Hey Guys:

I just went out today to buy some BIG rolls of SPT-1 wire. I got a good price for brown ( i.e.lamp cord )
from Home Depot. Many of the radios I have use just this color but some use black!! Should I go to the extra length and expense of getting black SPT-1 to make the radio restoration absolutely authentic?
In other words should I do my restoration keeping the same power wire color as the factory used?

OR should I just lose the rest of my mind for being so fussy!

Your thoughts
Lou

:Hey Guys:
:
:I just went out today to buy some BIG rolls of SPT-1 wire. I got a good price for brown ( i.e.lamp cord )
:from Home Depot. Many of the radios I have use just this color but some use black!! Should I go to the extra length and expense of getting black SPT-1 to make the radio restoration absolutely authentic?
:In other words should I do my restoration keeping the same power wire color as the factory used?
:
:OR should I just lose the rest of my mind for being so fussy!
:
:Your thoughts
:Lou

Did the factory have any reason to use black? They probably used it because it was cheaper than brown. I would use the brown and forget about it. Have a drinky-poo and relax.
Lewis
:

Anyone with any other thougts?

Lou

::Hey Guys:
::
::I just went out today to buy some BIG rolls of SPT-1 wire. I got a good price for brown ( i.e.lamp cord )
::from Home Depot. Many of the radios I have use just this color but some use black!! Should I go to the extra length and expense of getting black SPT-1 to make the radio restoration absolutely authentic?
::In other words should I do my restoration keeping the same power wire color as the factory used?
::
::OR should I just lose the rest of my mind for being so fussy!
::
::Your thoughts
::Lou
:
:
:
:
:
:Did the factory have any reason to use black? They probably used it because it was cheaper than brown. I would use the brown and forget about it. Have a drinky-poo and relax.
:Lewis
::
:
:

I use brown wire line cord.

Norm

:Anyone with any other thougts?
:
:
:Lou
:
:::Hey Guys:
:::
:::I just went out today to buy some BIG rolls of SPT-1 wire. I got a good price for brown ( i.e.lamp cord )
:::from Home Depot. Many of the radios I have use just this color but some use black!! Should I go to the extra length and expense of getting black SPT-1 to make the radio restoration absolutely authentic?
:::In other words should I do my restoration keeping the same power wire color as the factory used?
:::
:::OR should I just lose the rest of my mind for being so fussy!
:::
:::Your thoughts
:::Lou
::
::
::
::
::
::Did the factory have any reason to use black? They probably used it because it was cheaper than brown. I would use the brown and forget about it. Have a drinky-poo and relax.
::Lewis
:::
::
::
:
:

My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)

I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.

I like to use a good 2 - conductor cord and then pick an end plug that would have been the type in use at the time of manufacture of the radio. Looks like for now I will stick with brown, SPT-1. (Don't I have a way of making things complicated? My picky nature).

Lou

:My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
:
:I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
:

:My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
:
:I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
:

Be cautious of using cheap extension cords, particularly the dollar store variety. I have heard of instances where they melt down. I have also heard the insulation is made of an inferior material and will not hold up well over time, particularly if exposed to heat (like often found under radio chassis).

I do not have personal experience as I opted not to take the risk based on the reports I heard.

Richard

::My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
::
::I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
::
:
:Be cautious of using cheap extension cords, particularly the dollar store variety. I have heard of instances where they melt down. I have also heard the insulation is made of an inferior material and will not hold up well over time, particularly if exposed to heat (like often found under radio chassis).
:
:I do not have personal experience as I opted not to take the risk based on the reports I heard.
:
:Richard
:
guess it depends on how acurate you whant the set to look. nothing wrong with that. i also have used the extession cords from my local hardware store. only if i want a polerized plug for saftey.

OK. I agree, you can find a variety of quality with regards to insulation. Mostly, it is some kind of vinyl.

If the original cord and plug are good, I will 'polarize' the plug with a small piece of white electrical tape on the neutral side. My radios don't get very hot, because they rest on shelves as a rule. ;>)

I've haven't had any problems with dollar store extension cords. Just cut off one end.

There could be a melt down problem when drawing high current. Most radios draw under 1 amp.

Norm

::My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
::
::I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
::
:
:Be cautious of using cheap extension cords, particularly the dollar store variety. I have heard of instances where they melt down. I have also heard the insulation is made of an inferior material and will not hold up well over time, particularly if exposed to heat (like often found under radio chassis).
:
:I do not have personal experience as I opted not to take the risk based on the reports I heard.
:
:Richard
:

Interesting topic gentlemen:

For this receiver (a Farnsworth ET-066) I opted to cut down an existing black cord ( Panasonic power cord with 2 pin connector at one end - I have a million of em ) . It has a molded AC plug and I will justify that since the set was made post - WWII and molded plugs were possible. If it was a mid-thirties set I would have cut off the molded end and added a period plug (say a round black type with screw terminals). Guess I am a stickler for accuracy.

When the "lab" makes some $$ I will invest in more wire colors. I am reminded of Henry Ford when he said " You can have it in any color, as long as it is black".

For this set I have ordered three 12SK7 tubes (one for the set - two for the lab) from Bob Dobush - an excellent supplier.

Thanks Guys
Lou

Lou

:I've haven't had any problems with dollar store extension cords. Just cut off one end.
:
:There could be a melt down problem when drawing high current. Most radios draw under 1 amp.
:
:Norm
:
:
:::My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
:::
:::I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
:::
::
::Be cautious of using cheap extension cords, particularly the dollar store variety. I have heard of instances where they melt down. I have also heard the insulation is made of an inferior material and will not hold up well over time, particularly if exposed to heat (like often found under radio chassis).
::
::I do not have personal experience as I opted not to take the risk based on the reports I heard.
::
::Richard
::
:
:

PS Taking it one more step

I also checked Radio Shack. They sell CL2 speaker wire ( Cat# 276-1106 - 100 FT/22.49 ) which is exactly like Zip Cord. I checked with an electrician I know and he said this is an ecceptable type to use for AC line in these small appliances ( NOT for Toaster Ovens - ha!!).I had to check on it since it is not marked SPT-1 it is marked CL2 and maybe the insulation ratings could have been different but they are OK.

Lou

:I've haven't had any problems with dollar store extension cords. Just cut off one end.
:
:There could be a melt down problem when drawing high current. Most radios draw under 1 amp.
:
:Norm
:
:
:::My 1950 Westinghouse clock radio has a white cord. :>)
:::
:::I like to use the extension cords with molded polarized plugs on them. They come in 3 colors and cost a couple of bucks each.
:::
::
::Be cautious of using cheap extension cords, particularly the dollar store variety. I have heard of instances where they melt down. I have also heard the insulation is made of an inferior material and will not hold up well over time, particularly if exposed to heat (like often found under radio chassis).
::
::I do not have personal experience as I opted not to take the risk based on the reports I heard.
::
::Richard
::
:
: