[Bob Andersen]

Hi guys,

I'm the proud new owner of a Philco 15DX! According to philcoradio.com only 1,500 were made and I've certainly never seen one before so I assume they are quite rare.
I've restored a few Philcos before (37-10, 38-10 and 39-30), but nothing this high-end. It's in fairly good shape, but a few sections of veneer are missing and the top is in rough shape. I would really appreciate any restoration tips you may have. Specifically, what type of veneer should I use, any ideas on the missing bits of molding, and how can I get these speakers re-coned?

Here's a high-res set on Flickr for your viewing pleasure http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N0...66/detail/

Thanks!

[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/Philco%2015DX.jpg]
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX%2...damage.jpg]
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX%2...damage.jpg]
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX%2...damage.jpg]
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX%2...damage.jpg]

[Ron Ramirez]

Hi

Congratulations on your acquisition! That is certainly one of Philco's nicer offerings.

The veneer was walnut; I looked your cabinet up and the 15DX page in my copy of Philco Furniture History is almost unreadable. However, I could make out that the top is 1/4 sliced American Black Walnut, with butt walnut on the instrument panel.

Not sure what to recommend on the molding. I think I would try to find a competent woodworker who could replicate molding using any pieces that remain as a template.

As for the speakers. There are several sources for speaker reconing. Some other folks may chime in with their favorites. A couple are listed on my site's Resources page.

http://www.philcoradio.com/resourceb.htm

[Bob Andersen]

the top is 1/4 sliced American Black Walnut, with butt walnut on the instrument panel

Thanks Ron! Very, useful info. Have you come across this model before? I've seen a 15, but never a 15DX.

I'm going to stop by Wood World in Chicago with your information and see what they have in walnut. They might have the molding too. It's a simple enough profile.

There are only two small pieces missing from the tambour doors. I think I can salvage a patches from the skirt veneer. That whole skirt veneer needs to be replaced anyway. Looks like that's butt or burled walnut.

That leaves me with trying to match the stain & finish. I really don't want to refinish the whole set - it's in too good of a condition for that. I'll purchase some extra veneer for experimenting.

I still need to examine and test the speakers more thoroughly before choosing a course of action. The cones are actually in better shape than I expected, but probably beyond simple patching. The speaker frames have some surface rust, but not too bad. The lower VC is a bit loose as well.

Thanks for pointing out the links.

- Bob

[Bob Andersen]

I fully expected to replace the all the veneer on top, but decided to strip it down anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's in really good shape. I think I'll only need to replace to front 2 inches or so Too bad my local supplier only has face cut while the plans call for quarter cut. Not exactly a good match. I'll use it to test stains and finishes while I track down some that matches better.

[Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/3621...fc.jpg?v=0]

[Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3620...09.jpg?v=0]

[Bob Andersen]

I got some proper QC veneer from The Veneer Store. I think it's a great match.
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX/021.jpg]

I also picked up some burled walnut for the skirt.
[Image: http://www.bobandersen.com/images/15DX/022.jpg]

[Ron Ramirez]

Bob:

I found this old thread while cleaning up the mess made of links in old posts after the switch to the new MyBB-powered Phorum.

Noticed your last photo was from June 2011, where you have fixed the top (great job, too, by the way).

So, did you ever finish this one up?

[TA Forbes]

That's a great find!! The 15DX is a rare set indeed, and worth restoring!

[Bob Andersen]

Thanks. I'd forgotten all about this thread I really do love this set and will fully restore it.

Here's the set after a good cleaning and a little lemon oil.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3638/35579...4daa_z.jpg]

Here's a little recap of how I fixed the top.

BTW I did pick up some more appropriate butt walnut veneer for around the base. I think it will look better than the burled veneer
[Image: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2583/41589...4169_z.jpg]

[Image: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/49788...7398_z.jpg]

[Image: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4131/49788...4dd3_z.jpg]

[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3077/58507...6e5d_z.jpg]

As for finishing it up, nope it's still sadly neglected. Back when I got it, I was rather intimidated by the chassis. That's the main reason I went to such lengths on couple other Philcos - practice.

So, when will I get around to it ? Well, first I need to wrap up a few nearly done projects including my Philco 643.
Then, for better or worse, I'm going to tackle my first Predicta TV.
I hope to finally get to this 15DX by mid to late summer.

Recently, I've also been very distracted by this acquisition. I think Ron will recognize it
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/70788...4b18d0.jpg]

[Ron Ramirez]

Ah, the Mighty 690 - 1937 style. Congratulations!

Great job also on the top of that 15DX!

Bob, don't be intimidated by that 15 chassis. Believe me, that 15 is nothing compared to your 41-316.

[TA Forbes]

Yes, very nice work on the top of the model 15!

And you found a 37-690! Well done!!!

The model 15 is the last radio Philco made utilizing the "old" chassis. It is not complicated and fairly well laid out. However, it is a shallow chassis, and does not accept "modifications" well. SO... re-stuffing is probably the best way to restore this set.

You have some swell radios to restore!

Color me green..... with envy !!

[Bob Andersen]

Ah, the Mighty 690 - 1937 style. Congratulations!

Great job also on the top of that 15DX!

Bob, don't be intimidated by that 15 chassis. Believe me, that 15 is nothing compared to your 41-316.

Yeah, watching all your hard work on your 41-616 has pushed my 41-316 back in the restoration queue. I'll pull the 15 chassis out soon and do a little reconnoitering. As I recall, it's pristine.

Yes, very nice work on the top of the model 15!

And you found a 37-690! Well done!!!

The model 15 is the last radio Philco made utilizing the "old" chassis. It is not complicated and fairly well laid out. However, it is a shallow chassis, and does not accept "modifications" well. SO... re-stuffing is probably the best way to restore this set.

You have some swell radios to restore!

Color me green..... with envy !!

Thanks. I had an amazing run of luck over the last few weeks. First I scored a Philco 41-316, then a Tandem Predicta TV, then, very unexpectedly, a 37-690!

I've been sitting on the 690 for a few weeks, but I think it's time to let the cat out of the bag.

[Chicago Jimmy]

Nice job!

[Bob Andersen]

Thanks! Over the past couple years I managed to assemble a full set of Philco brand globe tubes Even some globe 42s.

Here's a pic with the tubes and the back installed.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3293/58272...4ba0_z.jpg]


I also got a set of Wheeler brand speakers and some grille cloth before the supply dried up. The pattern is running the wrong way though. Oh well, it's better than nothing for sure!
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/71234...ea45_z.jpg]

I'll try to restore the original speakers, but it's nice to have a backup set if needed.
[Image: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3400/35672...19ce_z.jpg] [Image: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2693/40812...43fe_z.jpg]

Here are some shots of cabinet damage. I'm going to try to touch it up rather than refinish.
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/71234...0410_z.jpg] [Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/71234...776c_z.jpg]

[Bob Andersen]

I pulled the chassis out this afternoon and noticed two recessed bolts on either side of the cabinet.
I wonder if I removed them, would the top section come off ? That would make it so much easier to work on.
[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/69975...4ce3_z.jpg]


Also, all the parts have arrived As soon as I clear off the workbench, work will begin! Thank Ron for prodding me on this one
I'll start a new thread for the electronic portion of the restoration.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/71436...a77a_z.jpg]

[Arran]

I pulled the chassis out this afternoon and noticed two recessed bolts on either side of the cabinet.
I wonder if I removed them, would the top section come off ? That would make it so much easier to work on.
[Image: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/69975...4ce3_z.jpg]


Also, all the parts have arrived As soon as I clear off the workbench, work will begin! Thank Ron for prodding me on this one
I'll start a new thread for the electronic portion of the restoration.
[Image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/71436...a77a_z.jpg]

It looks to me like they have a square nut at the top, if you can find the head of the bolts/machine screws it's certainly worth a try undoing them, but if it doesn't lift off don't force anything. A lot of people don't realize this but you can unscrew and remove the tops on many of the older Philco consoles, they are held on by wood screws from the underside. If you have to remove the side panels for repair or replacement, or repair the top, it's a useful feature, the front panels also can come out but the chassis shelf is sometimes in the way.
Regards
Arran