,008
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

I think that part of the problem here is in the definition of conservation and the grey area between that and restoration.

The simplest level of conservation would be taking a radio from the floor and putting it on a shelf to ensure no damage occurs. Not a lot to write up here.

The next level of conservation could possibly cleaning an polishing. Still not a lot to write up.

After that comes the need to take restorative measures, woodworm treatment, gluing the case back together etc. Personally I still do not think that warrants writing about. For me, I am only interested in reading about projects that bring a set back to working order.

Al
__________________
I won't tell you how I discovered that.
Alistair D is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 5:38 pm   #11
Robert Darwent
Heptode
 
Robert Darwent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alistair D View Post
Since conserved sets do not really need a write up what about a photo gallery? I have seen these on other forums.
Don't know if you're aware Alistair, but the forum does have photo albums under the 'Community' heading and on each members profile page.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePillenwerfer View Post
To my mind success is achieving what you set out to do, be it repair, restoration, modification or conservation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePillenwerfer View Post
I would have thought that the appropriate bit of the Specific Vintage Equipment section would be the place.
I agree with Joe's two comments there, if you want to conserve rather than restore then simply post with a description and images under Specific Vintage Equipment.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radio_Dave View Post
...but what do you expect to talk about on a "Repair and Restoration forum"?
I also agree with Dave's comment. Repair and restoration is the primary reason for the forum and related discussions regarding such activities. I've no problem with conservation however, but it shouldn't be given a dedicated section IMHO.

Regards
__________________

Robert G0UHF
www.wavesintheair.co.uk
Robert Darwent is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 7:33 pm   #12
Chris Parry
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 237
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Looks like the best place for my projected post would be the VINTAGE RADIO (DOMESTIC) section, so that's where I will post it as and when.

Chris.
Chris Parry is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 8:42 pm   #13
GrimJosef
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,309
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Having recently seen the remarkable Chinese radio, and a good deal of Chris's other impressive kit, I'll look forward to that !

Cheers,

GJ
GrimJosef is online now  
Old 10th Mar 2012, 11:06 pm   #14
Robert Darwent
Heptode
 
Robert Darwent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Parry View Post
Looks like the best place for my projected post would be the VINTAGE RADIO (DOMESTIC) section, so that's where I will post it as and when.
I'll look forward to seeing your thread too Chris. I've never seen a Chinese bakelite radio before, sounds very interesting.

Regards
__________________

Robert G0UHF
www.wavesintheair.co.uk
Robert Darwent is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2012, 7:16 pm   #15
Skywave
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Arrow Re: What is a Success Story?

Conservation: two scenarios spring to mind:

1. An item that, upon inspection, is found to be not in the original manufactured state, or is in poor condition or is not fully functional.
2. An item that, upon inspection, is found to be in the original manufactured state, is in very good condition and is fully functional.

For case 1, a full restoration exercise could be carried out, resulting in the item entering category 2 (as above), or the item can simply be left 'as is'.

For any of these scenarios and choices, to conserve the item, it now needs to be deposited in a suitably protected environment where no further changes - for any reason at all - can occur: a museum springs to mind. If, prior to that deposition, pictures of the item are taken (prior to, and post, any selected restorative work having been carried out), then perhaps the Success Story section would be the best place to enter those pictures - with comments as appropriate - such as where the item now resides, so that anyone who is interested can then view it 'in the flesh', so to speak.

Al.

Last edited by Skywave; 11th Mar 2012 at 7:23 pm. Reason: Corrections to spelling and grammar.
Skywave is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2012, 9:54 pm   #16
Robert Darwent
Heptode
 
Robert Darwent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

My view on this is that something has to have been carried out; a repair or restoration for example, however minor, in order to qualify as a 'success' and so be eligible for posting in the Success Stories section.

However, if the intention is simply to conserve; in other words leave completely untouched in as acquired condition, then IMHO that can't be called a success of any kind and the post is better placed in the Specific Vintage Equipment section.

Otherwise, every time a set was bought and placed in the 'to-it' pile it would automatically qualify as a Success Story!

Regards
__________________

Robert G0UHF
www.wavesintheair.co.uk
Robert Darwent is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2012, 12:54 am   #17
Skywave
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Thumbs up Re: What is a Success Story?

Fair comment, Robert - agreed.

Al.
Skywave is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2012, 10:54 am   #18
Lucien Nunes
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

There was a lively thread on the merits of conservation here

What it revealed is that the majority of forum members are not 'conservationists', they are people who enjoy working on radios and having working radios, which is after all what this forum is mainly about. So I think any question about conservation will draw a different conclusion than it would if (say) posted on a forum about museum operation. A museum curator might think of a conservation as a success, especially as contrary to many opinions here it may not simply be a case of putting a radio on a shelf.

How can we arrest the deterioration of rubber wiring? How to deal with electrolytics oozing and destroying other parts, without destroying the electrolytics? What temperature is best to store steel-cored nylon gears? How to prevent dial paint flaking? Which kinds of dirt must be removed from celluloid to prevent discolouration, even if minor damage occurs to the celluloid in the process? Conservation can be an active process, the success of which is that decay is slowed or stopped. However it is rather painstaking, sometimes academic and the 'results' appear only in the distant future.

The forum is very well organised for its purpose, however I would welcome a section about conservation because IMHO at the moment it presents a slightly one-sided view of the way to go about 'owning' a vintage set. I would be happier to see conservation promoted a little more, which could come about by allowing conservation work to qualify as a success.

Lucien
Lucien Nunes is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2012, 11:02 am   #19
Brian R Pateman
Nonode
 
Brian R Pateman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK
Posts: 2,136
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

There's no reason why conservation shouldn't be a "Success Story" in its own right.

Success stories are what we want them to be and that means there will (I hope) always be a variety of themes and stories. The majority of the threads on here are about radios, very little on test equipment.

To quote the section heading;

Quote:
If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging.
The distinction is that a success story is about what we've done. The work we do to get there and the help and information we need to do it is the subject of the relevant section (Vintage Radio, Vintage Test Equipment etcetera).
__________________
Brian
Brian R Pateman is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2012, 11:20 am   #20
Radio_Dave
Nonode
 
Radio_Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 2,543
Default Re: What is a Success Story?

Trouble is, conservation is always ongoing. Would a conservation thread, about a particular radio, ever finish?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucien Nunes View Post
What it revealed is that the majority of forum members are not 'conservationists'
I consider myself a conservationist... both before and after I restore them.

David
Radio_Dave is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 9:54 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.