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Philco 551 clock question - Printable Version

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RE: Philco 551 clock question - grege - 03-30-2015

(03-30-2015, 07:03 PM)Ron Ramirez Wrote:  Let's look at some Philco Colonial Clocks with original hands.

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1932a.htm#g

This 551 has been refinished, but the clock hands are original.

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1932c.htm#l

My 80 Jr. Colonial Clock. The original clock motor was replaced by a Telechron movement long ago, and whoever did that added the red second hand. The original movement did not have a second hand.

I hate to say it, but your 551 was also stripped and refinished, and those are not the original finials.  The finish on my 80 Jr. is original, and the finials on both clocks I linked to are original as well.

None of the hands in the image you posted look exactly like the original, so you might as well use something you like. For what it's worth, the H1 hands in your image are similar to those used on the Philco grandfather clock radio.

I admit it Ron.  I really didn't know if the finals were original or not.  I just assumed they were.

I'm not really concerned that it has been stripped and refinished.  I like it and just want to have it because it was my dads.  Thanks for the info though.

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Ron Ramirez - 03-31-2015

Nothing wrong with that.

May I suggest one of the "silent" quartz movements with a sweep second hand? I find that constant "TICK - TICK - TICK" plus the accompanying jerky movement of the second hand on many battery-operated quartz movements to be quite annoying.

I installed one in a 1950s GE kitchen clock, the motor of which burned up. I carefully drilled the mounting holes of each of the original hands so they would fit the China-made movement, and put it all back together. Now, you can't tell anything was ever done to it; only the lack of an electric cord.

RE: Philco 551 clock question - grege - 03-31-2015

I like the idea of the continuous sweep second hand.  I think I will go that route.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Would you do a black second hand to match the black hands?

Also, I did some searching for another website that sold clock parts and found these hands.  Do they look pretty much like the originals?

RE: Philco 551 clock question - klondike98 - 03-31-2015

Yes those are closer to the originals.

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Ron Ramirez - 03-31-2015

Yes, those look like a closer match to the originals.

Regarding a second hand, that's up to you. Whoever converted my 80 Jr. to a Telechron movement added a red second hand, which looks good and is a great contrast to the black hour and minute hands, I think.

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Eliot Ness - 03-31-2015

Those hands will look good on your clock.  I also agree with Ron, if using a second hand go with a continuous sweep.

Size wise how will those new hands compare to what was originally used?


http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1932a.htm#g

Even if the size is off a little they'll look more original than the hands that are currently on it.  

RE: Philco 551 clock question - grege - 04-08-2015

I've got my clock all working with the quartz movement.  Love the continuous sweep of the second hand.  Attached is a picture. 

One of my knobs doesn't want to stay on.  After looking on the internet, it looks like the middle knob should be larger.  Mine are all 3 the same.  Is there a source for those?  I thought I had found one when I started on this but now I can't find it.  Thought I would go ahead and replace them while I'm at it if not too much money.

Thanks

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Eliot Ness - 04-08-2015

Those hands look good Icon_thumbup 

For original knobs try:

Julie McCall (email: radiopup at bell south dot net)

Mike Koste - Gobs of Knobs (email: gokmike at gmail dot com)


Reproduction knobs:


Edward Schutz - Renovated Radios (http://renovatedradios.com/parts.html)

RE: Philco 551 clock question - grege - 04-09-2015

(04-08-2015, 04:44 PM)Eliot Ness Wrote:  Those hands look good Icon_thumbup 

For original knobs try:

Julie McCall (email: radiopup at bell south dot net)

Mike Koste - Gobs of Knobs (email: gokmike at gmail dot com)


Reproduction knobs:


Edward Schutz - Renovated Radios (http://renovatedradios.com/parts.html)

Thanks John.  Edward's website was the one I had found and was looking for.

I'm real happy with how the hands turned out.  Love that I will have a working clock on my mantel.

BTW, sorry for the Cats loss from a Cards fan (I'm in Louisville).  Was hoping you guys brought the title back to Kentucky even though I would have to hear about your perfect season.  lol

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Ron Ramirez - 04-09-2015

(04-08-2015, 04:44 PM)Eliot Ness Wrote:  Those hands look good Icon_thumbup

+1. Yes indeed, those hour and minute hands look like the originals. Good job! Icon_thumbup

You know, between this thread and my experience with the GE kitchen clock I converted to battery with the sweep second hand mechanism...

I have two Philco grandfather clock radios. One is a very rare 52. The other has an 89 chassis, and I have not yet determined if the 89 was added in-house, or after the fact. In any event...it may be sacrilege, but I think I am going to install silent (sweep second hand) quartz mechanisms in both. The conversion is reversible, and a heck of a lot cheaper than finding two original spin start motors, then having them restored by someone.

RE: Philco 551 clock question - grege - 04-09-2015

These are the knobs I would need, correct?  2 medium and 1 large.  Even though I have 3 of the medium ones I am thinking of going ahead and replacing all 3 to make sure they match.

Philco Rosette Knobs (KPH-R)

http://renovatedradios.com/assets/images/Parts/Knobs/Philco_Rosette_knobs.JPG

RE: Philco 551 clock question - Ron Ramirez - 04-09-2015

Two medium and one large, correct.