The PHILCO Phorum
Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 (/showthread.php?tid=26199)


Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - DJJ - 01-12-2026

Just came across this...and it is intriguing. I would like to see how possible it is to restore.
Where does a person start?

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - morzh - 01-12-2026

The person starts with establishing that this is a Philco 610, then goes to, say, Riders (www.nostalgiaair.org) and downloads the schematic.

Then that same person removes the chassis ands replaces all paper capacitors (whether tubular or backelite blocks) and electrolytic capacitors.

Then (the same!) person checks the tubes.

Check the speaker, especially the field coil and the output transformer.

Then you could power it up, using a Variac, check the voltages, and, should it be OK, see if it actually works, receiving stations.

If it does not, the person goes to troubleshooting mode.
Check resistor values (actually doesn't hurt to do that after the recap), check the magnetics continuity.

Then ... well, you have to get to that "then" first.


Welcome!

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - radiorich - 01-13-2026

Hello DJJ,
I restored that exact radio years ago and there a photo of it in our Philco gallery
Here it is .
I restored the chassis and refinished the cabinet which was painted white .
https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1936a/#Model_610B

Sincerely Richard

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - DJJ - 01-13-2026

Thanks for the input...and thanks for directng me to what the finished product could potentially look! Motivates a person to see it through!

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - morzh - 01-13-2026

Years ago I restored a 620, from the same line same year, next one up.

1. Don't use water to wipe/clean the dial. The ink is water-soluble. Mineral spirits work well (try first in an inconspicuous place).
2. Try to not disturb the wires in the sense of preserving the way they are routed. II had a decent bit of hum, and then that was one wire that had to be simply jammed against the chassis and the hum would stop.

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - RodB - 01-13-2026

Welcome to the Phorum.
I think I can see the horizon through that speaker cone. Hopefully the voice coil is in one piece. Before you take the chassis out of the cabinet you can unsolder the wires to the speaker by removing the cover at the back of the speaker. Use tape to number the wires/terminals so you don't have to guess where they go when it's time to do testing. Keep us informed.

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - morzh - 01-13-2026

I suspect, an 8" speaker won't fit in a 610. It has low top.

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - klondike98 - 01-14-2026

The 610B model uses a 5" speaker. See our parts listings in the library:
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/parts/speakers/

RE: Looking to restore Philco Model 610 - Arran - 01-14-2026

Welcome;
You have the Canadian version of a model 610, a 3610, so five tubes, and two bands. What is interesting is that you have the remains of the card that denotes what each control is for, which is what it left the dealership with, someone has reconstructed some of those cards, for some Philco model, and posted it elsewhere on the Phorums. Anyhow, with regard to the speaker, Philco used to manufacture their own speakers from the late 1920s through about 1929-40, and even though it is a five inch speaker the bolt pattern, or spacing of the basket may be different then a generic 5'' speaker. If it were mine I would either repair it myself, or have it reconed, unless you can find another original in good shape. As you may have I found this out with the Philco 8'' speakers years ago, a generic 8'' pincushion shaped speaker would not fit the bolt holes of the Philco one, and was thinking of using a round one until I found a Philco one. As you may know the speaker is a field coil type, and the field coil, in addition to acting as a magnet for the speaker, asl acts as a filter choke for the power supply, so hopefully the coil is good.
Regards
Arran