[BenWA]

Hello! I am new to the forum.

I have been a long time fan of records, especially 78s, and by extension vintage stereos and such.

Tomorrow I am going to buy a potential fixer-upper Philco model 41-608P for all of $50. They say the radio works but the record player needs work. The info I found about the model here on this site says:

Production figures for this set are not available, but the 41-608 was clearly Philco's top selling radio-phonograph of the 1941 season as many examples survive and are not difficult to find.

The set features Philco's new Beam of Light phonograph pickup, used with an automatic record changer. The radio uses nine tubes and receives the standard AM band and shortwave from 9 to 12 mc.

Some models may be found with the optional record cutter unit; an extra tone arm with a crystal cartridge, used to make 78 rpm recordings with the blank discs that were available at the time for the purpose.

Original selling price: $129.95

Number made: Not available

Source: http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1941a.htm#ar

$130 in 1941 is the equivalent of about $2,000 now!

As you'll see below in the photos from the ad, it looks like it has the record cutter option. Not that it's very useful these days, but it's still neat that it has it.

[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...00x450.jpg]
[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...g~original]
[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...g~original]
[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...g~original]

[sam]

welcome benWA
very nice set looks like some one started to restore it
even though it works should think about replacing caps and electrolytics if not done yet. here is some info on bol
http://www.philcorepairbench.com/
and chuck schwark has great schematic's for it very cheap too
sam

[BenWA]

Yes, I have already been reading about caps here: http://www.antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

I'm not the best at soldering but then again, it could also be that I haven't had the right soldering iron tips and wattage iron for the jobs I have done in the past on non-antique stuff.

I need to get some scrap electronics to practice on I guess before I start on this.

I don't know what I have gotten myself into with the "beam of light" ("BOL") thing! Tech created back then never ceases to amaze me.

I am on a tight budget for things... but I was already planning on getting a console of some kind so this is right up my alley. I am trying to decorate my new apartment in 40's-50's furniture, or at least in the style. Yesterday I found an old fashion style "banker's lamp" with a brass body and green glass globe. It's modern made but the style is early 20th century. Newer stuff like a TV, my laptop, my lifetime subscription Sirius receiver w/ matching boombox (tuned in to "40's on 4" right now ) will be sprinkled in the living room but for the most part, I'm trying to go 40's style.

I am just so much in love with art deco styles of the era that this Philco console is going to the centerpiece of the room, I think. Even when it's not yet restored, it'll be a work of art to look upon. My Sirius receiver can sit on top of it, blasting out music from that era.

[OldRestorer]

Heyo!

Welcome to the finest Phorum on the internet.

Kirk

[Art Hoch]

BenWA

Sounds like you are hopelessly addicted now. Welcome to the group. You'll find lots of help here.

[klondike98]

Welcome to the Phorum!!

[KCMike]

Welcome. You can get a lot of help here 1 radio usually leads to 2 to3,4,5,6,7....
good luck.

[PAradiogeek]

Welcome BenWA,

Good luck with your radio/phono. Lots of people here who are willing and able to help.

Jon

[BenWA]

I got it home fine in my little car. The guy helped me load it ... and unloading it was easy enough by myself.

I'm in for some fun regarding the record player. The wires to the stylus arm are all undone.

I got to hear the radio working so at least I don't have to completely rewire that from scratch. I can go though replacing one paper cap at a time. Of course, I'm not going to plug it in and run it any until I begin working on it. It still has the original power cord.

Here is an album of photos I took: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/illiop/l...08P/sept11

Does anyone know of free schematics for this model?

[BenWA]

Dang, I may not even HAVE to restore the radio (much).

Isn't that a red modern capacitor? amung the tubes?

[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...ny1165.jpg]

It was in someone's garage so the inside is pretty caked in dust but heck, that can happen in a mere 2-3 years easily. There are pieces of duct tape in there with black marker saying "Philco 41-608", like on the speaker and the side of the chassis.

Someone's had this apart and done work on it. That might be why the radio is working at 73 years of age. I need to replace the power cord, though. It has the original one with what looks like a 50 year old dangerous style "repair" end with thin, loose cardboard coverinng the 120v wires/screws inside.

[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...ny1167.jpg]


Also, take a look at how new those bolts washers look that are holding in the chassis:

[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...ny1166.jpg]

[BenWA]

HOLY MOLY!!! LOOK!

It just needs a new power cord pretty much! And the record player restoration of course.

[Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/i...ny1168.jpg]

[Radioroslyn]

Boy O Boy you hit the jackpot! No rewiring and cap replacement.
Terry

[BenWA]

Maybe not.

I had an analog multimeter hooked up to a couple leads checking for voltage for the phonograph... and the radio started to smell burning and the multimeter showed nothing. I quickly unplugged the radio. I have removed the chassis but I don't see any burned or blown wires or capacitors.

The multimeter still works (tested on a 1.5V battery) so it didn't get fried, nor should it have damaged anything in the radio.

One of the vac tubes looked foggy/smokey inside but cleared up after several minutes once it was unplugged

Is that just the sign of a failing vac tube or should I pull each tube and check the sockets?

EDIT: With the chassis removed and sitting on a plastic box on it's side (not leaning on any tubes) and the radio plugged in to an outlet on a switch across the room, one of the front vac tubes is flickering blue inside like lightning some. Is it burning out or what? I didn't smell anything burning, but the multimeter is also not hooked up anymore.

EDIT 2: Now that tube isn't doing that.. but I hear what sounds like sizzling from either a tube or from a power block. I can't tell which and frankly I don't want to get too close to it. Do vac tubes ever explode? I'd hate to be close to one if they do.

EDIT 3: I created a new topic about this in the proper place: http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=10499