My newly found Marconi 707
 

Hey all!

After years of searching, I’ve finally found myself a pre war TV!

Introducing this years restoration project. A Marconi 707!!!

I have asked for advice and guidance on how to proceed with the restoration, but thought I’d make a separate thread for the actual set. Here it is!
It’s a little tatty, but appears to be all there!

A few months back, someone shared a video from the Land of Lost Content museum, on a Facebook group I am on, in which, was this Marconi 707 I tried my luck and contacted the owner, and after some back and fourth, here it is in my possession!

Attached are some photos, including the serial number. It’s all original apart from 2 smoothing caps which I can see soldered underneath.

The tube has a good heater, as well.

Upon a basic inspection, I have no dc resistance on the mains in side, regardless of how the wave band switch is positioned. The tuning cap doesn’t move with the control, or the dial, but string seems intact - perhaps it’s slipping, and finally, the volume control appears to be slightly bent.

In a few days I will remove the chassis for a proper clean. And inspect components. I’m putting off doing that, I don’t think my back can handle it!

Thanks all
Ed

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Here are the photos. Also got the complete manual as well!

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

So it's not a 706, it's a 707.

Steve

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

That’s right Steve, I was unaware of the actual screen size as I hadn’t seen it in person but corrected myself on the last thread

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Looks good, I take it that it came with both back & bottom panels?
Chassis looks clean & rust free, always a good sign that it has been stored well.

A couple of replacement parts is to be expected, and the cabinet looks as if it will come up a treat.
I must admit to being rather envious, I have been on the look out for a prewar set for years!

:beer:
Mark

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

This is my Marconi 707. In 1996 the CRT was rebuilt and with fitted with a new cathode. The work was carried out by Display Electronics Ltd. in Uxbridge.
Googled "Display Electronics Ltd." and it seems according to Companies House records the company was dissolved in December 2016.

DFWB.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

I like it a lot, the radio dominates (as it should!) and considering there where very few hours of telly in 1936 about right in proportion. Much like today where there are very few hours of watchable TV in a day. I do have a sneaking suspicion that SHMBO would protest if it was our main set.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Was it re-screened too? If so, how is the ion burn now?

Steve

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Hi Steve,
I'm sure the tube wasn't rescreened. I do remember there was that problem of making a graded glass seal, Pyrex hard glass to soft glass.

DFWB.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Thanks David.

As shown previously, here's the same type of set in the Flanagan & Allen film "Here Comes The Sun". It looks slim may be inset into the "wall".

Steve

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Looks really interesting great find. Good luck.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

You lucky so and so!!! I’d love to get my mits on one of those, I’ve only ever seen one in the flesh, it was at the NVCF many years ago, but the telly had been replaced with a modern one! Best of luck with the restoration, it certainly looks like a good set to begin with.

Regards
Lloyd

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

All there thankfully! And with all screws!

I’m quite nervous too... let’s hope it’s plain sailing!

I’ve been searching for the past few years. I’m so happy to have found this one

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

What a lovely example!

Hmm, I wonder if it’s possible to get the tubes rebuilt still?

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Thanks all for the positive comments.

Here’s some more photos from the disassembly.

I find it quite amusing to see, the evolution of smoothing caps been added onto and then disconnected still in the chassis lol

The dial appears to be stuck. I think this is to do with dry grease.

Tomorrow eve I will do a slow power up to determine the condition of the Tube, with just EHT supply, without the HT to the rest of it to see if it’s possible for it to produce a blob on the tube face.

I’m not optimistic about plugging it in and reforming now I’ve seen the state of smoothing mess. I’ll need to have a think about my next approach.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Here’s some more photos

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

em536716 wrote: " Hmm, I wonder if it’s possible to get the tubes rebuilt still?"
I believe the Emiscope 3/1 and 3/2 tubes were still available from the EMI service department as late as 1960/61.
Ex Comecon countries CRT 17LK18 can be fitted in these 7" sets. It's been done.
The fact that these pre-war Emiscope tubes were made with Pyrex hard glass might scare off any potential CRT rebuilders.

DFWB.

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Hi Ed,
That is a great find. You would be unlikely to find an untouched chassis in better condition than that.

Reforming pre-war electrolytics, don't bother I'm sure it won't work and it would probably cause damage anyway.

Looking at your chassis, it looks like it escaped the usual EMI post war overhaul. It still has the bolt on low voltage electrolytics, it also has the original multi capacitor box on the top of the chassis. There is a chance then that the tube may not have had much use.

No, the tubes can't be rebuilt any more as there is no one left to do it. I did indeed fit a Russian tube in my HMV905 as I obtained it with no tube at all.

You were clearly very fortunate to obtain it before today's news. I don't think that picking a vintage TV set constitutes an essential journey, though I have often tried to convince the wife that collecting TVs is an essential part of life!

I wish you will with the testing.

BTW, the tuning has a ball reduction drive, it can get clogged up with dirt.

Cheers
Andy

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Hi Ed, well done! like everyone else I am quite envious.
I found this picture of your set languishing at the Craven Arms museum suffering the indignity of being surrounded by all that TV merchandise that came decades later, some of it from [whisper]ITV[/whisper] 8-o

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...7&ff=415001066

Re: My newly found Marconi 707
 

Thanks for the encouraging comments guys.

I think it’s actually quite comical to see new smoothing caps tacked onto the bottom, then one side cut out then replaced by different ones, which have been disconnected on one side and replaced by even newer ones... almost like you can physically see how long it was in service for.

Yes now I’ve calmed down a bit, reforming the old tired caps aren’t as much of a good idea as I might have guessed, although I must admit, I have had luck before after physically heating one of those Metal cylinder Metal cylinder type TCC ones with the holes on top.

I’m sure there’s enough space underneath, to mount RS ones, or better still, restuff what I can.

I took sometime to inspect the DC resistance of the focus coil and scanning coils. All appears well. I removed them and the CRT, gave it all a could clean, being cautious not to wreck the Emiscope label...

My tube appears to have odd rings around the face of the tube. Perhaps this is how they just were back then, seems a little weird to me. Also, Is it right that the face of the tube is right up against the glass? Makes me a little nervous...


Unfortunately a fellow collector friend was going to come up here to Guilford next week and collect the cabinet to restore it for me. Obviously ensuring he preserves all of the original finish as possible, but since we are in lockdown now, I can’t see this happening as it isn’t safe - I’m too nervous to attempt any cab repair on my own, souly because of its rarity.

The power switch appears to be 2 poles? Appears to be open on both sides unfortunately. I might have to bypass this for testing purposes when I run it up on the variac later this week.


Light dusting and cleaning, checking of IF coils, and TXs is a priority at the mo.

Thank you Rambo1152 for sharing this. The owner of the museum, Stella, was given the TV set by her husband Dave, for their first Christmas together. That was 35 years ago. It was a very sentimental part of her collection and was hard to part with it. I’ve promised to put it back to its former glory for her, and enjoy it as much as possible.