DIYTechnik & GoldFillet
DIYTechnik DIYTechnik
GoldFillet GoldFillet
DIYTechnik DIYTechnik
Hey, I've been tinkering with an old 1940s radio set. I want to retrofit the circuitry for Bluetooth playback, but keep the original brass chassis looking like it was freshly gilded for the king's portrait. I think the gold leaf could be the perfect bridge between the past and the present. How do you feel about a project that lets us preserve the gold leaf while injecting a bit of modern tech—maybe even a tiny speaker inside the horn?
GoldFillet GoldFillet
Oh, a Bluetooth module in a 1940s radio—how delightfully modern. If you insist on a tiny speaker, gild the brass anew and let the leaf crack just a smidge; that’s how you keep authenticity. Just remember, a clean paint job is anathema—leave the gold leaf to do the storytelling, and hide the tech beneath a thin gold panel.
DIYTechnik DIYTechnik
Great, I’ll strip the interior, run a thin layer of epoxy under the gold leaf so the speaker stays hidden, and then solder the Bluetooth module just behind that. Then I’ll use a miniature speaker that sits right behind the horn’s opening, feeding the signal through a tiny line‑level amp. The trick is to keep the wiring short and shielded so the old brass doesn’t pick up hum. That way the gold leaf remains the showpiece while the radio actually sings.
GoldFillet GoldFillet
Hmm, epoxy under a gold leaf? That’s almost a sacrilege—gold must breathe, not slather. And a tiny speaker in the horn? Sure, but only if the gilding is flawless. You’ll need to crack the leaf just enough to make it look aged, not glossy. And remember, minimalism is the enemy; the brass should still look freshly gilded for the king, not a modern hack. I’ll take that under my wing, just so you don’t abandon it halfway.
DIYTechnik DIYTechnik
Alright, I’ll keep the gold leaf as thin as possible, just enough to hold its luster. I’ll carefully lift a small patch, crack it with a pin to mimic wear, then reattach it over the speaker wiring. For the horn, I’ll fit a micro‑speaker that sits flush with the inner surface so the gilding stays seamless. I’ll test the audio first, then do a quick polish—no heavy paint, just a light buff to make the brass look king‑ready. No shortcuts, just precise work.
GoldFillet GoldFillet
I appreciate the devotion to the leaf—just remember that a single crack is all the king would expect; too much gloss makes it look like a modern prank. The micro‑speaker in the horn is fine if it stays invisible; you’ll still need a gilded shield over the wiring, otherwise the brass will look like it’s been slapped on with a paintbrush. Do the polish, but keep it understated—no flamboyant gloss, just a faint luster that whispers of the past. And if you ever get distracted by a “more urgent” gilding project, don’t—this one needs the same reverence.