Hey, all. I recently purchased a fascinating reprint of a 1924 how-to book of (then) top-of-the-line radio designs. I intend to build the "improved 4-circuit tuner," but a couple things are holding me back; namely, the components. The schematic and parts list call for "vernier variable condensers" and "grid-densers," etc. The little I know about electronics is enough to tell me that many of these parts either no longer exist or are now called something else. So...I'm wondering if anyone here has any special knowledge in translating old parts list items into modern english or knows of a modern supplier of repro or NOS parts like the ones I'm looking for. If anyone would be willing to help, I'd really appreciate it. I'm new to this fascinating world of old radios but I'm itching to dive in! Thanks in advance,

Zach

Hi,
The vernier variable condensor can be applied to really 2 different styles of tuning condenser.
1, The condenser merely has a reduction drive rather than a mere straight tuning shaft out the front of the radio. Marco dials, and Pilot dials accomplish this.

2, There is a second small value tuning condenser that is actually a "band spreader", something akin to the trimmers on more modern equipment, but made to be regularly adjusted. This will appear on the schematic as a second small tuning condeser.

The "griddensor" is most likely a Grid leak condensor and resistor combination. (.001Ufd with a resistor from about 250K to 5 meg) Lower resistance reduces selectivity, but increases sensitivity.

The best place to find this stuff consistently is Ebay. Otherwise, garage sales and fleamarkets.

: Hey, all. I recently purchased a fascinating reprint of a 1924 how-to book of (then) top-of-the-line radio designs. I intend to build the "improved 4-circuit tuner," but a couple things are holding me back; namely, the components. The schematic and parts list call for "vernier variable condensers" and "grid-densers," etc. The little I know about electronics is enough to tell me that many of these parts either no longer exist or are now called something else. So...I'm wondering if anyone here has any special knowledge in translating old parts list items into modern english or knows of a modern supplier of repro or NOS parts like the ones I'm looking for. If anyone would be willing to help, I'd really appreciate it. I'm new to this fascinating world of old radios but I'm itching to dive in! Thanks in advance,

: Zach

Zack,
Those original style parts may be a little hard to find,but with the internet auction sites these days, things turn up with regularity.
As John has said the vernier is just a variable condenser(or capacitor) with a mechanical gear which made precise tuning easier by turning the plates slowly.
Any more modern variable cap will do the same electrically, as long as it covers the picofarad range called for.
The grid densors can be found at radio shack and you could test the "questions/answers" motto by asking for some..
However, when most people take up an old-time project reproduction, it is done exactly as it would have been built at the time, so it really isnt a reproduction--it is the real thing. It doesnt have to be (to work) though, depends on the level you want.
With a project like that, finding the parts made during the time period will be a large part of it.
Good luck.

: Hey, all. I recently purchased a fascinating reprint of a 1924 how-to book of (then) top-of-the-line radio designs. I intend to build the "improved 4-circuit tuner," but a couple things are holding me back; namely, the components. The schematic and parts list call for "vernier variable condensers" and "grid-densers," etc. The little I know about electronics is enough to tell me that many of these parts either no longer exist or are now called something else. So...I'm wondering if anyone here has any special knowledge in translating old parts list items into modern english or knows of a modern supplier of repro or NOS parts like the ones I'm looking for. If anyone would be willing to help, I'd really appreciate it. I'm new to this fascinating world of old radios but I'm itching to dive in! Thanks in advance,

: Zach