The 1950's Geo. Stevens Model 210B Handguided
Pickup Coil Winder
The 210B handguided winder before restoration
Awhile back I got a most interesting email...
It seems a Ham radio operator died and left behind an
incredible collection of old
school radio equipment, including this early 1950's Geo.
Stevens Model 210B
handguided radio coil winder.
His family found Angeltone in a Google search on Geo. Stevens
coil winders, and
decided to see if I would be interested in buying it. I was,
but I admit I was really
more interested in what is in front of it in the photo - an
almost complete set of the
"unobtainium" traverse gears for my 'other' Stevens model 210B
coil winder!
When I finally got it home, it was in a serious world of hurt.
The original motor (shown below) was totally burned out, the
main bearings were junk,
and the wooden base was soaked in oil from the winder's
leaking oiling system
and burnt insulating varnish from the motor. Worst of all, the
original 'clock type'
turn counter could only count 250 maximum turns!
Despite all this, I saw its potential and decided to totally
rebuild it.
The photo is how the winder's AC motor was originally
controlled - a Variac
to control the motor speed and the switch mounted to the box
at top
controls the motor's direction. Unfortunately, like I said the
motor
was totally ruined and parts for this winder are impossible to
find.
The mechanical restoration was relatively easy, but there
were many issues that could
only be solved with modern technology. For example, the
original AC powered motor was
custom made for the winder and repairing it alone cost more
than the whole winder did,
so it was replaced with a modern DC
motor and speed/direction control system
that can either be hand or foot controlled.
Also, the original 'clock face' turns counter's looks
may have been iconic but it could only
count 250 maximum turns, and the winder needed to
count from 4000 to over 10000 turns per coil!
The
counter was replaced by a Red Lion digital turn
counter and infrared optical sensor system.
The winder was then finished with a
lighted magnifier for working with very fine
wire (not shown)
and a new
Formica covered base and combination handrest and
coil wire pretensioner.
Ken was going to repaint it, but decided not to
because it just looks like it's been
used forever... maybe because it was. It must be the
artist in him,
but he thinks it's beautiful just the way it is.
This is what an actual Angeltone
pickup looks like during a wind from the winder's point
of view.
This winder was designed so the winder can see
everything they need to see at the same time
and still be able to concentrate on winding the pickup.
At the bottom center of the photo you can see the 42
gauge heavy Formvar
insulated wire being wound onto this bobbin!
If you have any parts or information for any vintage Geo.
Stevens coil winders
and would like to sell please email us at findyourtone@angeltone.com