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A Marconi model 86 - Printable Version

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RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 05-21-2025

This Marconi was a bit of a challenge. It was totally missing one electrolytic  capacitor, and the photos show a couple of others taped [with hospital tape]
to the top of the chassis, with bare wires.

I had to rewire in the missing cap, and recap the radio.
   After going through everything and getting it fixed it does play very well.
 I had to take out the glass [four pieces] and clean them..

I had a junker Marconi  with tall cans  and they fit perfectly in the holes in the chassis where the original cans were
 Now comes the cabinet when it gets warmer. 

It still get down the near freezing at nigh,here in Calgary.
  I have a fellow turning me a knob to match the others..
It will be a nice radio after I get it done  [I hope].

Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

I have recapped this large Marconi model 86.  It plays quit good.
 
      I have stripped the cabinet and using Mohawk toned lacquer I did the areas that needed to be done.
 In these photos it is now ready for the final coats of clear lacquer 

 The cabinet is very solid and heavy,but well built

 When it is all done i will post more photos.
 Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - radiorich - 06-10-2025

Hello Dan,
Wow that cabinet looks incredible !!
I bet when it's all back together it will be a really nice set to enjoy .

Off, the subject how is the weather up there it hit 102 degrees here yesterday.

Sincerely Richard

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

Thanks for the comment. The weather up here is quite nice. not too hot . It get s up to about 75F .
 Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Paul Philco322 - 06-10-2025

I like how the grille work is so sturdy yet pretty. So many radios with delicate grille work get broken and are hard to restore. Good luck with it. Paul

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

Hi Paul;
 The grill pillars were quite easy to take out .They only had a rear nail in the top rear of each one.
          It is a lot easier to strip them when they are out.
The stripping on this radio was not as hard as some others I have done.
     I have seen photos of this model with the grill bars missing, and I wonder how that would happen,but some people don't care.
 I am glad I can get this one back to it's original look.
 Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - RodB - 06-10-2025

Dan, I love your cabinet work. If you enjoy it, do as much as you can now. I used to have the physical ability but my back and arthritis in my hands put an end to this kind of work. So I'll just admire your accomplishment.

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

Thanks 
 I also have some arthritis in my hands, and it is getting a little harder to lift these radio cabinets
on and off so I can work on them. I find it very enjoyable to make the radios look like they came out of the factory.

  Sometimes I do change the toned lacquer a little, but many of the old radios were very dark and I lighten them up a bit.
     I am glad that the guys on any of the forums like the cabinets.
 I do get a lot of comments , so I must be doing something right.
Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - RodB - 06-10-2025

I like your approach to the dark finish. IMO to much dark finish hides some of the features of the cabinet. I used dark finish to highlight certain aspects.

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Arran - 06-10-2025

I have noticed that Marconi cabinets, from that era, didn't really go overboard with the shading lacquer, at least on the higher end cabinets. Unfortunately my only pre war Marconi is a model 157, and both ends of the cabinet were very heavily shaded, along with the grill, even the walnut veneer was over sprayed with tinted lacquer, though a more light colour.
Regards
Arran

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

Well today I  installed the grill cloth board and the speaker.  The speaker must weigh 20 pounds by itself.
I put the chassis in the cabinet and it is now complete.

      It sounds very good in the cabinet and I really like the style.
 Here are the photos. The flash does not do the cabinet justice, but in person  it is a different story.
    Dan in Calgary

RE: A Marconi model 86 - radiorich - 06-10-2025

Hello Dan,
That really turned out very nice and I also like that color it is not to dark .

I Have General Electric model L-916 for 41 that I want to refinish the two big issues is part of it has photo finish and someone might have used some poly on part of it.

Sincerely Richard

RE: A Marconi model 86 - Dan Walker - 06-10-2025

Those last photos were not very good,so I  used one of my other cameras. This is more like the true colors of the radio.
 Dan in Calgary