Newest addition a 38-690 - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Philco Radio Discussions (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Philco Home Radios (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=6)
+--- Thread: Newest addition a 38-690 (/showthread.php?tid=17306)

---

Newest addition a 38-690 - tbone - 09-25-2017

Greetings to the Phorum.

My name is Tony and this will be my first real post here. I wanted to share with everyone my latest find, a nice 38-960. I have always wanted a radio of this stature and high level of functionality that was affordable and Saturday I got the chance. There are a lot of the expensive brand Z radios out there that I will never afford to buy, but this one will perform just as good, if not better, and will be just a great radio overall

The seller had stated that this radio was fully re-capped and operational and that was true. It sounded great, but that was were the restoration ended.

Here is what I have to do:

Replace the out of tolerance resistors and candohms.
Replaced the electrolytics with 630V film caps, something I do for longevity.
Check the tweeter phasing.
Fix the loose dial disk, determine what component it needs to be fastened too.
Replace the sub chassis rubber mounts.
Clean both chassis and determine if OK or if they need to be masked and painted. Some rust.
Full alignment keeping in mind that the Magnetic tuning works perfectly.
Repair all the flying lead connections and black tape insulated wiring.

The cabinet is not bad but the front panel looks awful up close. I think it was refinished and there is a small run. Also, no grain filler was used, so that makes it worse. Time will tell once I get ready to work on it.

All in all, I am quite pleased with the radio and the price I paid. I can't wait till it's done and upstairs to be used for Holidays and Breakfast every day.

Here are some pictures I would like to share. Thanks for looking.

[Image: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4337/37311717061_b8548d327e_z.jpg]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152428891@N04/37311717061/in/dateposted-public/

Edit:

I removed the duplicate images. The second link will take you to a viewer where pictures can be expanded for more detail.

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - morzh - 09-25-2017

If your candohms are ok, I would leave them be.

As for the dial, it simply goes over the hub with a notch for holding and is held by other parts that go over it to the same hub; it does not get screwes, glued or otherwise fastened by anything.

Oh, and - congrats, great radio.

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - tbone - 09-25-2017

Thanks for the reply. Yes the candohm values are off a bit and if you move the terminals they change. So in my mind they are bad and must go. Not my favorite, but not hard to add a few terminal strips.

I was able to take voltage readings to calculate the power rating of my replacements which made life easier.

This will be a slow project as work and other things take up my time. No need to rush anyway.

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - morzh - 09-25-2017

Well, you're lucky in that 1) no re-coning is needed, 2) no transformer replacement is needed, 3) etc - the radio works and essentially needs very minor work.

Mine, on the other hand, after all the recap etc (I have an on-going thread on it) has both interstage and output transformers bad, both tweeters re-coned, the woofer patched (the wood cone inside broke, fell in and made a huge hole in the cone), Candohms questionable (kinda work but same as yours, internal contacts are iffy...so I think I will make it go and when all works will replace them - I actually bought all the replacements).
Oh, and my chassis is painted with a silver paint, with a brush at that.

And welcome again!

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - OldRestorer - 09-25-2017

moving it on the Creeper,
Improvised dolly eh?
I love it...
I am looking for a 1937 model.

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - Kenneth F. Besso Jr. - 09-25-2017

Beautiful,,,GGreat Catch---CHEERS

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - Electrothaumaturgist - 09-28-2017

I thought that is where you kneel to pray to the Philco gods during restoration...

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - sam - 09-28-2017

kirks case prays he don`t get shocked


great looking


sam

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - WallaceRoger - 09-28-2017

Beautiful radio!

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - PhilcoJohn - 09-28-2017

Tbone,   A great looking radio. Nice find! I some day hope I am lucky as yourself in finding one. So for now my 38-116 will have to be O.K. for now. Keep us up to date with the progress. Again super find! 

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - Electrothaumaturgist - 09-28-2017

AGREED! A gorgeous Philco! Gotta love those rolltops!!! 

---

RE: Newest addition a 38-690 - tbone - 09-29-2017

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am glad I have her. Parts are starting to arrive, so work will begin soon. It will be slow as I have to work, bummer.

Once it's done, I will shock proof it and charge Kirk admission to see it

---