Gilbert Davey suggested some quite
rough-and-ready construction methods,
such as bending a metal chassis on the
back step! CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES
This page was formerly called "Your Studio ‘E’ Rebuild", and carried information and suggestions specially relevant to the Studio ‘E’ one-valver.   But much of this content is likely to be useful for many other Davey designs, or indeed many radio projects in general.   So, in step with the ongoing expansion of this site to cover Gilbert Davey's wider work, the page has been re-written and will be added to over the course of time as useful information and sources are found.   This page now includes two designs for tuning coils: a versatile Davey medium/long-wave coil (first published in Boy's Own Paper and reproduced here by kind permission of Lutterworth Press), and a simpler medium-wave-only coil.


Welcome and introduction,
contact details, disclaimer,
rights notice, BVWS link,
site map.
The man who introduced radio
construction to several generations
of boys, many of whom became radio
or communications professionals.
The history of the famous
one-valve circuit, 1948-78.
The Studio 'E' 1-valver and
the Focus Transistor radio:
downloads for these famous
designs, and lots more!
This portable receiver clearly became 
very popular, as it was published seven 
times from 1962 to 1981.
A growing resource for those who
built Davey designs years ago, or who
simply wish to know more about them.
Davey sets built by contributors -
including designs that could have been
lost but for some prolonged detective work.
(This page)
Two home-made coils to use in place of the all-too-scarce
commercial types, suppliers for other components, and
other sources of useful information.
Latest news, links to other sites of interest,
and news archive.
Hover your mouse over the
navigation buttons above for
brief page contents.
Pages marked  >  give access to
one or more subsidiary pages -
see also Site Map at bottom
of WELCOME page.
Controllable daylight,
good general artificial light,
adjustable task light(s)
    Site author's small electronics work area.

Gilbert Davey was writing for young readers who often lacked all but the most basic tools and equipment, and so never set higher standards of workmanship for beginners than he thought they could reasonably achieve.   Although he stressed the need for sound soldered joints and reasonable care in wiring layout when necessary, he suggested some quite rough-and-ready construction methods to use if the ideal tools were not to hand, such as chain-drilling holes for valveholders and chiselling out the scrap with a hammer and screwdriver, or bending a metal chassis on the back step!   Success in achieving a working set was the first concern; a polished final appearance was a lower priority.

If you want to spend significant amounts of time building or restoring sets, you will want better than basic facilities, and they will repay their cost in increased pleasure and comfort while working, and a higher standard of end-result.   Below are some ideas to consider when setting up a work area. The main information section follows.

Please note:
It is your own responsibility to ensure that you work safely and that equipment (especially mains-operated sets or power supplies for battery sets) is soundly built and adequately housed.   If you are in any doubt about your understanding of the information given or referred to on this page or about your ability to work safely, you should seek the help of a qualified person.


* a work surface at a height suitable to sit at, with small vice.   The Stanley Multi-angle Hobby Vice is worth a look - see
https://www.stanleytools.co.uk/products/sub4/Products/HAND+TOOLS/Clamps+_+Vices/Vices
- available at Amazon and ebay;
* power sockets sufficient for soldering iron(s), task lighting, equipment under test, mains-operated test gear if used (protection by a residual current device should be considered a necessity);
* good lighting: controllable daylight, good general artificial light, adjustable task light(s);
* an adjustable magnifying glass or magnifier light;
* adequate heating - one can get very cold sitting at an absorbing task;
* storage for components;
* soldering iron(s) in safety stand, with sponge for cleaning bits;
* cored solder, desoldering braid or pump, sprung heat sink such as "Lady Jayne" hair clip;
* basic test gear: analogue or digital multimeter, continuity tester;
* aerial and earth for AM reception, FM aerial;
* tools: a basic kit might comprise screwdrivers, pliers (electrician's and pointed), small side-cutters, wire stripper, files (including warding files), junior hacksaw.


I have not used all the suppliers mentioned in the following table, but those I have used gave me good or satisfactory service.   However I cannot accept responsibilty if you receive unsatisfactory service; please pursue any complaint with the supplier.   All are UK-based.   Items are in aphabetical order.

AM broadcast decline:
 
  The BBC and other broadcasters have been deserting the medium-wave band in favour of digital technology over the past few years, and there is uncertainty about the future of the BBC's long-wave transmitter.   This trend, accelerated by online streaming services and smart speakers, seems likely to continue, and is bad news for those who enjoy using simple radio sets like many Davey designs, or commercially made radios from pre-FM or pre-digital days.   At present (2021) FM broadcasting does not seem to be under immediate threat.

There are several options for continued enjoyment of AM receivers.   Not all options are suitable for the simpler Davey sets.   Please note that the options involving direct connection of an external source to the set are potentially UNSAFE for any receiver which does not have an isolated power supply (typically AC/DC type without a mains transformer) unless special precautions are taken.   If in any doubt, consult a qualified person.

The options are:
1: If the set has a pickup input, most modern audio sources such as CD players or MP3 players can be adapted to provide a suitable signal by attenuating and combining the stereo channels.   Commercial sets with pickup inputs usually have isolated power supplies, but they should be checked by a qualified person if there is any doubt.
2: If there is room in the cabinet, a Bluetooth adaptor can be fitted internally, perhaps powered from the set itself, but care is needed in order to provide a suitable supply for the adaptor, and for a safe and reliable installation, whether the set has an isolated power supply or not.
3: A very new development is a digital adaptor that can be fitted in place of the mixer valve of a superhet receiver, deriving power from the radio itself.   The device carries out a search during the warm-up period, then spaces digital stations across the dial.   These devices are being produced in small quantities in Germany, but are expensive as they have to be tailored to each radio model.   They are nevertheless an interesting idea that provides an entirely reversible upgrade.   For more info, see: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=175036
4: Another new development is an FM converter on a small PCB that connects to the tuning capacitor of an AM radio.   The device produces an audio output which is fed to the radio's audio stages.   Once again, special precautions must be taken if the set is an AC/DC type.   Also, precautions must be taken against electrostatic discharge (wrist band, suitable footwear and clothing, etc) while installing.   Because nothing else can be connected to the tuning capacitor, it is necessary either to forfeit AM coverage in the radio, or to install switching to select between AM and FM.   Further information at: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185018
5: Perhaps the simplest solution - if the radio does not have a pickup input - is a "Pantry transmitter".   This device accepts a signal from an audio source (e.g. a phone tuned to internet radio or playing stored music, or a modern radio), modulates the audio on to a carrier wave whose frequency is set to a quiet spot on the receiving radio's dial, and radiates a very low-power signal (a few milliwatts only) via a short aerial wire which is simply placed near the receiving radio.   It is suitable for most receivers, as it does not involve any direct electrical connection between the two.   For more info on one popular self-build pantry transmitter, see: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/index.php and search for "Mini-Mod" using the "Search this website" facility to view numerous threads on this device.   You should check whether such devices are legal or not in your country, but they are unlikely to cause nuisance thanks to the very low power.
 
Battery:
 
  As the old combined HT/LT types are no longer obtainable, many constructors make up replicas, with rechargeable batteries inside cases carring colour scans of the old covers.   This thread in the UK Vintage Radio forum carries many battery case scans: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109240 - but Post 3 linking to the very useful Thompson Brown site no longer works.
 
Battery eliminator
for valve receivers:

 
  As an alternative to a battery pack using rechargeable batteries, I recently (2021) built a mains-powered unit to power my one-valvers.   The design is by Paul Stenning (owner of the UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Forum), and very comprehensive details can be downloaded at http://www.vintage-radio.com/projects/battery-set-psu.html.

The design uses a readily available transformer with two 15-volt secondaries.   One of these supplies a voltage quadrupler circuit for HT, delivering 85 - 90 volts at up to 15mA.   The other secondary supplies an LM317T voltage regulator for LT, adjustable by choice of component values in the control circuit.   With the values suggested, the 250mA maximum output is fixed at 1.35 volts, to prolong the life of 1.4-volt filaments.   The HT and LT sections are designed to be entirely separate, to cater for radios that use biased filaments.

My unit is built into a small project box.


My unit is built into a small project box, 150 x 100 x 60mm, with ribs to accept PCBs (or tagboards in my unit), with the outputs led to a four-way socket (no doubt salvaged from an old HT/LT battery, and bought several years ago with an eye to this purpose).   Although, as mentioned above, the HT and LT sections are entirely separate, with a simple one-valver the supply negatives are connected together within the set and led to earth.   The transformer insulation is more than adequate to allow the unit to be used in this way.

A ready-made battery eliminator is available from 6V6 Electronics at https://www.6v6.co.uk/psu.html
 
Battery plug, HT/LT, 4-pin:   I have never seen these on sale anywhere except at the National Vintage Communications Fair (q.v.).   Post 25 of this thread carries useful dimension information (diagram 7 is the common 4-pin connector): https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71256&page=2 See also My Rebuilt Studio ‘E’ Set
 
British Vintage Wireless Society:   The British Vintage Wireless Society has 1700 members throughout the world who share practical, historical or technical interests in vintage radio and television.   A beautifully-produced Bulletin is published four times a year, containing articles on all facets of the subject, Society news, and details of events.   These include swapmeets and auctions held in various parts of the country, and the National Vintage Communications Fair (q.v.).   The Society produces DVDs containing archive films of technical and general interest, and members can purchase a range of fixed capacitors suited to restoration work.
 
Capacitors, variable:
 
  Many air-dielectric types are usually to be found on ebay, but the solid-dielectric types are getting hard to find.   Until recently, Mailine Group offered new "Dilecon" solid-dielectric capacvitors, but their site has disappeared.   Hopefully this signifies only a temporary problem.
 
Capacitors, fixed:   Members of the British Vintage Wireless Society (q.v.) can buy from a range of small-value and electrolytic capacitors.   Vintage types often appear on ebay.
 
Coil, medium/long wave,
to Davey design
(Boy's Own Paper, Jan 1961):
 
If made as well as the example pictured
here, it will enhance any set!
This versatile coil has aerial, medium-wave, long-wave and reaction windings.   Like most homebrew coils, this is a bulky item at around 4 inches high and 2 3/4 inches diameter.   But this genuine Davey design is a worthy substitute for the commercially-made coils (Teletron D/R, Repanco DRR2) which gradually went out of production in the 1960s and 1970s.   If made as well as the example pictured here, it will enhance any set!   This one was kindly made for me by Hugh Castellan, whose own version of the Davey triode one-valver (see YOUR DAVEY SETS) uses the same coil design.   I have since used this splendid coil in a Davey one-valve design see THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER.

The design for this coil was first described in the January 1961 edition of Boy's Own Paper, and subsequent editions described its use in transistor and one-valve sets.   The one-valver circuit diagram and components list are included in the download; the circuit diagram has been corrected (April 2014) for two errors recently spotted.

By kind permission of Lutterworth Press, the PDF download below carries full details of this coil, and is available for your personal non-commercial use.   Please also read the copyright notice on the WELCOME page.   If you wish to pass it on to a friend, please send a link to this web page.   He will then have access to the viewing and printing suggestions as below.

The download contains:

* the full January 1961 BOP article, including a crystal circuit using the coil;
* one-valver circuit diagram and components list from the June 1961 edition;
* notes on the design and its publishing history.


Davey LW/MW coil, A4 PDF file PDF file:   (You need Acrobat Reader installed on your PC.)   File size is 3Mb, and a broadband connection is recommended.

Click the icon to download the PDF file.   If Acrobat Reader opens within your browser, use the "Back" button to return to this page when download is complete.   If Acrobat Reader opens in a separate window, close that window to return to this page.

Images and text are positioned so that when printed on one sheet of A4 paper, the sheet can be folded to form an A5 leaflet.   Some enhancement has been applied to parts of the images to increase legibility.   The BOP images are sized at around 85% (linear) of true size.


Coil, Teletron D/R,
home-made substitute:
  When I came to rebuild my Studio ‘E’ one-valver, I was fortunate in having kept many of the components that went into my original set.   Of these, the Teletron coil is the hardest to find these days, so here are details of the home-made coil which I tried out in my "conjectural" set, built before the Studio ‘E’ leaflet came to light.   It is simpler and less bulky than the Davey-designed coil above, but in common with the Teletron D/R coil for which it is intended as a direct substitute, it only offers medium-wave reception.

This is a medium-wave-only coil, to
match the function of the Teletron coil.
    Experimental Teletron D/R substitute coil, after adding extra turns to the reaction winding.



This coil was inspired by the one described for the first (February 1948) version of the Beginner's One-valver, but took account, using other published data, of the wire I had to hand.   It was then altered as described below, in the light of trials on my set.

The coil former is a 2-inch diameter cardboard tube from kitchen roll, the same diameter as a toilet-roll tube, but more to hold on to (the surplus length can be cut off on completion).   There are three windings (to replicate the Teletron coil), all of 26swg enamelled copper wire.   All windings are close-wound, and all in the same direction – on my coil they form "right-hand threads", spiralling clockwise and away from the viewer looking from above.   I included tappings as below for experiment, formed by twisting a small loop in the wire at the completion of a turn, and then continuing winding.   These loops were scraped clean of enamel when the coil was finished.

During winding, the supply reel was placed on a screwdriver held vertically in the vice so that it could turn freely, minimising the possibility of kinking the wire.   At the beginning of each winding, a pair of small holes about 1/4” apart was punched through the tube with a needle, about 9” of wire was threaded through (in one hole, out the other) for connection, then turns wound on as below.   When each winding was complete, the wire was cut to leave another 9” for connection, two more holes were punched, and the wire threaded in and out.   The gaps between windings are about 1/4”.   The windings are:

Reaction (top), 30 turns initially.   After trials I added a further 8 turns at the top, leaving the original start as a tapping at the 8th turn of a 38-turn winding.
Tuning (centre), 65 turns, with tappings at the 55th and 60th turns;
Aerial (bottom), 20 turns, with tappings at the 10th and 15th turns.

The drawing sums up these details.

The numbers in quotes correspond to the 
tag numbering on the Teletron coil.


The numbers in quotes correspond to the tag numbering on the Teletron coil.   The destination of each connection is given for the Studio ‘E’ one-valver.   Note that for this set, connections "2" and "4" are stripped of enamel for a short distance (say 3/8”) where they leave the former, and are then twisted together and soldered.   This forms the grounded connection between the aerial and tuning windings, with two long leads from the junction.

To mount the coil to the chassis, I made a hardwood block, about 1 3/8” wide and 1/2” thick, with curved ends for a push-fit inside the former, and drilled fixing holes.   With this block bolted to the chassis, the coil slips over it.   Take care that the block does not foul the end of the aerial winding where the wire is inside the former.

After trials, I found that the full complement of turns on both the aerial and tuning windings worked best, so the tappings on these were redundant.   With the reaction winding as first made, I found that reaction was rather less lively than with the Teletron coil, so I wound on the 8 extra turns as stated.   Using all 38 turns, performance seemed to be about the same as with the Teletron coil, although I could not of course make instantaneous comparisons.   The tapping so formed was therefore also redundant.

If you are using the same gauge of wire and don’t want to experiment, you can just make the coil with the full number of turns (38, 65, 20), without the tappings.   If you use a different gauge of wire, you may need to experiment with the number of turns for each winding.   You may also want to consider painting the completed coil with clear polyurethane varnish, to strengthen the former and fix the windings in place.

My correspondent David Green has copied this coil - without the tappings - on his own "conjectural" Studio ‘E’ set (commenced before the leaflet came to light), and has achieved good results - see YOUR DAVEY SETS.   I have not tried this coil on my new Studio ‘E’ rebuild (see My Studio ‘E’ Rebuild), but I have no reason to doubt that it would perform equally well in this set.

Note: If you follow the Studio ‘E’ leaflet's layout, the coil will go on the left of the set as seen from the front.   The leaflet shows the valve mounted centrally in the slot, but in order to place this large home-made coil in the correct position, it would be necessary to shift the valve well to the right as seen from the front of the set.
 
Components, vintage:   Geoff Davies Radio, (tel: 01788 574774, email: geoffdavies337 (at) gmail dot com) sells a good selection of valves, vintage components, sundries and radio books.   He also often has interesting items of equipment that could serve as projects in their own right.   No web site, but you can subscribe to his monthly list.
 
Control Knobs:   The annual National Vintage Communications Fair (q.v.) is a useful source, as also is ebay.
 
ebay:   https://www.ebay.co.uk/   What would we do without ebay?   You can find just about anything on ebay if you keep looking, and I have had extraordinarily good service from many sellers who understand what they are selling.   Some sellers do not.   In the case of components, this often means that the seller is unable to say whether the item is in working order.   For books, there is often no information about which edition of a work is on sale, or (worse) incorrect information.   Caveat emptor!
 
Headphones:
 
  These always seem to be on offer on ebay, but sellers sometimes don't understand what they are selling and have not tested them.   It can take several attempts to buy a satisfactory pair, and knowledgeable sellers such as those at the National Vintage Communications Fair (q.v.) may be a safer bet.   Test a pair by putting them on, and connecting a 1.5v cell across the leads; a healthy crackle should result.
 
Maplin:   Went into administration on 28 February 2018.   Web site now appears to be inoperative.
 
National Vintage
Communications Fair:
  See Retrotech UK.

 
Pantry transmitter:   See AM broadcast decline.

 
Resistors:   Several ebay suppliers have stocks of vintage "new old stock" resistors.
 
Retrotech UK:   https://www.retrotechuk.com/   Held every May at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, and open to all, this one-day event, formerly known as the National Vintage Communications Fair, is staged by the British Vintage Wireless Society (q.v.)   It must be one of the best opportunities to buy vintage equipment, parts and reference material.
 
Sleeving:   The old yellow "Systoflex" sleeving seems to be available no longer.   I made vintage-look sleeving by stripping out the centre strands from white nylon pull-cord, then painting it with knotting varnish.   Geoff Davies Radio (see Components, vintage) stocks 2mm bore black vintage-look sleeving, useful when you want to cover a joint mid-way along a wire run, but rather big for general use.
 
Transformers:   https://www.transformers.uk.com/   The Majestic Transformer Co can manufacture custom mains and output transformers for valve-based sets.
 
Transistor data:   https://alltransistors.com/   Datasheets for all types of transistor.
 
Transistors:   https://www.langrex.co.uk/   Langrex have a wide range of new-old-stock semiconductor devices.   They sell on ebay as "yitry".
 
Tufnol sheet:   https://www.directplastics.co.uk stock Tufnol sheet in a variety of grades and thicknesses.   The modern equivalent of Paxolin.
 
UK Vintage Radio Repair and
Restoration Forum:
  https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/index.php   Invaluable source of information and advice on all aspects of vintage radio.   Threads detailing useful suppliers, components and equipment wanted or on offer, basic and not-so-basic technical issues.   Some very funny and entertaining threads too!
 
Valve data:   The National Valve Museum at http://www.r-type.org/index.htm is a "virtual" collection of valve data, photos and articles covering theory and practice.   Another good source of valve info is https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_searchtubes.cfm.
 
Valves:   Most types still seem to be available as "new old stock" via ebay.   Langrex (see Transistors) sell on ebay as "yitry".
 
Valveholders:   From ebay sellers, Geoff Davies Radio (see Components, vintage), or at Retrotech UK (q.v.).
 
Wander plugs and
socket strips:
  The traditional 1/8" wander plugs and paired sockets are hard to find now - the National Vintage Communications fair (q.v.) is perhaps the best chance.   See My Rebuilt Studio ‘E’ Set for how I fabricated my own paired sockets from 1/16" Tufnol and sheet brass.   Several ebay suppliers stock the modern 3mm or 4mm "banana" plugs and single sockets.
 
Wire, connecting:   Tinned copper wire can be salvaged from old stranded house-wiring cable.   Other alternatives are 15 amp fuse wire (expensive, though), or insulated equipment wire.
 
Wood screws:   Brass screws are good to use where appearance is important, but it is always a good idea to form the thread in the wood with an equivalent steel screw first, so as to avoid the risk of shearing-off the brass screw.

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Suppliers do change their lines, so please check with them before ordering.   I would be glad to receive your contributions (suppliers, sources, ideas, dodges) for inclusion on this page.