The PHILCO Phorum
42-355 dial cord - Printable Version

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42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-22-2026

Finishing up a restore on a nice 42-355. For the dial cord the diagram shows that both ends tie off on the spring. Is that correct ? 
Thank you

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-22-2026

Where did you find the stringing diagram? If it was on page 72 of the 1942 Philco Yearbook, that is for 42-380, not for 42-355.

There is no stringing diagram in the 1942 Yearbook, in service bulletin 398, in Rider, or in the Sams stringing guides.

I own a 42-355. There is a notched protrusion on one arm of the tuning wheel. One end goes there, and the other end to the spring.

RE: 42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-22-2026

Thank you for the reply. On the inside dial string I do not see that. I posted a picture. 

Thanks again

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-22-2026

This is what I meant - at the center you can see the end of the dial string which is not attached to the spring:

[Image: https://mathomhouseradio.net/temp/Untitled-2.jpg]

I do not understand the spring dangling from the hub. It is far too clean to be original, and although I have one in that position I cannot see what it is connected to without pulling the chassis.

You did not answer my most important question -  where did you find the stringing diagram?

RE: 42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-22-2026

Sorry about that I will attach the diagram. So I do not need the spring it is very confusing

RE: 42-355 dial cord - Paul Philco322 - 09-22-2026

Dial stringing is made to drive one mad. I have a friend who calls string a Sunday afternoon job, plans on spending 12-4 to do a job. Paul

RE: 42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-22-2026

Yes I see that. I cant seem to find a clear diagram

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-22-2026

philco4me Wrote:  Sorry about that I will attach the diagram. So I do not need the spring it is very confusing.

None of those stringing diagrams are for a 42-355. One is for a 40-200 (not even the right year), and one is for a 42-395. The third one doesn't look anything like a 42-355. The only set with the same chassis as a 42-355 is a 42-390.

RE: 42-355 dial cord - Arran - 09-23-2026

I think that what is confusing is that the drum on the tuning cap shaft has two pulleys, if that is the case then the top diagram is likely the closest. The center pulley is the one driven from the tuning control shaft, the outer pulley is the one that moves the dial pointer, so they used two dial cords in this arrangement, which is something I haven't seen before. Perhaps they thought that the one connected to the tuning control shaft would break more frequently? To make it more fun they have both ends of the center dial cord connected to the same spring. Does it mention how long each string has to be? In any event be grateful that you are not restringing some of the Phillips models, the logic behind those is beyond comprehension. I wish that I could help more, I used to string a lot of dial cords a few years ago as it was something I could do with the roll of fly line backing I had, and if it were in front of me I could probably figure it out in under an hour.
Regards
Arran

RE: 42-355 dial cord - Joe Rossi - 09-23-2026

4ME,  Look at the 41-280 stringing diagram.  The photo of the 41-280 dial and face looks just like the 42-355.  Joe

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-23-2026

My 42-355 has the original stringing, but I am at one of my busiest periods at the moment, between work and my volunteer work for several non-profits. It may be a couple of weeks before I can find the time to pull the chassis and photograph it. I can use the photos to create a stringing diagram showing what I can't see of the back of the drum with the chassis in the cabinet. That diagram will then be uploaded to our service library.

RE: 42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-23-2026

Thank you all for your help. I’ll just have to take a Sunday afternoon and see what works.

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-23-2026

philco4me Wrote:  I’ll just have to take a Sunday afternoon and see what works.

After another look, the 42-395 appears to be the closest stringing diagram for the 42-355 and 42-390. There is a cleaner version of the 42-395 stringing diagram on p. 76 of the Philco 1942 RMS Year Book. There is also one in the Sams Dial Cord Stringing Guide DC1, but it is the same as the one in the 1942 Year Book, and not as clear.

After I have a chance to get my 42-355 into the shop and pull the chassis, we may have to amend the 1942 Year Book service info for the 42-355 and 42-390 to add a stringing diagram, or to point to the one for the 42-395, based upon what I find. Phorum members have come up with a number of additions and revisions to the Year Books.

RE: 42-355 dial cord - philco4me - 09-23-2026

Thank you very much. I’ll give that one a try

RE: 42-355 dial cord - DaleHCook - 09-23-2026

I won't know if the 42-395 diagram matches the 42-355 until I have a chance to check it against my set, and that may not be for a couple of weeks.