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1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Printable Version

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1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-19-2016

I just finished restoring a 1935 Aetna 251. A 4 tube TRF radio. I replaced all11 caps, all 5 resistors. I added a capacitor and a 0Ohm 25W resistor to the filament string and got rid of the resistance line cord. It still had all 4 original tubes in it. However the 25Z5 has 1 cathode short and I put in a Sylvania one till I can get an engraved Aristocrat 25Z5 tube. I added a fuse to the chassis and rewired the power cord so that the "hot" line is switched. This is a hot chassis.

The cabinet was stripped, grain filled, stained, toned, sealed and clear coated with Mohawk products. I replaced the worn and torn grille cloth with some needle point fabric.

This is a minimal performing radio!

I'll post the before pictures, then the the after pictures.

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_0960a_zpsfpvxdqtk.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_0963a_zpsitikfqqx.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_0970a_zpsftgjih6v.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_0972a_zpsddnwaixp.jpg]

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-19-2016

The after pictures.

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_2959a_zpstayi4ufg.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_2942a_zpsdwu8nmjl.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_2949a_zpsusbvzxam.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_2954a_zpszmu6dlbf.jpg]

[Image: http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/crigotti/1935%20Aetna%20251/100_2956a_zpsvsyzdojk.jpg]

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - KCMike - 03-19-2016

 Very nice Crist. I like that dial scale and grill work. The cabinet looks great. Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup
Good job on the electrical work also.

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Paul Philco322 - 03-19-2016

[Image: http://car54.homestead.com/gunny1.jpg]








Oooooh, Ooooh, very nice.

Paul

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - SteveG - 03-19-2016

Crist,
Beautiful job. Richmond Designs has that exact original speaker cloth. It's their Small Herringbone. It was used on tons of 30's radios. I have some and it's dead on to the original....
Steve

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - PhilcoJohn - 03-20-2016

Nice job! Cute little radio. How does it perform? I did not know Walgreens was around in the 30's...

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - JimZ - 03-20-2016

Nice work on that little Aetna. It's one of those interesting companies we dont see too often that contracted with Detrola, Warwick, Climax, Wells Gardner etc to build sets for them. Once you look thru all the models its pretty easy to see the manufacturers "fingerprints" on most if their models.
And a nice find by the way.

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-20-2016

Guys, thanks for the kind words.

I saw that Richmond Designs pattern but didn't want to spend $24 when all I needed was a 6 1/2 square. Thanks for the source.

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - TV MAN - 03-21-2016

Very nice Crist! Chassis looks amazing. Did you paint? Did you make the back cover? Great resto, keep it up!

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - PhilcoMike - 03-21-2016

Very good job.  I like the phrase "This is a minimal performing radio!"
With the low component count that may be where Muntz later got his TV design and cost savings ideas.  Icon_e_wink

Mike

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-22-2016

(03-21-2016, 02:10 PM)Madmurdok Wrote:  Very nice Crist! Chassis looks amazing. Did you paint? Did you make the back cover? Great resto, keep it up!

Yeah, I used Rust-Oleum Metalic Matte Nickle.  Yeah, on the back cover too.  I wanted to ventilate the top of the radio to help get rid of the heat from the tubes, especially from the 25Z5 tube.

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-22-2016

(03-21-2016, 02:19 PM)PhilcoMike Wrote:  Very good job.  I like the phrase "This is a minimal performing radio!"
With the low component count that may be where Muntz later got his TV design and cost savings ideas.  Icon_e_wink

Mike

Thanks.

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Fred Taylor - 03-22-2016

Very nice job Crist, I have some of that herringbone cloth at the shop . Come over and i will cut you a piece to fit your radio Icon_eek

RE: 1935 Aetna (Walgreen) 4 Tube TRF Radio - Crist Rigotti - 03-23-2016

(03-22-2016, 07:55 PM)Frederick W. Taylor Wrote:  Very nice job Crist, I have some of that herringbone cloth at the shop . Come over and i will cut you a piece to fit your radio Icon_eek

Will do Fred!  Thanks.