[PhilcoPhan1936]

I'm currently working on a Monitor Radio brand Philharmonic console, which I plan to try to sell once done. Waiting for a part to come in. In the meantime, I pulled down and opened up what is going to be my next personal restoration. A 1935 Philco 45C "Butterfly". This was a birthday present to myself back in February. Tubes have been checked, and only the 42 was a little low. The on-off switch isn't functional, so I'll have to pull that and see if it can be repaired. Otherwise, overall, it's in pretty good condition.

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My shop cat, Cleo likes it too!

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[PhilcoPhan1936]

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Looks like it has been worked on. The black bumblebee caps aren't original I assume.

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[jerryhawthorne]

Jeff, probably my favorite Philco table top. Just a great design. A very nice example. Color me green.
Jerry

[Nathan Slingerland]

Hi Jeff - I'm a big fan of the 45C too. Of course there are plenty of other Philco models that are better radios electronically - but this one has such an iconic design.

Anyway, I thought you might find this 'before' photo useful for comparison. It's from a 45C I restored a while ago:

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Sorry it's not oriented the same as your photo.

[PhilcoPhan1936]

Hi Jeff - I'm a big fan of the 45C too. Of course there are plenty of other Philco models that are better radios electronically - but this one has such an iconic design.

Anyway, I thought you might find this 'before' photo useful for comparison. It's from a 45C I restored a while ago:

[Image: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/3605...ccd0_b.jpg]

Sorry it's not oriented the same as your photo.

Nathan,
Wow! That's a clean chassis! Well, I can tell that the Output transformer on mine has been replaced. I also noticed that the 4989 Bakelite block under the voltage divider coil was removed, and a couple bumblebees put in its place.
Thanks for the look under yours. It helps!

[PhilcoPhan1936]

All the tubular film caps have been replaced now.

Question: does anyone know the value of the caps used in the tone control? The schematic does not give values, and the corresponding part number doesn't either. Philco Repair Bench also does not list that Tone control part number. The Philco Part Number is 30-4178. Any help appreciated!

[Arran]

 That one looks like it has made quite a few trips to the service shop, not only has the output transformer been replaced but the speaker is a Utah replacement. Not only do I see the bumblebomb caps but I noticed that it has a few Mallory black cardboard Malory replacements and perhaps one Sprague "Black Beauty". With regard to the tone control capacitors I think that you could use the values from another Philco model of the same year with the same number of positions on the switch, usually it's either two or three. One thing that I will say is that the cabinet looks pretty decent for having an original finish, maybe a few touch ups and another coat of lacquer would be all that it needs.
Regards
Arran

[Nathan Slingerland]

Here are the values that Ray Bintliff gives in his "Philco Condensers and More" 4th edition book:

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[PhilcoPhan1936]

Here are the values that Ray Bintliff gives in his "Philco Condensers and More" 4th edition book:

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Nathan,

Thanks! Big help. Much appreciated!

[PhilcoPhan1936]

 That one looks like it has made quite a few trips to the service shop, not only has the output transformer been replaced but the speaker is a Utah replacement. Not only do I see the bumblebomb caps but I noticed that it has a few Mallory black cardboard Malory replacements and perhaps one Sprague "Black Beauty". With regard to the tone control capacitors I think that you could use the values from another Philco model of the same year with the same number of positions on the switch, usually it's either two or three. One thing that I will say is that the cabinet looks pretty decent for having an original finish, maybe a few touch ups and another coat of lacquer would be all that it needs.
Regards
Arran

Arran,

Nathan posted back with what I needed. Thanks anyway.
I agree. I'll try to spiff up the cabinet with a minimal of work.
I can also be a stickler for originality, especially for radios I intend to keep for myself, so I'm debating about trying to find a replacement output transformer and speaker.

[PhilcoPhan1936]

Chipping away at the restoration of the 45C. One of the 1st things I checked was the on-off switch. It wouldn't switch on, so I knew I'd have to pull it and work on it. This switch, as far as I can tell, is not a Philco original part. I disconnected everything, and pulled it. I had to open it up to get access to the switch mechanism. I've had this cleaner for years, and it works great! A couple small squirts inside, and working the switch back and forth, got it working again.

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[PhilcoPhan1936]

While I had the volume control out, I had room to get to the tone control, and pulled it and replaced the caps in it.

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[PhilcoPhan1936]

Next is the Bakelite Blocks. This model has 3, originally. 4989 has been removed, so I rebuilt the other 2. A fellow collector had a spare 60 chassis, with a 4989, and I bought it, and it's on it's way in the mail.

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[PhilcoPhan1936]

Until I get the 3rd block in the mail, I'm now working on the electrolytics. 1st up is the single 6ufd. I cut the can open and gutted it. A replacement 8ufd- 450v is it's replacement. I put a long wire on the negative connection, and ran it over to a chassis ground, rather than having to deal with trying to solder or pinch the wire to the can and chassis.

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[KCMike]

 Coming along nicely Jeff. Looking good. Its always a plus to have a rust free chassis to work on and your cabinet looks like its in really nice shape also.