First off a very well put together website. I picked up my first ever tube radio four days ago, and the amount of information listed on the site and within these Phorum Walls, makes me feel like I could change my name to Phil Philco. Ask thanks to all who make this fun. Ok enough brown nosing , i obviously need a favor haha
I picked up my very first tube radio a few days ago and am looking or some guidance from you established veterans of the game. It's a 1937 Philco model 37-620 CS (chairside) it's in decent shape on the outside and I see it as a cosmetic restoration project that I will do and than perhaps sell it to a good home for spmeone that would like to embark on the electrical restoration of it.
I know the basic info of the radio ie 3500 made only cs model I that year all the models in 37 were brand new etc. so what I'm looking for is any and all wisdom you may have on all things 37-620cs. Restoration hints, parts, possible value, proper trichina use an so I and so forth.
Thank you my new family, I'll await proper guidance. Cheers all!
First, Welcome.
Second, how are your electronic skills in general? Any? None? Some? Familiar with sch reading, basic soldering, basic electricals?
Now, assuming you know enough to be dangerous and can hold a soldering iron in your hands, you will need to
1. Remove everything, make sure your power cord is good and, using a variac or a table lamp (with incandescent bulb ) in series check if your transformer is good. If not, you might not choose to proceed.
2. recap the radio. Which means, replacing every single electrolytic and paper cap that is there. You can leave the mica caps (they are usually inside some cans so you won't see them unless you look for them).
3. Check resistors, replace those badly out of tolerance.
4. Once having recapped the radio and checked the wiring for shorts etc, you need to check your tubes.
5. Check your speaker, both field coil and the transformer.
6. Plug in, measure voltages, smoke test, try to pull in stations.
I dislike you already Phil,
I have been wanting one of those for a while........
It is a great radio and worth a couple hundred in good shape.
Send it to me and i'll fix her up....... and keep her
I cant help with your electronics but if you have to fix the cabinet, I'll help however I can.
Welcome!!
Kirk
Man i was so busy tryin to find the D**n flux capacitor that I must've overlooked everything you just told me haha ...your the reason this site is so impressive my friend. Everyone here wants to help out and provide guidance because we all have that love to bring nostalgia back to life.
Regarding the eletrical , I have no ph-reaking clue what you just said. I felt like a stockholder in candle companies when Ben franklin was trying to explain to him his theory of electricity. My soldering knowledge is in the field of plumbing but with the way you broke it down for
Me and my realization that most things in this world are generally simple i feel confident I could do it but Its not something is like to attempt on this piece. Are you interested in acquiring the radio with a finished cabinet to fix the innards that would complete the project?
Hey Kirk! I just saw your posting. Do you want the radio as a cabinet restore project? I have two of the sides sanded down and could use guidance as to refinishing it but inrather someone that appreciates it as much as you, do with her as he wants
No sanding!!!
Sanding is bad, lol
I would love to see pics if you could post them.
YOu are killing me, Now I really want it...
Unfortunately shipping this beast would not be cheap but I'll send you a message and we can chat about it.
If you were local to Long Island NY it would be heaven sent..
I think you should post on the cabinet repair forum and we all can guide you.
The electronics wizards here have guided me through a lot of hard parts of my restorations...
If you are in Jersey perhaps the New Jersey Antique Radio Club has some local folks to help on the electrics?
Paul
Welcome to the Phorum!!!
You're getting some great advice so go slow and ask questions. Some reading for beginners can be found
here and
here. Some resources for parts and components can be found
here.
The schematic is
here and
here.
That was a fast family gathering, lol
Kirk