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

New acquisition, Philco 655B
#1

Well she made it to me safe & sound. The cabinet needs refinishing. It's been stained at some point in it's life. But, the cabinet is solid and all there. No nicks or chunks taken out. I haven't pulled the chassis yet to asses what it needs besides the usual. Brought it up on the variac, it just hummed. Good sign so far. Someone replaced one of the 42 tubes in the P-P section with a 41. The volume control was replaced with a switch of the wrong shaft size. Thank god for part sets Icon_wink Chassis is nice and clean, just dusty. Anyone have a pic of what the cabinet should look like? I would imaging Philco toned the sides dark? I can't find any good pics on the NET.

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/78822-1/655b1.JPG]

[Image: http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/d/78824-1/655b2.JPG]

-Brian
If you collect or are interested in antique telephones, please visit Classic Rotary Phones
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php
#2

It looks pretty nice. That chassis is very clean. There is a small picture in the gallery here on the PhilcoRadio site.

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1936b.htm#ae

Here is a pic of the 645B on the RadioAttic. I think its the same cabinet.

http://radioatticarchives.com/radio.php?radio=2273

Ed
#3

asses? Icon_wink
#4

LOL...assess I guess. Heck I don't know....lol.. Thanks for the links Ed Icon_wink

-Brian
If you collect or are interested in antique telephones, please visit Classic Rotary Phones
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php
#5

Somebody sure did strip the panel. The veneer looks pretty good as it sits.You should be able to wash off the stain on it with lacquer thinner. Couldn't see the sides, but if they aren't walnut veneer, then Philco used toned lacquer on that part. Don't fret about the Philco decal being missing. I have some advice about that. PM me at your convenience.

The grille cloth looks right, from your picture. Probably a bath in Renuzit will make it purty again.

Bandswitch knob looks like an early model, though. I'm beginning to be confused about that. On my late 116B, it has the bar knob. On the 640X that my aunt and uncle bought new in November, 1935, and that I have now, it had the round knob. I'd surely like to get straightened out on that!

I think I have a 645, but the finish is very light. You could call it blonde, even. I had to refinish it, and it came out exactly as it had been. These round topped tombstones must have come out late in the '36 model year (Ron would know). I also have this cabinet design in a 37-650 (as well as a 37-650X). It's a lot of radio for a table set.

This is just another one of the championship-performing Philcos. Yoiu can always count on being ecstatic at their operation when you get them done.
#6

Doug, another gents is going to restore the cabinet. The guy I bought this from told me his father bought it used toward the end of WWII. I asked him about the bar knob. He said as far back as he can remember, it had that bar knob. I know these were later sets for 36. I figured it should be a round knob. Out of three 116B sets, only one came with the bar knob. My 640X came with a round knob also. Everything else has a boar knob.

I was wondering if that grill cloth was/is original.

-Brian
If you collect or are interested in antique telephones, please visit Classic Rotary Phones
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php
#7

Very Nice Radio Brian!! Congrats!!! Enjoy the restoration!! Icon_wink




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
trying to identify this wire type
Thanks to all for the feedback. As Arran said, it is probably an older replacement and yes it has a grid cap so I will ...georgetownjohn — 09:32 PM
trying to identify this wire type
It's possible that the red wire, actually a grid cap lead, is a very old replacement, I can't remember seeing a pre 1939...Arran — 09:18 PM
Gilfillan Brothers Car Radio?
Hi everyone,  Special thanks to Joe Rossi for tracking down this obscure radio and thanks to others who took up the hun...Antipodal — 08:15 PM
trying to identify this wire type
Here's one source for your wire of many. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary P.S. Can't get the right color you need? I ...GarySP — 06:40 PM
trying to identify this wire type
...and modern wire of the appropriate gauges and insulation V-rating (300V minimum, usually shown right on the wire) is ...morzh — 05:47 PM
1930s Stromberg-Carlson Tombstone Radio need help identifying model number
I have a question about this radio, is there anyone that has access to this radio that has an intact unmolested speaker ...captainclock1988 — 04:28 PM
1930s Stromberg-Carlson Tombstone Radio need help identifying model number
Well what makes me confuse all of those companies is that all three of those companies (Setchell-Carlson, Stromberg-Carl...captainclock1988 — 04:21 PM
trying to identify this wire type
The red wire is rubber covered wire. The others are cotton braid over rubber often in colors or a tracer, also strand...Chas — 02:43 PM
trying to identify this wire type
Greetings Phorum members, Hope you can help me identify this type of wire in the photo I have attached.  I am not sure ...georgetownjohn — 01:53 PM
Philco 60 Squealing
All correct shields must be in place, all tubes correct no subs of any kind. Check any soldered, riveted ground conne...Chas — 01:24 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently no members online.

>