The PHILCO Phorum

I am fairly new to radio restoration and have only restored one so far. I picked this Philco 296 up for $5 recently. The cabinet is in really rough shape and there is plenty of rust but it all seems to be there minus the knobs. I got lucky in that all the tubes save the type 80 rectifier were there though I presently have no way to test them. The phonograph pickup tested good but will require new rubber. I have learned a decent amount about Philcos by watching joernones videos on Youtube and plan on getting the schematic set from philcorepairbench.com when I can afford it.

$5? Nice find. I'm still working on my first radio myself, so I don't completely know what I'm up against yet, but I'd think that you'll almost certainly come out ahead on the project--I'm sure there's at least $5 worth of entertainment in that alone! Congrats on finding one as complete as you did.

I have a more standard version of a Philco 96, or a 95, I'm not 100% sure as the part of the tube shield with the model number plate is missing. I have not performed an electrical restoration on mine yet but have done some cabinet work, it was almost as bad as what you have in some ways, in some ways worse. It's a set well worth fixing, the model 96 had the best chassis of the 1930 model year, not terribly valuable (not many late 20s early 30s consoles are) but they are good performers I am told. The 296 is much rarer then the typical 96 so it has that going for it, I would restore it if you can.
The cabinet isn't that great but it is restorable, but it will have to be dismantled and likely need all of the cabinet joints reglued and the worst parts replaced by using the originals as templates. The only major part missing is the bottom drawer so you will need to look at an intact one to use as a pattern. It also looks like the legs have delaminated and had part of the turnings fall off. It is a major project and not one that I would recommend unless you have experience with cabinet making or repairing furniture.
Regards
Arran

(05-03-2012, 05:23 PM)Arran Wrote: [ -> ]I have a more standard version of a Philco 96, or a 95, I'm not 100% sure as the part of the tube shield with the model number plate is missing. I have not performed an electrical restoration on mine yet but have done some cabinet work, it was almost as bad as what you have in some ways, in some ways worse. It's a set well worth fixing, the model 96 had the best chassis of the 1930 model year, not terribly valuable (not many late 20s early 30s consoles are) but they are good performers I am told. The 296 is much rarer then the typical 96 so it has that going for it, I would restore it if you can.
The cabinet isn't that great but it is restorable, but it will have to be dismantled and likely need all of the cabinet joints reglued and the worst parts replaced by using the originals as templates. The only major part missing is the bottom drawer so you will need to look at an intact one to use as a pattern. It also looks like the legs have delaminated and had part of the turnings fall off. It is a major project and not one that I would recommend unless you have experience with cabinet making or repairing furniture.
Regards
Arran

Agree: not an ideal candidate for first timers. But if you're not in a rush, can be made right. I think I would like to get a schematic and test out the transformer windings and tubes to see if there are any show stoppers, and also get a picture of what the cabinet should look like and then decide what to do next. Don't plug it in, whatever you do.

The schematic is in riders volume 1 page 30. and if only 1 of the #45 tubes is good, you have quadrupled your investment.

An awesome first buy!

Photo of a nice one here:

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1930a.htm#e

Congratulations on your find! Yes, it needs work, but with time, effort and patience, it can be brought back.

Agree with all, it is an uncommon set, the price was right, and it has potential. Good for you!

(05-03-2012, 06:14 PM)Ron Ramirez Wrote: [ -> ]Photo of a nice one here:

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1930a.htm#e

Congratulations on your find! Yes, it needs work, but with time, effort and patience, it can be brought back.

That's a nice looking set, sort of a mix of elements between the highboy and lowboy cabinets in the millwork. My 95/96 has the more common lowboy cabinet, I will have to compare the schematics to figure out which one it is. The speaker socket is in the top of the chassis but the plug looks like one found on a 90, a 70, or even my 3118, it has three fat pins and one skinny one.
Regards
Arran

The only part I see being a real challenge is the woodworking. However, I am a quick learner and great with directions so Getting that sorted out shouldn't be that bad. Though I'm not sure where I'll go to have the parts made that I need. I still need to test the transformers. I'm a little closer to having my tube tester functional but being broke is keeping me from getting the resistors, etc I need to fix it. All in good time.

You are in the right place for Philco info! Also make sure to check out the philcorepairbench.com site. There you can buy for a nominal price large, excellent quality schematics and technical info specifically for your set.

When Steve Davis is able to again work on cabinets, I strongly recommend him for an cabinet pieces that you might need.