The PHILCO Phorum
New to the radio restoration world - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: New to the radio restoration world (/showthread.php?tid=9157)


New to the radio restoration world - Chuck the Canuck - 03-29-2014

Hey there guys and gals. I recently aquired a philco 1775 and completely new to the whole restoration thing! I've done alittle searching and haven't been able to find much information on this particular model. Here's what I know or atleast was told by the former owner. It's a Canadian made model, has hi-fi and a turn table. It was said to be made 1960.

Curently there is no sound other then pops & crackles from the speakers on both FM & AM. I have yet to try a record so I cannot say how the sound is from there. Within the next few weeks I hope to open it up and start taking a look around the inside(currently garage is too cold from the winter).Once I do this I hope to get some of the over 50 years of grime out.

Any tips or suggestions would greatly be apprechiated as I can't wait to get started in this new hobby!

RE: New to the radio restoration world - PAradiogeek - 03-29-2014

Chuck,

Welcome to the Phorum!

You will need to replace the electrolytic and paper/wax caps. Don't know anything about restoring record players myself, xso I'll leave that to others.

Jon

RE: New to the radio restoration world - Chuck the Canuck - 03-29-2014

Jon,

Thanks for the response. I'll dtake your advise and look those items

RE: New to the radio restoration world - jerryhawthorne - 03-29-2014

Welcome Chuck. Can you give us an indication of experience/knowledge in old electronics and an idea of what test equipment you have? It will give us a basis to start you on your journey when the weather improves. Perhaps someone here will have a copy of the schematic for you. You can't go on a journey without a "road map".
Best, Jerry

RE: New to the radio restoration world - Chuck the Canuck - 03-29-2014

Hi Jerry,
My experience is almost zero with electronics at this point. I do however understand the baiscs in how things work(the threory and science) but have never took on a project like this. As far as tools, I'm limited there as well, but can buy as needed and any advice or sugestions on what to buy & what to avoid would greatly be apprechiated. As far as schematics I do have those and trying to learn how to read them.

RE: New to the radio restoration world - PAradiogeek - 03-29-2014

Chuck,

I recommend you start with a lot of reading. Here are a couple of great sites to get you started.

http://www.antiqueradio.org/welcome.htm

http://www.antiqueradio.org/welcome.htm

Lots of other sites as well. And of course, this site is a tremendous resource with lots of knowledgeable people who are willing to help.

Jon

RE: New to the radio restoration world - gregb - 03-29-2014

Hey Chuck:
Welcome to the Phorum from another Canuck! What part of our great land are you in?

Gregb

RE: New to the radio restoration world - Chuck the Canuck - 03-29-2014

Thanks again jon. I will check those out. Right now I'm watching a schematics reading lesson on you tube http://youtu.be/KbvM5Tkc-UA

Greg- I'm from St Catharines Ontario

RE: New to the radio restoration world - PAradiogeek - 03-29-2014

Glad to help.

I messed up the paste of the second web address. Here's another try.

http://www.philcorepairbench.com

Jon

RE: New to the radio restoration world - jerryhawthorne - 03-29-2014

Chuck, at the minimum you will need a soldering iron (40 watt pencil) and a volt and ohm meter. Harbor Freight has one for about $6. Will work and when you hook things up wrong (ie set in ohms and measuring voltages) it will probably die. Not much invested. It will do the job.
If you can, post the schematic or a link to it so we can follow the journey.
Best, Jerry

RE: New to the radio restoration world - klondike98 - 03-29-2014

Welcome to the Phorum. Here's a thread that relatively recent on the topic of books useful for learning about radio electronics. It digresses in to other topics by the second set of pages but perhaps it will help.

RE: New to the radio restoration world - Jamie - 03-30-2014

Welcome to the forum! Once you get that set playing, you'll become addicted and you'll be searching for other radios. One thing to always keep in mind - you are working with potentially lethal voltages. Make sure you follow safety guidelines... make sure you are never grounded (don't stand on a concrete floor, etc), keep one hand in your pocket, etc. You should make a dim bulb tester before you begin your work, etc.

Good luck and keep us informed!

RE: New to the radio restoration world - Chuck the Canuck - 03-30-2014

I guess what I had was not the schematics so i will need those, but I can't seem to find my model listed anywhere.

RE: New to the radio restoration world - GarySP - 03-31-2014

Hi Chuck! Welcome to the phorum, eh? Hope you aren't going to be kicking yourself like I am for selling all my vinyl at garage sales!! Take care, Gary

RE: New to the radio restoration world - jerryhawthorne - 03-31-2014

Chuck, a schematic for your radio is critical with your level of experience. My level as well. Many here just seem to know what has to be what. If you get no response here, post in the for sale/buy sub forum. Generally some other Canuck will have a listing of radios made in Canada and probably copy and send to you N/C. Justradios in Canada also have schematics for sale and may be able to help. Your radio being "newer" means that Sams Photofact is no doubt the source. They supplied schematics around that time for devices like yours. Prewar schematics were covered well and can be found at Nostalgia Air's web site.
Have fun and be safe. As indicated there are some high voltages in there. Without a schematic it is hard for us to tell just exactly how safe you need to be. All radios have high voltages but some "later" radios without a power transformer known as AC/DC radios have other real safety concerns. The schematic will tell a lot.
Enjoy the adventure and as indicated earlier, when you get this up and running, you will be looking for another! It is a disease.
Jerry