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48-1253 just completed - Printable Version

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48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 02-23-2013

You might recall my mentioning this set in a thread a few weeks back. This was an eBay purchase, and while the seller did everything he could to package the set well, the USPS still managed to cause some damage. The turntable and spindle was flying around loose under the lid, and... most disheartening of all... the dial tuning knob was broke off! Luckily I was able to find the broken piece, glue it together, tape it, wire tie it, and add a new sheet metal spacer inside to get it to stay on like it should.

In addition to the usual re-capping, resistor replacing where needed, and tube testing, I had to recoat the speaker cone, which had a few tiny moth holes in it, causing a vibration problem. I found coating the outer cone with liquid tape, and placing some small pieces of soft foam bridging between the braces on the backside of the speaker worked great to solve the vibration problem. Had to find an old Christmas tree style bulb to replace the dial light, find a new rubber foot for the bottom (it was only sitting on 3 of the 4). Then, reattached the spindle, which kept pulling back out everytime you'd remove a record. Of course, I also had to replace the phonograph crystal pick up cartridge to get the phono to make sound again, and replaced the idler wheel, recoated the drive post on the phonograph motor to get the phono to spin at 78 rpm again instead of about 70 rpm. And had to shim up the phono motor to the proper height to compensate for the deterioration of the rubber mounts, which were also replaced. This allowed the idler wheel to make full contact on the phono turntable for a more positive, constant speed. Then it was re-greasing and re-oiling dry components on the phono mechanism, and finally, rub the cabinet down with Minwax golden oak to enhance the original finish. After that was allowed to dry about 2 weeks, I finished it off with a coat of my favorite wood treatment.... Liquid Gold which does wonders for any wood finish. This was a fairly easy restoration, taking about 3 weeks total.                    

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 02-23-2013

Here are a few more pics...

           

RE: 48-1253 just completed - Electrothaumaturgist - 02-23-2013

What a beautiful machine! Icon_e_biggrin How does she play, and is that a 78's only player?

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 02-23-2013

Plays great! I uploaded a brief demonstration video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaymrIn_cxI

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 02-23-2013

Yes, 78 rpm only.

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 02-27-2013

Found an original ad from October of 1947 during "Philco Week" for this very radio...    

RE: 48-1253 just completed - TA Forbes - 02-27-2013

Very nice job!!!! Icon_thumbup

RE: 48-1253 just completed - jmac3ky - 03-09-2013

Great job. It's a looker now.

RE: 48-1253 just completed - Ron Ramirez - 03-09-2013

Beautiful, just beautiful! Icon_thumbup Icon_clap

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 03-09-2013

Thanks, jmac3ky, and thanks Ron.... you're very kind. And Ron, if you can use any of the photos for the gallery, feel free to do so.

RE: 48-1253 just completed - Bill Bacco - 03-10-2013

Nice Job Greg. Which Liquid Gold product do you use? Is it the cleaner and preservative?

Thanks, Bill

RE: 48-1253 just completed - codefox1 - 03-10-2013

Way beyond snazzy.

RE: 48-1253 just completed - NostalgiaRadioTime - 03-10-2013

Thanks, Bill. Yes I use Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative. Comes in a yellow colored aerosol can. I've been using that on all of my wood cabinet radios for 30 years now.