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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! |
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25th Nov 2023, 5:24 pm | #1 |
Diode
Join Date: May 2023
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 6
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R1155
Here is the R1155 that I have been restoring. It has taken a couple of years and isn't finished yet but it works on all bands. Some of the DF circuitry is still to be reinstated even though it will probably never be used. It was stripped back to bare metal and all resistors replaced and most capacitors restuffed. The PSU/amp is the standard 6v6 5z4 setup. It's currently keeping my garage warm and I may build a solid state version for summer.
It was bought as a donor for another R1155 but turned out to be more interesting being older and aluminium so got restored instead. Peter Holtham's book, the other R1155 as a guide, this website, a load of photos taken during disassembly and Ebay were all part of the success. Thanks for reading. |
25th Nov 2023, 5:57 pm | #2 |
Diode
Join Date: May 2023
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 6
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Re: R1155
Most of the labels were too badly damaged to hope for successful restoration so I made some more. They are made of thin aluminium with black paint applied over a silver background using a silk screen. Looking at the originals I am not convinced they are painted but anodised. I may try making some anodised versions using the same artwork.
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25th Nov 2023, 6:23 pm | #3 |
Diode
Join Date: May 2023
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 6
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Re: R1155
I'm not sure what version of R1155 this is because the data plate was completely rusty. Given its likely age I assumed it was an A. The data plate was de-rusted using electrolysis to reveal the serial number and another silkscreen made to add the black paint once it had been copper plated. The original showed signs of brass plating under all of the rust but I don't know how to do that.
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25th Nov 2023, 7:50 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,041
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Re: R1155
Looks beautiful. You must have spent loads of time on it.
Aub
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25th Nov 2023, 8:14 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 14,015
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Re: R1155
Impressive indeed!! I admire the effort you have put into it.
How well does it work?? Try listening around 3615 tomorrow morning and you should hear some of us vintage AM operators. Several of them use 1154/1155 on the band.
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25th Nov 2023, 8:14 pm | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Coulsdon, London, UK.
Posts: 2,173
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Re: R1155
I like the wrinkle paint. What brand of paint did you use?
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25th Nov 2023, 9:58 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 714
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Re: R1155
Very nice looks great .
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25th Nov 2023, 10:01 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Surrey, UK.
Posts: 4,400
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Re: R1155
That's lovely! Great to see this classic respectfully restored after what must have been lots of time and care. I've seen too many sad R1155 wrecks apparently vultured/neglected beyond hope under tables at vintage meets, so it's good to see a happy outcome here. I do like the idea of retaining/restoring the DF circuitry, and using an external PSU/AF amp, that one has an appropriate "utility-funk" look to it.
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25th Nov 2023, 10:27 pm | #9 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,924
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Re: R1155
The people who got to see R1155s in that condition were on their way to drop bombs and be shot at.
It is an exceptional restoration. There isn't too much gloss to the black wrinkle paint. The period word would be 'spiffing' ! David
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25th Nov 2023, 10:39 pm | #10 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,727
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Re: R1155
Wonderful job you’ve made of that, you have every right to be proud!
When I finally get round to mine again, I originally got them working in the 70s, I intend to restore the DF circuit to working order. Fortunately I have the plugs, meter, actual loop and even a brand new couple of the very rare VR102s! Unfortunately my T1154 has sadly been butchered on the inside and like most I’ve never managed to find the 192 junction panel. Peter |
26th Nov 2023, 12:24 am | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,727
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Re: R1155
As a schoolboy, I found an 1155 dumped on waste ground. it was in much the same condition as yours was. I took it home to my den/shed and proceeded to dismantle it, imagining I was defusing a bomb. I remember unwinding long rolls of paper and foil, and getting oil on my hands
By the way, welcome to the forum Smuggler!
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26th Nov 2023, 1:01 am | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Surrey, UK.
Posts: 4,400
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Re: R1155
I recall removing the guts from one of those aluminium-cased 100nF 2BA-studded paper capacitors (in this case, from a CR100 but used in a great many things over a couple of decades) and being amazed at just how long the aluminium foil ribbon was- I wondered if there was any connection with the manufacture of ”Window" strip, sure enough I subsequently found that capacitor makers had been approached to manufacture it.
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26th Nov 2023, 2:31 am | #13 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex.
Posts: 5,817
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Re: R1155
Goodness it's back from the dead Smuggler! Tremendous restoration work there. You would be welcome at the Science or British Museum I suspect [or maybe not] Peter's book is very exceptional indeed but I doubt that I will never be able to make such good use of it myself!
Dave W Last edited by dave walsh; 26th Nov 2023 at 2:50 am. |
26th Nov 2023, 11:28 am | #14 | ||||
Diode
Join Date: May 2023
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 6
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Re: R1155
Thanks for all your kind words. It has been a rewarding experience with some new skills learnt along the way. It took a long time but there were lots of milestones so it wasn't a slog. I have to mention my son who produced the artwork for the silk screens.
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26th Nov 2023, 11:38 am | #15 |
Diode
Join Date: May 2023
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 6
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Re: R1155
I borrowed an IR camera to check nothing was getting too hot. A few of the original resistors had burnt out, presumably because of leaky capacitors. I thought it wise to check that my replacements were sturdy enough.
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26th Nov 2023, 1:05 pm | #16 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 2,821
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Re: R1155
Very nice work! I have 2 of these to play with, I even managed to get an original wooden crate for one of them! One needs a re-spray, so I’ll try the paint you mentioned. Neither of mine were in as bad condition as yours, and both manage to work even with the old caps in place! Luckily the DF circuitry is still in place in both of mine, just missing the valves.
The IR photos are interesting! Regards Lloyd |
27th Nov 2023, 9:57 am | #17 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 1,042
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Re: R1155
It puts my efforts to shame.
Mine was in similar condition and I have has to rewire it as the insulation on the original insulation was crumbling to dust. I haven't rebuilt the DF section as several of the inductors were missing as was the ,expensive, double triode. |