And then three come along at once... 😀
These are my DAC10s, One that I restored a few years ago, the 'Holey Bush' and the one gifted by a friend over 20 years ago that I think was a Wireless for the Blind set. There is no transfer or engraving stating that fact though. I can't remember if it was a transfer or engraved. I did see one at Harpenden years ago.
Anyway this set is a bit rough, completely untouched by me but was working when I got it all those years ago. The defects I can see are that one louvre on the back is broken, the Bush 'tree' badge is missing and the dial surround has a crack around one screw hole the dial glass is missing printing. Probably someone cleaned it a bit too vigorously ? The case is 'brown with swirls' Bakelite whereas the other two are plain Maroon/Brown. Why Do I need three? Well you know what it's like when you collect stuff! You can't just have one can you!
Having given the brown one a bit of a dust off I may just have a look inside after all these years!
Only three? Not trying...!
On both my WFTB DAC10s it is/was a transfer on the top between the dial surround and the back edge. Slightly newer, I also have a boxed VHF80C which proclaims on the box that it is "for a blind person".
@cathovisor Thanks Mike. I have managed to find a picture of a DAC10 On Snellings' Museum website with the remains of a label on the top. It looks as if it would be easy to remove so It is quite possible my set had a label that has been removed, as you say like one of yours has. I don't know where I got the idea that it could have been engraved into the top I must have seen something somewhere...?
That DAC10 has come up really well! I like the idea of repairing the hole with another chunk of Bakelite, I'll have to try it sometime, I have a broken Ekco cabinet in the lock up, well, half of it!
Amazingly, I only have 1 DAC10! It's burried somewhere in the workshop, I haven't even unpacked it since we moved! It was one of the first sets I ever bought from the NVCF probably 20 years ago...
@lloyd Thanks Lloyd ! I like the Bush range of sets. Bush DAC90As and DAC10s were amongst the first vintage valve radios I restored. The layout makes them easier than most. Some Pye sets are almost 'knitted' with parts in layers and it seems there is always a Hunts crumbling away under a pile of other parts!
I repaired a smashed AD65 back in 2009, there was some bits missing which I remade with aluminium mesh and body filler, it looks fine from a distance... The wrecks are always more fun!
To cut a plug of Bakelite without a pilot hole I first drilled a hole in a bit of scrap wood then removed the pilot drill from the hole saw. Then I clamped the wood to the donor cabinet, the hole in the wood stabilised the hole saw when cutting the Bakelite. I did it outside with a mask on, Boy does Bakelite stink when you cut a hole in it!
That set has come up really nicely and looks good with the dial glass and cream surround being in good nick - glad you saved it.
I think these are really stylish looking sets and have just the one which I acquired at Retrotech in 2021. The wavelength numbering has come off the dial glass on mine but the set works very well after recapping and replacement of wiring with perished insulation and is in regular use.
Laurence
