Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

wireless_john · 22nd Dec 2016, 1:13 pm

I have a working Hacker Sovereign 3 (S/N: 08972) which actually has the telescopic aerial, handle and the battery holder! What is doesn't have is a tuning scale in good condition.

I was reading another thread on here where Howard Craven says he used Tamiya Acrylic paint to touch up the black bits on the scale. So I ordered some and some Tamiya masking tape. This stuff is used by model makers and I've been reading some of their forums too.

In doing this, I notice there is quite a bit of discussion about whether or not the paint needs thinning, and if so, what to thin it with. Water? IPA? Also discussion about the best sort of brush!

Has anyone tried this or anything else on these tuning scales? I've attached a couple of photos of the problem. Can't see that I'll be able to fix the lettering easily but I'll go down to a sign writers in Gosport next week and see what they have in the way of vinyl letters.

John

Nickthedentist · 22nd Dec 2016, 2:14 pm

If there is a lot of paint loss, one not very authentic option is to remove the lot and leave it bare: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=9486

wireless_john · 22nd Dec 2016, 8:15 pm

Not sure if I'd do that Nick!

This is the thread where Howard is talking about the paint:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=11933

I think he's talking about the speaker grill here though.

As for the lettering - I don't know. Letraset springs to mind but I'm not sure how hardwearing it is.

John

Ti Pwun · 22nd Dec 2016, 11:30 pm

Letraset would need to be lacquered because even an accidental knock with a fingernail would scrape the lettering off.

I am working on an image for the Sov III (as well as the RP75) so I can laser etch the faceplate and add white into the lettering but it's only one of many projects on my 'to do' list so I can't yet produce the before and after photos. Looks like someone cleaned up the faceplate with a thinners soaked rag wrapped around a brass bristled brush so hopefully the laser etching will work.

Incidentally, I have used Letraset to replace the text on a faceplate (RP75) and even a slight misalignment looks really awful so you'll need plenty of patience and a willingness to remove a crooked letter immediately after you apply it if you want the results to be good.

Ti Pwun · 22nd Dec 2016, 11:44 pm

Before and after pics of Letraset lettering being applied. A VERY labour intensive process, I must say.

dseymo1 · 23rd Dec 2016, 9:13 am

The secret with Letraset is to trasfer it to a carrier first, then when happy with alignment transfer the whole lot to the finished job. It goes without saying that the built-in alignment / kerning 'spacematic' bars should be fully utilised in the process.

wireless_john · 23rd Dec 2016, 11:59 am

I have to say I'm not that keen on Letraset having fiddled with it in the past.

I will probably leave the lettering and just try and tidy up the rest of it.

John

wireless_john · 24th Dec 2016, 9:28 am

Well, reading the other thread about control knob lettering, this looks promising:

http://fox-transfers.co.uk/general-a...habet-in-black

John

stevehertz · 25th Dec 2016, 2:42 pm

In my opinion there's no way you're going to get a good match by touching up that black, there's just too much paint missing. I'd remove it all, mask and spray.

wireless_john · 26th Dec 2016, 4:54 pm

I think you might be right there Steve! I've got two tuning scales, both bad so I'm going to experiment with the worst of the two.

Masking off everything, including the lettering and then spraying the solid blocks may well be the way to go. I need to find an airbrushing enthusiast in Gosport I think!

The local sign writers were sympathetic but don't do lettering that small. They didn't have any other ideas either.

John

Philips210 · 27th Dec 2016, 10:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti Pwun

Letraset would need to be lacquered because even an accidental knock with a fingernail would scrape the lettering off.

Hi.

I agree but it's important not to apply the coating too heavily as it can distort and ruin the transfers as I have discovered. I'm still not entirely confident about applying lacquer to the transfers. What's the best approach for ensuring success?
Should a very thin coating first be applied to seal the transfers followed by a heavier one?

EDIT: As another thought, I suppose the type of lacquer could be a reason why I have had problems. In the past, I never had the problem of distortion of the lettering after lacquering. So I was wondering what is the best lacquer to use?

Regards
Symon.

22nd Dec 2016, 1:13 pm	#1
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale I have a working Hacker Sovereign 3 (S/N: 08972) which actually has the telescopic aerial, handle and the battery holder! What is doesn't have is a tuning scale in good condition. I was reading another thread on here where Howard Craven says he used Tamiya Acrylic paint to touch up the black bits on the scale. So I ordered some and some Tamiya masking tape. This stuff is used by model makers and I've been reading some of their forums too. In doing this, I notice there is quite a bit of discussion about whether or not the paint needs thinning, and if so, what to thin it with. Water? IPA? Also discussion about the best sort of brush! Has anyone tried this or anything else on these tuning scales? I've attached a couple of photos of the problem. Can't see that I'll be able to fix the lettering easily but I'll go down to a sign writers in Gosport next week and see what they have in the way of vinyl letters. John Attached Thumbnails __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member

22nd Dec 2016, 2:14 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale If there is a lot of paint loss, one not very authentic option is to remove the lot and leave it bare: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=9486

22nd Dec 2016, 8:15 pm	#3
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale Not sure if I'd do that Nick! This is the thread where Howard is talking about the paint: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=11933 I think he's talking about the speaker grill here though. As for the lettering - I don't know. Letraset springs to mind but I'm not sure how hardwearing it is. John __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member

22nd Dec 2016, 11:30 pm	#4
Ti Pwun Heptode Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 888	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale Letraset would need to be lacquered because even an accidental knock with a fingernail would scrape the lettering off. I am working on an image for the Sov III (as well as the RP75) so I can laser etch the faceplate and add white into the lettering but it's only one of many projects on my 'to do' list so I can't yet produce the before and after photos. Looks like someone cleaned up the faceplate with a thinners soaked rag wrapped around a brass bristled brush so hopefully the laser etching will work. Incidentally, I have used Letraset to replace the text on a faceplate (RP75) and even a slight misalignment looks really awful so you'll need plenty of patience and a willingness to remove a crooked letter immediately after you apply it if you want the results to be good.

22nd Dec 2016, 11:44 pm	#5
Ti Pwun Heptode Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 888	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale Before and after pics of Letraset lettering being applied. A VERY labour intensive process, I must say. Attached Thumbnails

23rd Dec 2016, 9:13 am	#6
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale The secret with Letraset is to trasfer it to a carrier first, then when happy with alignment transfer the whole lot to the finished job. It goes without saying that the built-in alignment / kerning 'spacematic' bars should be fully utilised in the process.

23rd Dec 2016, 11:59 am	#7
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale I have to say I'm not that keen on Letraset having fiddled with it in the past. I will probably leave the lettering and just try and tidy up the rest of it. John __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member

24th Dec 2016, 9:28 am	#8
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale Well, reading the other thread about control knob lettering, this looks promising: http://fox-transfers.co.uk/general-a...habet-in-black John __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member

25th Dec 2016, 2:42 pm	#9
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale In my opinion there's no way you're going to get a good match by touching up that black, there's just too much paint missing. I'd remove it all, mask and spray. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

26th Dec 2016, 4:54 pm	#10
wireless_john Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 606	Re: Hacker Sovereign 3 Tuning Scale I think you might be right there Steve! I've got two tuning scales, both bad so I'm going to experiment with the worst of the two. Masking off everything, including the lettering and then spraying the solid blocks may well be the way to go. I need to find an airbrushing enthusiast in Gosport I think! The local sign writers were sympathetic but don't do lettering that small. They didn't have any other ideas either. John __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member