Newbie here. I've had many radios but

Newbie here. I've had many radios but - Printable Version

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Newbie here. I've had many radios but - onemat - 10-11-2025

Hello
I've had many radios but never a cathedral Philco model 60. . Found it in an old junk store while visiting my home town of New Britain, Conn. I wouldn't dare plug it in without a variac but I will get around to servicing it. Any tips would be appreciated. Cheers.
Matt

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - Paul Philco322 - 10-11-2025

Nice find, tis an oldie. Hope it turns out good for you. Paul

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - radiorich - 10-11-2025

Hello Matt,
First thing I wanted to do is to welcome you to the Philco Forum !
What Great looking set it looks to be in very nice shape .
So Why don't we start with your background So do you have any electronics back ground ?

Have you ever restored any 1930s Philco's if not you will find under the chassis what is called a bakelite block and there are a few under the chassis there are capacitors that are sealed in tar in those blocks that will need to be replaced plus that cardboard box looking thing is the sets main electrolytic capacitors that will also need to be changed.

on this sight you will also find Schematic to help in repairing this set.

Sincerely Richard

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - dconant - 10-11-2025

Hello Matt,
Welcome. Adding to what Richard said and not to scare you off restoring this set you may find the oscillator coil is open. Rewinding the coil is very doable. I done 3 or 4 so if I can do it you can. Lets hope yours is good. Good luck with the restore. The 60 are one of my favorite sets.

Dan

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - morzh - 10-11-2025

https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/shop-talk/model-notes/evolution-of-philco-model-60/

Specifically for those who restore Philco 60.

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - onemat - 10-11-2025

Wow, thanks for the welcome. OK some background on me. I was born in '55. My Dad was a music nut who put together a Hi-Fi in a large cabinet. Tube electronics amp, pre amp and tuner. I don't remember the brand. He had a Garrard changer. It has an 15" altec coax, maybe a 605 (?). We also had a few table radios and I had a transistor. We also had a early Panasonic reel to reel. Around '68 my Dad took me to a consumer show which featured McIntosh, Dynaco, Sansui, Pilot, AR,KLH, and others. Dad was not convinced to by a new stereo set but I caught the bug. In 1972 I bought my first stereo and in 1976 I started selling radios, tape recorders and home stereo. After a short stint at Aetna's data center, lm I went to work for a rep firm with both consumer and pro audio lines. In '88 I moved to Nashville and worked for an electronics distribution company. I also worked in Radio and at doing light and sound work.
Eventually I went to work for Northern Telecom and later for Nissan. For years I bought old radios and jukeboxes. I am officially retired but still like to collect and buy and sell. Over the years I've played drums too but I quit a few years ago after having hearing issues.
I hope I didn't bore you guys....

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - radiorich - 10-11-2025

Hello Matt,
Wow you have a great background and will really enjoy the forum there a lot great members .
Sincerely Richard

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - MrFixr55 - 10-11-2025

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the Philco Phorum, a phamily phriendly place phull of phine pholks, phun and philco phacts. (Notice a pattern here?). Take some time to explore the Phorum, please read the Phorum Rules and "What not to post on the Phorum. Please note the different categories. Note that we have sections for electronic restoration, cabinet restoration, and a section for non-Philco radios as well as a section for audio / HiFi, TV and test equipment. We have sections for selling items, and a want to buy section also.

Be sure to check out Old Ron's Bar and Grill and belly up to the bar for a virtual burger and brew, and shoot the breeze (Iops, naybe a bad term; we are expecting a "Nor'easter" here.

I too, am a 1955 model, having retired from a career as a field engineer, applications specialist and customer tech support specialist for a manufacturer of high throughput clinical laboratory instrumentation. I started my career as a clinical laboratory technologist what my BS degree was in), then using my education and my hobbies, developed at a very young age, morphed into the above positions. I broke my first TV at age 3, fixed my first TV at age 11 or 12, and instead of playing sports, I had an obsession with how things work.

To your radio, this is an interesting set. This set is the basic 5 tube superheterodyne set, complete with pentagrid converter, IF amp, diode / triode detector / AVC/1st audio amp and a substantial pentode output tube; certainly not an obsolete set, as good a set as any plastic 5 tube AM radio from the 1960s, and given the speaker, power transformer and 2.5 - 4 Watt output, superior to these modern transformerless "AA5" sets.

Morzh already gave you a link to several schematics and versions of this set. Based on the cabinet pictures, you have an earlier set.

Here is a link on "restuffing" Bakelite capacitor blocks.
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/shop-talk/techniques/bakelite-capacitor-rebuild-without-desoldering/

Here is a link n Philco coils:
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/shop-talk/techniques/rewinding-philco-coils/

Hope this helps, and again, welcome! Post often, let us know your prograss and don't be afraid to ask questions!

RE: Newbie here. I've had many radios but - klondike98 - 10-12-2025

Welcome to the Phorum!
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