Philco 118MX scored -
Bob Andersen - 05-30-2013
I finally had a chance to head down south and check out the 118MX we were discussing in
Items for Sale. I ended up paying $60 for it.
The bottom has suffered some nasty water damage and lost some trim and veneer, but otherwise I think it looks pretty good.
I'm a little worried that they had used it a few times in the recent past until it stopped working. Hopefully nothing is burned out.
[Image: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/8893648304_98c37789da_c.jpg]
Note the sound screen is on upside-down.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/8893025379_6e2021399f_c.jpg]
[Image: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/8893027005_e76db6fafa_c.jpg]
Missing molding.
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/8893647482_d4ddd46cba_c.jpg]
I hope the Shadow Meter is good.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/8893029625_89098e6ffc_c.jpg]
The echo-absorbing screen has suffered a little damage, but I do have the broken out bits. Maybe it can glued back together ? At least the label is in excellent condition.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/8893030425_0e9d402366_c.jpg]
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
morzh - 05-30-2013
You lucky....you. And if the shadograph works this is gonna be just no fair.
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Ron Ramirez - 05-31-2013
Great score!
Those are really good looking sets. You and Groundhog74 are very lucky indeed!
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
w4rtc - 05-31-2013
Joe
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Bob Andersen - 05-31-2013
Thanks guys. I forgot to mention that it reeks of tobacco
It's not quite as bad 24 hours later and I bet a little cleaning will help too. Tonight I plan to dig deeper into it and check for any major problems.
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
morzh - 05-31-2013
My Zenith 9S262 was REEEEEEEEEEKING of that home scent....the one you plug in the wall outlet. It lasted for 2 or 3 months, it was all but gone in about 6 months, and now a year later it is completely gone.
I will take tobacco smell any time over that one.
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Arran - 05-31-2013
Speaking of tobacco smell, that reminds me. I need to take the chassis out of that DeForest Crosley, Brahms (yes that is the model) and give it a trisodium phosphate wash once the weather gets hot enough. I bought that set last year and even a year later that chassis still smells like an ashtray, and the steel looks nicotine stained too. The set must have had a chain smoker sitting next to it for a good part of it's life.
I like those M series cabinet Philco models, not as fancy as a highboy perhaps but very clean looking. Does anyone know if they produced any Canadian models with these types of cabinets? I know that there was a Canadian version of a 112 with the Norman Bell Geddes modern/Chinese rival cabinet.
Regards
Arran
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Radioroslyn - 05-31-2013
Nice set Bob!! Keep us all posted on your progress when you get a round to it. I've got one like it but it's missing the trim at the bottom. It's got lots of tubes in the audio stages so it ought to be a great sounding set! Lot of driver for those hungry triode connected 42's. None of that phony bologna screen grid phase inverter stuff on this one. It's got a nice manly class A audio setup.
Terry
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Bob Andersen - 06-01-2013
I spent some time last night going over the radio in more detail.
Here's what I found when I removed the back. I think the cloth was originally glued to the fiberboard but it's completely separated now.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/8909544452_6669bf291d_c.jpg]
Is that speaker installed upside down ? I would have expected the dust screen to be on top.
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/8908916199_c1408e2100_c.jpg]
The speaker wires have seen better days, but the ac power cord is in good condition considering it's age.
[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/8908916727_673941e57d_c.jpg]
If I'm understanding this notice correctly, the screws holding the chassis down should have been removed way back when it was purchased. It took some force to pry the hardened rubber chassis mounts away from the plywood.
[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/8908919411_80e9813e7e_c.jpg]
Finally, a look at the chassis. Looks pretty good from the top. No signs of corrosion.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/8908917751_f342b7b6e5_c.jpg]
I found some evidence of repairs underneath like some Solar "sealdtite" capacitors. The bandswitch is frozen but the other controls seems to operator correctly.
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/8908918285_297d30fe3d_b.jpg]
I'm not sure the the power/volume control is original. I was a little surprised to see that four section electrolytic. I expected a non-opolarized tar block cap for values that small.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/8908918921_c1c876c9ed_c.jpg]
The dial scale is filthy and uniformly warped back around the edge. I think that might be how it was made though ?
[Image: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/8909547338_1abb08c094_c.jpg]
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
morzh - 06-01-2013
I think this chassis lookx very much like the 18's.
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Philco281989 - 06-01-2013
Bob, I am pretty sure the dial scale is suppose to be slightly tapered back to prevent rubbing on the inside of the cabinet, my Philco 144, which is a 1934 model, and model 71B from 1932 both have the same warped back look.
Jon
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
morzh - 06-01-2013
Yes, it is not warped but tapered to prevent the rubbing, exactly same thing on the 18. (actually it is exact same mechanism and maybe even the chassis).
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Bob Andersen - 06-01-2013
Excellent - one less thing to worry about
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
TA Forbes - 06-01-2013
Nice score, Bob! They are tough to get a hold of!
I would bet that 75% of the Philco consoles I have had had the "dust shield" upside-down. No idea why.
The 18 and 118 have very similar chassis and tubes.
RE: Philco 118MX scored -
Groundhog74 - 06-06-2013
Huh, my 14MX has a board holding up the speaker. But it is oriented the same way as yours.
[Image: http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t679/Groundhog4906/image_zps2f9778d1.jpg]
[Image: http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t679/Groundhog4906/image_zps938df0b0.jpg]
Difference between 14MX and 118MX models ?, or maybey a change for a new model year?
My 14MX was totally missing the sound screen.
Mine has some side cupping and loose joints I have discussed in other threads, so yours seems to be in a little better shape. Congrats on a cool radio.