Hi fellow collectors,
I've a chance to pick up a Philco 118x console in my area, going cheap for around $30. Currently it's painted white which is sad, but I'm sure with some basic cabinet stripping it could be OK.
Opinions? Worth it?? Owner claims the chassis is complete and working
Hi Gary
The chassis alone is worth $30 easy...go for it!
I once had to restore a Model 84 cathedral that had been painted white. I know a local collector who is good a refinishing cabinets, so I let him deal with the white paint while I fixed the electronics. In this case, the white paint had been applied over the original finish, making it easier to strip off. Hopefully your 118 will be easy to strip, also.
Ron Ramirez Wrote:Hi Gary
The chassis alone is worth $30 easy...go for it!
I once had to restore a Model 84 cathedral that had been painted white. I have a local collector friend who is good a refinishing cabinets, so I let him deal with the white paint while I fixed the electronics. In this case, the white paint had been applied over the original finish, making it easier to strip off. Hopefully your 118 will be easy to strip, also.
My same thoughts as well, Ron. It reminds me of the 16x console I bought for $5 at the end of radiofest. I'm sure you are familar with the chassis it holds. The cabinet was also painted but painted over the finish so this has allot of potential.
I'll see if this local guy still has it. There's always room for another console, or is there?
Picked this up this weekend. Works well as is but I'm sure a recapping will be in order. Painted a real cheesy white but beginning to flake off and uncover the original finish underneath. On a good note this unit even has the original back in good condition. Should make a good project.
I have the 118MX version, nice radio well worth the money you spent on it.
Reading this is giving me incentive to rebuild my 118RX two piece chairside with separate speaker. It really looks like a decent set with triode connected 42s in class A. The speaker in this set is 12 inches but is a pemanent magnet type, sort of like a big version of their farm set speakers. I wonder if this speaker will sound as good as the electrodynamics in the other versions of the 118. They apparently learned not to run high voltage and AC power through the speaker connecting cable by this time as it is only two conductor line cord in this set.
Fred R
49Stude63 Wrote:I have the 118MX version, nice radio well worth the money you spent on it.
I always thought it was worth it but if your photos indicate what's underneath all that nasty white paint, it looks like an enjoyable set.