[Trooperdan]

Hi all, Just found a great old classic radio, that is the good news. It is a Philco model 89L from about 1933... that is the bad news. I've read enough of the restoration articles on here to have learned this model is also known as the "Philco from h###"! I suppose that is due mostly to the many variations in schematics for this model. I'll try to pin down which version I have and I am sure I'll be whining and crying the blues and asking for help here very often in the coming weeks and days. I am a general class HAM radio op and many decades ago I went through an army basic electronics course so I used to know a bit of theory but advancing age I am sure has erased most of that.
This set hasn't been powered up, due mainly to a missing plug on the power cord! My plan is to check the tube and replace the electrolytic caps before trying to apply power. I don't have a variac and I understand that is a good tool to have... any recommendations for an inexpensive variac? And any hints on replacing the caps?