Philco 15DX restoration - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Philco Radio Discussions (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Philco Electronic Restoration (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Thread: Philco 15DX restoration (/showthread.php?tid=4706)

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Mondial - 07-09-2014

There is a guy on ebay selling all paper speaker cones, in 8", 10" and 12" sizes. He usually sell them in lots of 10, but probably can be persuaded to sell in lower quantities. I bought some of the 10" size and they are a perfect match for 30's speakers, like the one used in my Zenith 6-S-52.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-PACK-8-ALL-PAPER-SEAMED-SPEAKER-CONE-FENDER-JENSEN-UTAH-WEBER-ALL-PAPER-/181246875681?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a3327d821

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-SPEAKER-CONE-ALL-PAPER-SEAMED-FENDER-JENSEN-WEBER-CELESTION-EMINENCE-/181246895004?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a3328239c

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Philco281989 - 07-09-2014

Bob, nice restoration so far, I enjoy your Youtube radio restorations. I dont think there was any sort of shield for the bulb that sits underneath the chassis. My 15X has the wooden shield looking thing just like yours has.

Also could you please tell me what type of bulb and watt size you are using for your 15DX. My bulb is missing.

Thanks

Jon

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Phlogiston - 07-09-2014

Your Mershons are the kind originally used. They are just missing the push on cap.

If I could find a way to make that thin walled cap (rounded with vent holes) A whole new replacement could be made since the body is no problem.

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Arran - 07-10-2014

It's debatable how much of a bargain those speaker cones would be, the 8'' ones would work out to $4.50 each, plus he wants $20 to ship them which is a B.S rate since 10 paper cones weight next to nothing, he calls it a "Customs rate". On the 12'' cones, which are $5 each, he wants $20 to ship one cone, I hope that was a mistake on his part? If this is some sort of extra charge, on top of the shipping, to fill out a few boxes on a little 3''x4'' customs sticker he can get stuffed.
Regards
Arran

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Phlogiston - 07-10-2014

They don't look like the originals anyway, which is the only reason that I would pay that much for them. The foam roll replacements are only around 50 cents and the cone looks more original. If you can make the paper suspension the foam comes off easily.

Here is a cone I made. Later ones came out better.

   

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Bob Andersen - 07-10-2014

Jon - go back to the first page of this long thread and you'll see the bulb I'm using. It's a 25W Westinghouse item# 03716.

http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=4706

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Arran - 07-11-2014

Also if you don't feel like making a paper surround/hinge, you can also use chamois leather, Stromberg Carlson and some other makes used to use it.
Regards
Arran

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Bob Andersen - 07-11-2014

I think I'll give chamois a try on this Rola speaker
[Image: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7847851888_a7417dc99a_z.jpg]

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Phlogiston - 07-11-2014

Yes it will work well. If that one were mine I would make a new cone too. Making a cone is both harder and easier than it looks. The hard part is getting the math right. Not a speaker cone, but getting the pitch and hole positions correct on the speaker grill support for Mae West's left - well - speaker, took me half a day. The easy part is all of the rest. Once the cone has the right pitch and depth, everything else is no problem. 'Corse I have done a few. I also recommend good old fashioned Elmers, used like contact cement. Apply to both surfaces wait just the right time and push together.

P.S. I have put some pictures of our 15X restoration on our site/BLOG which will include restoring the finish, rather than duplicate this thread.

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Bob Andersen - 07-11-2014

Wow! You did a great job restoring that chassis to a stock appearance

That reminds me - Here's a photo gallery of another 15DX in excellent condition. One of only a couple others I know to exist. https://www.flickr.com/photos/110865909@N03/sets/72157638450737226/

I sure hope I can get mine looking that nice someday! I see it has a connector on the speaker cable so it must be a later production run. The shadow meter is a different design too and it was recapped long ago like your 15X.

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Bob Andersen - 07-11-2014

My order arrived just in time for the weekend! I think I have enough new rubber for all my Philcos now
[Image: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14445264647_e6b7bd9fe5_c.jpg]

---

RE: Philco 15DX restoration - Bob Andersen - 12-27-2021

It's been a while since I posted an update. 

I installed new grille cloth. 
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/5636/22742093561_65233e6228_z.jpg]

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/574/22184776353_77875b763f_c.jpg]

Then spent forever on the tambour doors.
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/5719/22828134782_cde9861835_c.jpg]

I carefully sanded down the top layer of old finish and applied new lacquer. Repeated until level.
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/5680/22449505269_198e0a2c22_c.jpg]

I ended up using grain filler on the little pieces. More sanding using paper wrapped around a dowel. More lacquer. More sanding...
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/5648/23144403062_ab4190fe99_c.jpg]

Finally, a light coat of Mohawk Medium Brown Walnut and clear gloss lacquer. The color difference with the original finish was more than I expected.
Has the old finish faded or was Medium Brown Walnut not the right color?

We moved to a new house a few years ago. Once I setup a large space for refinishing, I'll do the rest of the cabinet in a similar manner and get the colors to match,
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/4366/37343772171_052cab11f8_c.jpg]

---