The PHILCO Phorum
Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Printable Version

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Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radio37 - 07-20-2017

Please help me identify a Philco Console Radio that I inhereted after my grandmother passed away.  As far as anyone in the family can tell me, the radio has always been in the basement of her house.  I found a marking on radio component "31-1970R" so I am assuming it was built in 1931.  I have not been able to find any info on this model online yet. 

Any help is much appreciated!  Thanks!

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - KCMike - 07-20-2017

Welcome to Phorum. Looks like it could be this one or one of the similar model chassis that used this cabinet.
http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1938a/#Model_38-9K

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - klondike98 - 07-20-2017

Welcome to the Phorum!
Icon_wave

That cabinet style appears in 1938 models but the bottom center knob is in a different position than the link below. The number you found is just the chassis number, not the model.

See our Phorum Gallery:
http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1938a/#Model_38-9K

There are a number of models on the 1938 page with that style. I'm sure someone will chime in with the right model #.

edit...I see Mike chimed in while I was typing...

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Nathan Slingerland - 07-20-2017

Welcome to the Phorum!

It dates from June 1937 (1938 model year):
http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1938a

That looks like it should be one of the following models:
38–9K, 38-23K, 38–38K, 38–39K, 38–40K, 38–89K, 38–630K & 38–2630K

There would have an originally been a model sticker on the back. The number you found (31-1970R) is the part number for the tuning condenser.

It has three tuning bands (AM plus two shortwave). No shadow meter. I see 5 tubes - any empty sockets?
I don't see a power transformer on it - but I think there is an AC power cord, so not a battery only set (or it has been converted).

Hmmmm....something doesn't add up. I must be missing something.

[Update: we were all typing at the same time I guess. Icon_smile]

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radio37 - 07-20-2017

See additional photos attached.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - klondike98 - 07-20-2017

I think its got a 37-610, 37-620, 37-630 or 37-640 chassis in it and the holes in the cabinet for knobs looks original so I wonder if it was a "use up the previous year's chassis" situation.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radio37 - 07-20-2017

Thanks for all the quick responses!  Lots of knowledge here on the Phorum.  1938 model.  I don't have any history on the unit so don't know if it was ever retrofitted to be AC only, but I assume the wiring is original.

I plan to restore the exterior of the unit and am debating if it's worth rebuilding the components or just install new audio equipment hidden inside the old unit.  I'm sure people have gone both ways with these old consoles....

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Nathan Slingerland - 07-20-2017

Bob - don't all of the 37-610/37-620/37-630/37-640 chassis have power transformers?

And check out 'Philco Console Radio 6.pdf' - what's that cylindrical deal hanging out on the speaker?

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radioroslyn - 07-20-2017

Looks to be a 37-611 chassis.
> what's that cylindrical deal hanging out on the speaker?
Ugly replacement for #55.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Nathan Slingerland - 07-20-2017

Nice job Terry! It sure looks like you're right.

37-611T restoration thread:
http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=13054

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - WallaceRoger - 07-20-2017

That's a beautiful cabinet.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Nathan Slingerland - 07-20-2017

Radio37- regarding the restoration:

Quote:I plan to restore the exterior of the unit and am debating if it's worth rebuilding the components or just install new audio equipment hidden inside the old unit. I'm sure people have gone both ways with these old consoles....

The cabinet looks to be in really great condition from the front. It's not perfect, but it's very presentable and appears to be original. Is there damage not shown in the photos? If it were my radio I would just clean it (GoJo hand cleaner - the non pumice version - works great for this) and if there were minor scratches I'd wipe it down with something like Howard's Restore-A-Finish. Those two things can really bring an older finish to life.

As for the electronics - most folks here on the Phorum like to keep and restore the original electronics. It's usually not that difficult to do, but does require learning about the process. Lots of great resources and help here on the Phorum for that. In my personal opinion much of the charm of an old radio comes from seeing the tubes glow and waiting for it to warm up, tune in a station, etc. It is however somewhat common to add a bluetooth or other aux input for playing content other than AM radio.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radio37 - 07-20-2017

Thanks for all the input everyone!  I'll have to do some homework on the electronics side of things before trying to tackle that part of the restoration. 

For the exterior, is there a preferred type of Howard Restor-A-Finish?  I'm not sure what type of wood veneer this unit has.  Any ideas what works best?  Walnut?  Oak?

Also, anyone have any pointers for repairing/replacing the grill screen? That appears to be the most damaged part of the whole unit.

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Nathan Slingerland - 07-20-2017

There are modern reproductions of some Philco grille cloth - but unfortunately the one on your radio isn't one of them. So the choice is either live with it as is (it might look better if you could put some gold colored cloth behind the thin portion) - or replace it with something similar. Radio Daze (http://www.radiodaze.com) and Richmond Designs (http://www.richmonddesignsinc.com/grille_cloth_product_page) are the main places for reproduction grille cloth that I'm aware of. Maybe http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-02-item-grc02/ is the best match? If you do replace it there might be someone interested in the old grille cloth here since there's a pretty large section that is not torn - could be used on a smaller radio.

For Howards I use the walnut color - most of Philco's cabinets are Walnut. In the case of your radio we can look to the original 1938 Philco Sales Catalog description for a model that used the same cabinet to be sure - 38-9K (it's not totally clear why your has a 37-611 chassis in it - sometimes Philco mixed and matched beyond what their catalog listed).

   

RE: Philco Console Radio Identification Help! - Radio37 - 07-20-2017

You guys all rock!  I had no idea I'd be able to get my questions answered so quickly and easily.  Thanks so much!  I'll post progress pictures as I go about this resto-mod.