The PHILCO Phorum
16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Philco Radio Discussions (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Philco Cabinet Restoration (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+--- Thread: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration (/showthread.php?tid=22636)

Pages: 1 2 3

16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-15-2021

This 16B cathedral cabinet was given to me a few years ago by Ron Ramirez. Thanks Ron! I have two 5 band 16 chassis and will be installing one of them in this cabinet
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313264535_3e28979dca_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
Clearly, the cabinet has some veneer issues. There has been an extra hole drilled in the front panel possibly, for a tuning knob somehow connected directly to the tuning condenser.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312262406_5d0c7c0ba2_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The wrap-around has had a couple of extra holes drilled.

Steve

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - klondike98 - 07-15-2021

This will be fun to watch!!
Lurking

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 07-15-2021

Oh - I remember that cabinet.

You are correct, Steve; the extra hole above the normal hole for the tuning shaft was there because some previous owner decided to remove the two-speed tuning assembly and connect a 1/4" shaft direct to the tuning condenser. It wasn't pretty. All of that was repaired, the tuning assembly was restored to its original design, and works fine now.

Good luck - if anyone can fix it, you can! Icon_thumbup

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-16-2021

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313205581_237407a5f8_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
I completely disassembled the cabinet.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313935369_b69104a67c_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The easy first. Re-gluing the delaminated bottom.

On to the front panel. It probably be easier the make a new front but, I want to use as much of the original cabinet as possible so, I'm going to try to repair and re-veneer this one.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312463597_a907459af7_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313409638_a352bc4afd_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr

I have re-glued the delamination, replaced some missing veneer and plugged the extra hole. The panel has been sanded smooth. Now, I will add another layer of veneer.

 [Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315328803_28ca11e8e8_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The veneer that I have selected for the front panel.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315852719_91c10a7744_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315328853_137d8239a1_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315121516_d679a23de4_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
 First the edges are trimmed, the two pieces are pulled tight together with small pieces of tape, this is called "stitching", then the joint is taped long ways.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315352273_ab287e0d7a_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The veneer is folded and creased and a very small bead of glue is added along the edge.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315352283_c7bc3a39fa_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The veneer is flattened out and a sharp wood chisel is used to "squeegee" the excess glue. Use quite a bit of pressure and there will be no glue residue left on the surface to spoil the finish later on.

 [Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51316152000_49d7f09cf6_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
After the glue dries and the tape has been removed we have a piece of "book matched" veneer large enough to cover the front panel.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315947884_e0e2b52c87_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
The veneer has been glued and clamped.

Steve

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Radioroslyn - 07-16-2021

Lookin' good!
Now I know why I've never done one I haven't twenty jorgensen clamps.

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - GarySP - 07-16-2021

Terry, I don't think any of the BigBox hardware stores have that many clamps! Looking great, as usual Steve! Why don't you move closer to Michigan? I've got plenty of cabinet work in the wings! Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-17-2021

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51318494614_f51a330298_c.jpg]Philco 16B Cabinet Restoration by Steve Davis, on Flickr
New veneer on the front panel

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Ron Ramirez - 07-17-2021

Looks better than original! Icon_thumbup

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Brad Winder - 07-19-2021

Holy...clamps!!

Amazing work!!

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Jordanbkc - 07-19-2021

And the grain V goes perfectly with the center knobs and dial opening.

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-20-2021

On to the front arch.
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51324128866_4410cda431_c.jpg]
This will bee a bit of a challenge

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51324849634_1ba07bc830_c.jpg]
The veneer was easily removed

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51324849684_d9c4790efc_c.jpg]
The core has separated in a couple of places

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51324152726_2280ac731b_c.jpg]
Much of the cross banding is loose and some is missing

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-24-2021

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51325140375_b2df878345_c.jpg]
The arch core has been re-joined

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51324152771_6c6e1fc829_c.jpg]
Replacing missing pieces of cross banding

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51327309158_51b7cbac52_c.jpg]
All the missing banding has been replaced. The edges will be trimmed later.

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-25-2021

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51332854749_c9632daac8_c.jpg]
Veneer has been add to the front arch.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51333124285_7079c06f4d_c.jpg]
I used a moulding head on the wood shaper to trim the veneer and take a very shallow cut  to clean up the edge of the core. Next I will trim the outer edge of the veneer.

Steve

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-26-2021

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51334593798_499d610ce2_c.jpg]
Trimmed outer edge of veneer and sanded edge of arch.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51334593838_15b6257731_c.jpg]
I have attached the front arch to the base and test fitting front panel.

Steve

RE: 16B Cathedral Cabinet Restoration - Steve Davis - 07-27-2021

Moving on to the wraparound. The wraparound is in pretty rough shape with bad veneer, extra holes and much delamination of the plies. As with the front panel, I want to keep as much of the original cabinet as I can. I am going to try repair and re-veneer. The veneer was easily removed.

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51335446375_121a757987_c.jpg]
Delamination along the back edge of the wrap

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51334446471_a548068d4c_c.jpg]
[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51335446415_cf8ce13d2e_c.jpg]
The glue holding the rear arch support was still holding quite well. When the support was removed, it pulled quite a bit of the inner veneer loose.