Welcome Guest! Be sure you know and follow the Phorum Rules before posting. Thank you and Enjoy! (January 12) x

Thread Closed
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Philco Fibre Wrench - Homebrew
#1

If you have attempted to align your favorite Philco chassis, you will quickly realize that they weren't kidding in the alignment instructions when they said to use the Philco Fibre Wrench to adjust the trimmers. Anyway, I finally decided to do something about that the other day. I made a homebrew version. I grabbed one the many ball point pens in the jar (you know, the jar of pencils and pens, half of which don't work, Icon_lol ). I removed the ball point cartridge and cut the end off at a point where the body was wide enough to make the wrench. I double-nutted a 6-32 by one inch screw and clamped it in the vise. Using the heat gun, I slowly warmed the plastic on the end of the pen until it was soft enough to fit over the two nuts on the 6-32 screw. Presto! A new Philco Fibre Wrench (well, OK plastic). But it works well nonetheless and the price is right - nothing.

Homebrew Fibre Wrench
[Image: http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q136/...Wrench.jpg]

Ed
#2

Cool. Along while back, I was lucky to get a Philco original, along with the other orig Philco fiber screwdriver tip align tool and service hex set:

[Image: http://www.philcorepairbench.com/images/...ools01.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcorepairbench.com/images/...ools02.jpg]

[Image: http://www.philcorepairbench.com/images/tools02.jpg]
#3

Good post Ed. I did something similar. I used a hard plastic tube I had. Installed 1/4" nuts, and heated it as you did. Works very well. I have a fiber screw-driver. I fully agree, not having these non-metallic tools is a handicap to performing a proper alignment. On most radios.

-Brian
If you collect or are interested in antique telephones, please visit Classic Rotary Phones
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php
#4

That was a lucky find, Chuck. For the fibre screwdriver, I just use one of these Spectrol tweakers.

[Image: http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q136/...ectrol.jpg]

Ed
#5

I have a proper one now but the last time I needed one I wrapped electrical tape around the end of a 1/4'' nut driver. But the old pen idea sounds much better.
Happy Christmas
Happy New Year
Arran
#6

Years ago I purchased one from AES. It is a fairly decent one. Just a tip, and this is what I do: I use a nutdriver to break the "set" of the adjustment before using the fiber/plastic tool on it.
#7

Arran - I have used a nutdriver with tape wrapped around it too, but I found that it was detuning the circuit. The fibre (plastic) wrench was much better.

Jim - I have done the same thing, if the adjustment nut is tight, I will use the nutdriver first to break the 'set'. Sometimes, I will even use a drop of oil on the screw shaft, if they are really tight.

Ed
#8

ummm.. is that also known as:, ... "busting a nut"? ... if so, I never needed a special wrench for that at all! Now exact "alignment" is a different matter altogether! My Wife says my alignment-tools are still workin just fine!! Ive aligned her radio several times!! Selectivity & sensitivity were GREAT!! Everything was fine till I mentioned the vintage IF cans were smaller than usual! Pls excuse my sense of humor!, your alignment inventions are GREATindeed Icon_wink !!
#9

Hello etech ,
Well I think you did fine job making that tool also I know what you mean about the jar of pens at home I have a can in the shop that must have 12 or more pens I guess I'll weed out the bad ones but I have some laying around from closed business when I was kid like the store my mother worked at that I helped her bag items fond memories I guess.
Sincerfely Rich




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Philco newbie with P-1891-WA console questions
Hello Jeff , Far as the Electrolytic capacitors go here is a list of parts. that will work . I like using Nichicon and...radiorich — 09:50 PM
Philco newbie with P-1891-WA console questions
Well, I've been stumped at trying to get the first of 11 electrolytic capacitors. I got a schematic and have a list of t...Jeffcon — 07:54 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
Thanks Gary and Rod.  I also found an article in the Philco Repair Bench under Service Hints and Tips, about installi...Hamilton — 12:32 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
Hello Hamilton, here is a little information found in our Philco Radio Library at the bottom of the Home page. Hope it ...GarySP — 11:28 AM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
I did as you suggested and touching the middle of the volume control did nothing so the coil has to be rewound. Any idea...Hamilton — 10:19 AM
1949 Motorola 5A9M
This would be the second portable in the "other radios" forum where I have a similar one in my collection. I h...Arran — 12:41 AM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Hi PittsburgTost. The record changer looks like a Garrard or BSR (Likely Garrard). The spindles just pull out and pu...MrFixr55 — 11:57 PM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Hello PittsburghToast , Welcome aboard and it looks like gary may have something for you ! now if I dig through my se...radiorich — 11:35 PM
Model 80 Antenna Issue?
You are kind of on the right path. You can touch the grid cap of the Detector/Oscillator 36 tube. I'm expecting a respon...RodB — 08:48 PM
Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio
Welcome to the Phorum, PittsburghToast!  I found an old thread that my interest you regarding the quality and worth of P...GarySP — 08:48 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 984 online users. [Complete List]
» 2 Member(s) | 982 Guest(s)
AvatarAvatar

>