[37silverstreak]

+2 with respect to the new replacement switch. If it means getting your set working again, use it! I bet the memory of the plastic switch will fade rapidly when you have your radio up again.

Police band not only allows you to get the full modern broadcast band, it also has some interesting shortwave broadcasts on it.

Another option for getting a control would be to post what you need here in the Phorum. A Philco 60 control is not rare, and I would think that there are many model 60 parts chassis out there.

Thanks for the replies guys! Actually, by the time Ron posted his reply I already had the replacement switch wired in! After thinking about it, I pretty much came to the same conclusions, and if bypassing the band affects the set's performance then I don't want that either.
I'm not against making compromises when needed. I was just expecting something a little more substantial, but if it works, it works! I guess there is no escaping our plastic technology.