12-28-2015, 11:29 PM
Alas, I was able to get the radio working with the existing permanent magnet speaker! The previous repairman evidently had the right idea, but only used a 500 ohm wirewound resistor. I replaced it with a 10 watt, 1250 ohm and it plays great. Voltages check out OK. I was also able to get the pesky band switch indicator light dial string restrung, so that works now too. Add to that setting the 5 station pre-sets to 5 local stations, and the set functions like it should have in 1941. Even that troublesome off/on pushbutton works!
Here are a couple of before and after restoration pics:
Before:
After:
Yes, I know I didn't use the correct grille cloth, but I had this on hand and quite frankly, I like it better than the original pattern. Incidentally, the fabric on the before restoration pic, as you can see, had been replaced sometime in the past with something that also wasn't correct. It was stained so I replaced it.
Believe it or not that is the original finish on the cabinet in the restored picture! There was that much grease and grime on the cabinet (the radio was probably used in a kitchen) that good 'ol GoJo and a soft bristle brush brought out the light wood original color stain again. All I had to do was touch up the black trim otherwise no other wood refinishing was done to the cabinet. The Tenite dial bezel was another story:
I had to carefully block and clamp the center section flat with wood then heat each end with a heat gun on low to VERY carefully bend each side panel back out again. It still wanted to spring back some despite several attempts, so finally I just used two tiny screws to hold each side flush to the cabinet. That and having to use clear silastic to glue the dial glass to it because everyone of those original little clips that held it in place broke with just the slightest touch. But that's all concealed inside the cabinet behind the dial back plate on the chassis. Steel wool and polishing compound brought the original sheen back to the bezel, so all in all it doesn't look too bad. It was just unfortunate that Philco used that stuff for dial bezels before the war. Of course they couldn't have imagined someone would still be using these radios 75 years later!
Here are a couple of before and after restoration pics:
Before:
After:
Yes, I know I didn't use the correct grille cloth, but I had this on hand and quite frankly, I like it better than the original pattern. Incidentally, the fabric on the before restoration pic, as you can see, had been replaced sometime in the past with something that also wasn't correct. It was stained so I replaced it.
Believe it or not that is the original finish on the cabinet in the restored picture! There was that much grease and grime on the cabinet (the radio was probably used in a kitchen) that good 'ol GoJo and a soft bristle brush brought out the light wood original color stain again. All I had to do was touch up the black trim otherwise no other wood refinishing was done to the cabinet. The Tenite dial bezel was another story:
I had to carefully block and clamp the center section flat with wood then heat each end with a heat gun on low to VERY carefully bend each side panel back out again. It still wanted to spring back some despite several attempts, so finally I just used two tiny screws to hold each side flush to the cabinet. That and having to use clear silastic to glue the dial glass to it because everyone of those original little clips that held it in place broke with just the slightest touch. But that's all concealed inside the cabinet behind the dial back plate on the chassis. Steel wool and polishing compound brought the original sheen back to the bezel, so all in all it doesn't look too bad. It was just unfortunate that Philco used that stuff for dial bezels before the war. Of course they couldn't have imagined someone would still be using these radios 75 years later!
Greg V.
West Bend, WI
Member WARCI.org
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