Old Radio & Hedge Clippers (Found More Stuff)

[Old Moparz]

I was asking about Tonka Trucks in another thread & thought you guys would like to see this old radio from the 1920's & an old hedge clippers.

The radio had belonged to my Wife's Grandfather & still appears to be in decent looking shape. I can't test it, the wires are dried out but I wouldn't be surprised if it still works. It's an "Atwater Kent" with a separate speaker. I looked it up & found when it was made, but haven't researched it further. The wire to the speaker is cut & the power cord is frayed. I know I could reconnect it to try it out but I'd rather just make room on a shelf to look at it.

No idea if the Sunbeam hedge clippers work but I bet they do. After looking online I think they date back to the 1940's. There is no trigger to pull, it has an on/off switch. That means if you fall off the ladder while using them & it lands on top of you it'll stay in the on position & maim you to go along with your broken bones from the fall.  

[draftingmonkey]

I like old radio gear. Some more pics of the face, top and speaker of the radio would be nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Indygenerallee]

Keep that old hedge clipper and break it out at Thanksgiving and "commence" to cut the turkey with it with a evil grin on your face!!  You will scare the bejesus out of everyone!!

[Old Moparz]

I like old radio gear. Some more pics of the face, top and speaker of the radio would be nice. Thanks for sharing.

I have a couple of more handy, but would have to take more photos for better detail. Not sure if I will have time.   

[Old Moparz]

Keep that old hedge clipper and break it out at Thanksgiving and "commence" to cut the turkey with it with a evil grin on your face!!  You will scare the bejesus out of everyone!!

  It'll need a good cleaning first.

[sunfire69]

I have the same Atwater Kent radio....lol...and your right it weighs a ton..!!! it's usually the old paper and tar capacitors that go bad. I had mine rebuilt...not restored....he put some newer capacitors in it and it works like a champ...they aren't worth a ton of money...but it was my dads....I was having it repaired for him, but he passed away before it was finished....so I will just keep it...nobody could afford to pay me what it means to me..lol.... ....I had mine done years ago at Bill's radio in O'Fallon Il...If I remember right....

[Old Moparz]

I have the same Atwater Kent radio....lol...and your right it weighs a ton..!!! it's usually the old paper and tar capacitors that go bad. I had mine rebuilt...not restored....he put some newer capacitors in it and it works like a champ...they aren't worth a ton of money...but it was my dads....I was having it repaired for him, but he passed away before it was finished....so I will just keep it...nobody could afford to pay me what it means to me..lol.... ....I had mine done years ago at Bill's radio in O'Fallon Il...If I remember right....

That's cool.   


Of the things I was reading online about Atwater Kent, one was that they were the biggest radio manufacturer for a while. There also seems to be quite a few of these radios for sale on ebay, craigslist & specialty websites for vintage radios. The most expensive asking price I saw was about $200. I may look at the wires again & possibly connect a new one to see if it works, but I know I'm not putting any money into it. There's a local antique/junk shop that may want it along with some other stuff. If not I may just put it on a shelf as a decoration.   

[sunfire69]

I didn't put a lot in mine, the guy at Bill's could have made tar and paper caps for me but it would have cost way more than I could afford....he used some newer electronics and tucked them back in where you can't see them...now it works and it's just kind of fun to turn on and let it warm up.....if you do "explore" yours be careful....it and the speaker are polarity sensitive...and those tubes carry some hefty current...enough to do you in.....so becareful....

[Old Moparz]

I didn't put a lot in mine, the guy at Bill's could have made tar and paper caps for me but it would have cost way more than I could afford....he used some newer electronics and tucked them back in where you can't see them...now it works and it's just kind of fun to turn on and let it warm up.....if you do "explore" yours be careful....it and the speaker are polarity sensitive...and those tubes carry some hefty current...enough to do you in.....so becareful....

Good to know, thanks.   

Maybe I'll just bring it with me to show the guy I know that does some high end stereo repairs. I plan to bring a Gallien Krueger bass amp to him to recone the speaker so maybe he will look at it for me. 

[draftingmonkey]

I love the old tube gear. Have a couple of Fisher tube receivers and some Dynaco and Sansui tube amps/pre-amps/tuners.  Like sunfire69 said the newer electronic components are not that expensive and will hold up much better some of the old tar and paper caps. Hopefully it will be worth your while to save this piece of gear and get it working again.  Keep up informed.

[Bob T]

Cool old radio O.M. You'll need some more shelf space I guess 
Down at the old family bach ( holiday home) there was ( for many years ) a 50's type radiola with the record player inside it. Hessian weave front over the speaker holes, bakelite knobs and a glass window inscribed with all the world main stations on it. Eventually, because it was on marginally working and more of a decor display free standing type of thing, some ''do gooder'' to it for dumping, bit of a shame, went down there next holiday and it was gone 

[Todd Wilson]

Dont plug  the radio in.............the caps are dried out and need replaced before it will work.  There are also voltages in that radio that will not be pleasant if contacted with. Theres probably nasty voltage to the speaker as well as things were different in the old days compared to now.

I have vacuum tubes glowing everyday at my house!

Todd

[oldcarnut]

Somewhere I got a bag full of those old tubes stashed away.

[Old Moparz]

Found more stuff to take pictures of. 

The first item is a handheld, electric massager, but to me it looks like a good way to zap yourself with electricity.   

[Old Moparz]

Take a look at this "travel sunlamp" made by GE. This thing is pretty big so I can't imagine dragging it around on a trip somewhere.