The PHILCO Phorum
Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - Printable Version

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Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - gary rabbitt - 07-07-2026

Hey guys,
Back in 1-2011 I posted a question on the Phorum regarding the decorative foil used on some cabinet inside bottoms. The original thread's images I uploaded are now not visible.
I cannot edit that post as it is closed to update the images, so I am posting again with the photos in case someone is interested or has an explanation.

(Original thread here on the Forum, attachments no longer visible):
https://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=2801&highlight=foil


 Ron Ramirez originally had no idea. The actual purpose of the foil I presume was to make a cheap shield to keep out stray RF.
But the question was why the ornate designs? Some are pretty ornate.  Myself and Ron was thinking the foil was bought by Philco from a source that originally used it as a wrapping possibly.  It would seem plausible as Philco would have no reason to emboss foil that would never be seen by the consumers.
   On the ARF an member just posted about this foil, and other than his post, I have never seen any others comment on the foil.
There is no asbe*tos under this.

So here are the original pics I posted in 2011  
Any definitive reasons for the patterns is welcome. My opinion is the decorative foil was leftovers from another company or source, Philco made good use of it for their under chassis shielding. I believe I have other patterns on disc, but cannot access them at the moment.
Thanks guys!

37-84
   
37-84
   
84B
   

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - radiorich - 07-07-2026

Hello Gary,
I’ve come across similar ones on Philco radios I’ve worked on, and it was probably picked up for a bargain. I wish my grandmother were still around; I’m sure she might recognize it.

Sincerely Richard

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - David - 07-07-2026

Maybe the pattern adds strength to the foil or prevents a strong em field being directed in one direction. Or when removed from the set because we have no ides make a nice tin foil hat. The foil is it alum or real tin?  David

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - Arran - 07-08-2026

Does this foil have a paper or cardboard backing? To me it looks like the sort of embossed foil that would have been used in a chocolate box, or some other packaging. My guess is that Philco was using the same logic they used when selecting tube lineups, it was whatever they got a bargain on, or could get in quantity when they wanted it. If they needed some foil for some reason like shielding, but could get embossed stuff off the surplus market for 1/2 price, they were not above doing that.
Regards
Arran

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - MrFixr55 - 07-18-2026

That would not surprise me at all. I remember someone (Maybe Ron Ramirez, God rest his soul) posting a note that Philco was not above splicing the magnet wire used to wind RF / IF transformers, especially single layer jobs.

Philco was a very early user of 6V tubes as they were developed for car radios and Philco was a major supplier of car radios. I believe that Philco converted to 6V tubes in transformer powered home radios in 1933.I believe that RCA did not switch over to 6V tubes on transformer powered sets until the 1935 model year, although they were using 6V tubes in series in transformerless sets, and in car radios in 1933.

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - gary rabbitt - 07-24-2026

Thanks guys for the thoughts on the foil's original use. I agree it could have been material for a candy box.
It was pretty intricate and decorative, unlike the foil from a cigarette pack or gum wrapper.

Philco no doubt didn't care what the pattern was , it was a foil that helped shield the chassis bottom from stray signals.
End runs of the stuff would otherwise be tossed by the original user,so IMHO Philco bought it.

This is one of those topics that I have not seen anywhere else.

@Arran, without going and pulling a chassis, I 'think' the foil did have a very thin backing. The entire thing was stapled to the bottom of the cabinet. I seem to remember trying to repair the crumpled foil if it was scuffed or pulled away from it's backing.
How much improvement of shielding was had, compared to a cabinet without it? I have no plans on testing that , lol
Take care and thanks to all!
Gary Maker.

RE: Decorative foil in some cabinets. Pt.2 - radiorich - 07-25-2026

Hello Guys,
Yes, the candy box sounds logical!
Sincerely Richard