Started out on the chassis a few days ago and a bunch of caps, resistors, an output transformer, 6A7, and a 75 later. It's playing well did the IF and RF alignment (was way out). Got it working just in time to tune in War of the Worlds from 1938 being broadcasted at 900 CHML. Still haven't found the cones so it sounds awful.
I listened to the "War of the Worlds" on Zoomer Radio last night!
After an exhaustive search I found the cones hiding in plain sight. Suffice it to say that tightness and organization aren't my strong suit. Here's some pics so far...
The recone didn't go quite like I thought it would after futzzing around w/it was able to get it working nicely. Had to add a cardboard spacer between the edge of the cone and the basket. Cone was too deep. Use a bit of hot glue to stick it together. Works nice as it can carefully be pealed off to realign parts if needed. Could have sent over to Rich but I thought I'd give it a try. Parts where inexpensive, a few dollars and a hour two. Saved the waiting time of sending it out and getting it back. Set has been playing happily Cousin Brucie show out of NY for the last several hours...
Just got my speaker back from him.
He's good people.
And works fast.
I've got a 10 1/2" 16B speaker to send over the bridge.
Hi Terry - Did you do anything about the foil dial face? I have an Emerson with the same situation.
Rod
Hi Rod,
Sorry I missed your post. No I don't think there is any solution other than to replace it w/an original.I have seen printed ones (for the Philco ) but they are kinda pricey and look dull/no reflectivity. Rather save the $ and put it towards a parts set or a foil dial than buy something I don't like. As far as I've seen no one is doing the dial in gold colored foil.
Yes, it seems the gold foil was popular. Too bad someone can't reproduce the originals reasonably.
Honestly with printing tech I am surprised no one has done a foil type sticker. The stock could be a gold foil type like a label type, think Vista Print and I am sure the rest could be done pretty easy.
Paul
If you have patience and don’t mind spending some time your dial might be able to be made acceptable. The dial face on my 38-14 which I believe is the same as your 38-17, was also in very bad shape:
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First, I cleaned the foil with soap and water and then alcohol to get as much dirt and stains off as I could without damaging the foil. Then I used gold leaf which is a very thin sheet of real gold that you can get at craft stores and applied two layers of it with a magnifier and tweezers. next I gently pressed the foil into the cardboard backing which still has the imprint of the old foil pattern which transferred the pattern to the new gold foil.
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Next, I touched up the dial with gold leaf and dark brown paint and gave it a light clear acrylic coating to bring out the shine.
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For a practical restoration, although not like new, I think it look fine. I don’t know of any other alternatives unless, as Paul Philco322 says, someone does the artwork and gets new ones printed up.
Steve D
Tnx for the cleaver tip. The 38-15 and 17 share the same dial but the sw coverage is different on the 14. I'm not sure what shape the cardboard is in if the embossing is still usable. Will add a thin piece of plastic over it to protect it from the pointer.