[PhilcoPhan1936]

If anyone has a guide or can put together a guide, or a post has been done about the dial cable on a Philco 95 Lowboy (or similar), I would appreciate some help. I picked up in July a 95 Lowboy, and the dial cable is broken. I've heard these can be difficult to repair. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[PhilcoPhan1936]

Here you can see the broken cable.

[Image: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4259/3568...ac90_k.jpg]

[Ron Ramirez]

Paging Radioroslyn Terry...come in Terry...

I *think* he came up with a solution previously? Or maybe it was someone else?

[Radioroslyn]

Dang it !!!! I've got to get A life!!!!!!!

They are a bit of a pita. Since you have the old ones measure them. If I remember correctly they are the same length. I used some steel stranded wire that is used for hanging pictures. Make a loop at both end at the measure length. I don't think you can install it with removing the cap rotor to gain access to the rear worm. It's been a number of years ago when I did the last one. Attach the wire to the rear worm peg and wind it on to the worm so that there just enough wire left to attach the wire and tension spring to the dial drum.
Reinstall the the cap rotor and worm assembly with out losing tension on the rear wire. This is the pita part!!!
Once you get that back together attach the front wire and spring to the drum. Wrap front wire onto the front worm and hook the loop over the peg.

GL and let me know if you made up any new words while preforming this task.

Terry

[PhilcoPhan1936]

Dang it !!!! I've got to get A life!!!!!!!

They are a bit of a pita. Since you have the old ones measure them. If I remember correctly they are the same length. I used some steel stranded wire that is used for hanging pictures. Make a loop at both end at the measure length. I don't think you can install it with removing the cap rotor to gain access to the rear worm. It's been a number of years ago when I did the last one. Attach the wire to the rear worm peg and wind it on to the worm so that there just enough wire left to attach the wire and tension spring to the dial drum.
Reinstall the the cap rotor and worm assembly with out losing tension on the rear wire. This is the pita part!!!
Once you get that back together attach the front wire and spring to the drum. Wrap front wire onto the front worm and hook the loop over the peg.

GL and let me know if you made up any new words while preforming this task.

Terry

Terry,
A pictorial or video would help . I'll try as you suggest, though it may be a while before I make an attempt at it. I have a couple radios ahead of this I need to finish and sell off to make room to work. I like to gather info and parts ahead of a job, so I can jump in somewhat prepared. I'll post back when I start on it, and I'll try to make a point of this repair being the 1st. Thanks!

[Kestas]

I just yesterday picked up a Philco 95 parts set -- all intact except it's an amputee. Would a picture of the dial string help? I haven't yet completely assessed it.

[PhilcoPhan1936]

I just yesterday picked up a Philco 95 parts set -- all intact except it's an amputee.  Would a picture of the dial string help?  I haven't yet completely assessed it.

Yes, any detailed pics would be very helpful, thank you! Whenever you have time. It's down the road on the repair list, so I'm just getting info and parts together for when I do start work on it.

[Chris h]

I did mine about 1-1/2 years ago, and as I recall it was a real PITA.  I wish I could give you a step by step method for the way I did it, but I made so many attempts that I can not remember which method that I used.  I do remember that I removed the rotor from the capacitor and had removed the cap from the chassis to be able to get to everything.  I think that I got the rear cable on first then fought with the front cable.  I also used several pairs of small Vise Grip pliers to hold things from turning while I put in the pin.  Sorry that I can't be of more help.  Good luck, and you will find the limitations of your vocabulary.

[Kestas]

I went and took a look at the chassis I have.  The dial string is designed to pull from both sides.  The setup is rotationally symmetric around a vertical axis.  I couldn't take a picture of the setup on the back side.  Here are pictures and a sketch to show what is going on.

           

[PhilcoPhan1936]

I went and took a look at the chassis I have.  The dial string is designed to pull from both sides.  The setup is rotationally symmetric around a vertical axis.  I couldn't take a picture of the setup on the back side.  Here are pictures and a sketch to show what is going on.

The pics will be a big help. Thank you!

[Radioroslyn]

Great drawing! Maybe a moderator can put this  in the tech section for future restringers.

[Arran]

 Is the dial cable actually broken or did it just slip off on one end? Or did one of the loops come undone? It looks like the original stuff was a bronze dial cable, AES used to sell that stuff for repairing Radiola 18s and other such sets, I don't know if they still carry it though. This looks close but probably too thick:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013H...EMF29PNDQA

Regards
Arran

[Kestas]

That may be the exact size. I measured the wire rope thickness at 1/16".

[Radioroslyn]

With a $12 spool I think I see business opportunity!!!

[PhilcoPhan1936]

 Is the dial cable actually broken or did it just slip off on one end? Or did one of the loops come undone? It looks like the original stuff was a bronze dial cable, AES used to sell that stuff for repairing Radiola 18s and other such sets, I don't know if they still carry it though. This looks close but probably too thick:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013H...EMF29PNDQA

Regards
Arran

Arran,

Yes, the dial cable is broken. There's a frayed end hanging loose.
It'll be a while before I get around to working on this, but I like to get my parts and ducks in a row before I start on a radio. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.