The PHILCO Phorum

Hi Folks.
Has anybody ever seen this Grille Cloth used in a Philco in the USA.?

What was it from?

Hi Willie (Hotwire)!

That does not look like any USA Philco cloth pattern that I have ever seen...

Oh, since this topic is about grille cloth, which is associated with cabinet restoration, I have moved it to Philco Cabinet Restoration.

Hi Ron.
It is off the Philco 98 series 2 (export) we discussed a while back.
I am about to update that post with a new development.
I have just acquired another 98. this time a series 1.
Both cabinets are the same apart from the through front stud bolts on the series 1.
At This stage I am concluding that the cabinets were made in the UK.
The grill Cloth is exactly the same in both the 98 series 1 and 2.
So I am thinking that if the grille cloth is absent from the US . That is another indicator for UK manufacture of the cabinets.
Regards.
Willie.

Willie

Good point re: cloth being an indicator of the cabinet being made in the UK.

I would have expected the cloth in your 98B sets to look like the cloth in this 2620 I used to own:



I've seen photos of several different UK Philcos that used that cloth pattern. Like the one you posted a photo of, this cloth was also never used in USA models.

I thought I had seen a cloth pattern similar to that used in the 2620 recently, but now I can't remember where I saw it.

Edit: I just found it. The lines are much smaller than that used in the 2620 cloth, and the overall pattern is different, yet reminiscent of the original. (Maybe if the cloth were reversed?) Bret Menassa (Bret's Old Radios) is the seller. He does not currently list any of this pattern on eBay, but is selling a sample pack that includes it - the photo you first see in this ad is the cloth I am referring to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/300846538820

The grille cloth in that first picture, the one with the insect holes, looks like a type of grillecloth that I have seen in RCA sets, at least Canadian RCA sets.
Regards
Arran

Looks like my zenith cloth

That "weave" looks very similar right enough. In the back of my mind I am convinced that I have also seen the cloth used by philco in my photo on later amplifiers. I recall it in a green, silver and the above bronze colour.
I also recall that philco 2620 sporting the chevron patern cloth.
I have just finished fitting the cloth to the cabinet I have restored. Glue will be set in the morning so I will post a photo and welcome comments.

I am a member of some of the uk radio forums. I think I will start a thread there and see what info is around re the production of those cabinets in the uk philco plant. I will report back of course.

As a matter of interest. What is the most commonly sought after patern of philco grille cloth apart from chevron or those now being reproduced. ie. cloth patterns no longer being reproduced but in demand by restorers. ?
Regards all.
Willie.

Attached is the pattern I have fitted.

It is original early 1950s material Not Philco, "Murphy" I think.
Hope this is not an abomination to you wonderful philcophiles.

I will replace it if I ever come across the original pattern. "PROMISE"

I have PHILCO decals but after reading Ron,s piece on the Philco Fonts issue, I am now reluctant to fit the ones I have.

GUYS. Heres the Thing.

There is an enthusiastic talented young traditional weaver living close to me. She is examining whether or not to reproduce some original grille cloth patterns.

Your input as to what patterns are most needed would be very welcome.
Better to suggest those NOT already available from suppliers..

regards all.

Willie.

Willie

That cloth looks nice.

Here are some suggestions for Philco cloth that is no longer available, but should be:

1. Pattern #5. Used in the following Philco models:
1935: 38B, 39B, 60B, 66B, 84B (V2), 89B cathedrals; 18B, 32B, 34B, 49B, 66S, 97B, 118B, 144B tombstones; 54C and 59C (V2) table models.
1936: 38B (V1), 60B (V1), 89B (V1), 610B.



2. Pattern #13. Very similar to what was used in the 45C, 28C, 29CSX table models, possibly others.



3. Pattern #52. Used in Philco 20, Console Grand speaker table, 86, 511 Series consoles.



And finally, here's a neat 1935 pattern that was used in Philco cathedrals, tombstones, and consoles. This pattern was never reproduced by anyone.



(Photo furnished by Jeffrey Goldstein for the Philco Radio Gallery)

Those are my suggestions...

I would also suggest, for the UK Philcos, the pattern in the 2620B I posted in post #5 above.

Now as for the decals. The PHILCO decal as used on UK sets is unique to that region, and is different from the USA fonts. I am not aware of anyone who has ever reproduced that particular decal. There is basically no demand for it over here, for obvious reasons.

mmm.
very helpful.
I will come back to it if there are other responses from contributors or/and if there is success with the weaving.
Do you know how that numbering system came about.
Is it a philco or trade thing. Can the full list be viewed. ?

Attached a close up of the Decal, identical on both my cabinets and the ones I have Which as can be seen are somewhat different.

I am probably going over old ground here I suspect Ron.

Regards.
Willie.

Finally.

Afraid my plan re, producing repo grille clothe here wont work. We have been around the houses here with it and it seems that it requires a certain type of loom. Positive thing is that my weaver friend recon's that there are lots and lots of cCaft Weavers in the good ole USofA who are likely to be very interested in this kind of thing, so, perhaps, it is worth it for members of the forum to just ask the question if you come accross a weaver. No harm asking eh.
Sorry guys.

Will.