This is done and working fine. Just need to replace the dial glass.
I did figure out that the dial light fits into a small clip on the underside of the case. I put a small led light in there which will use much less power and have no heat. The light socket comes with this cardboard/asbestos(?) shield around it.
Before and after.
(This post was last modified: 09-23-2025, 12:32 PM by bridkarl.)
Thanks. I’m still not happy with the lacquer touchup which looks like I used a crayon on it. I’m not sure if I should use 0000 steel wool on that to smooth it down. Giving it a few weeks to dry. Otherwise all the electronics like caps have been checked and replaced, new led lamp, new power cord, case cleaned up.
Way better than when you got it. As I have aged I am far more forgiving to a case that may not be Factory 110%. As long as it plays well. Have fun with it. Paul
hello Paul,
I agree with you about what you said about "Way better than when you got it. As I have aged I am far more forgiving to a case that may not be Factory 110%. As long as it plays well."
Thanks. The original description said "gets power and static but no stations" so that's fixed. It sounds really OK. I'm ordering a new dial today since this one is really bad.
For my next project -- I have three - yes three - 40-155 - to fix. I really shouldn't go to charity auctions, but I think Boy Scouts are a good group.
It was about $40 from Radio Daze. I now have a spare - useable but flaky (see earlier picture) I am willing to dispose of. Still need a knob and some chassis screws.
Yes, I have a restored 42-340 on my workroom shelf that has a badly flaked dial and I can't see paying $45 for a new one. It appears to have a decal that was defective or improperly applied. I've seen other dials of the same year in the same condition.
I normally would not spend $40 either, but the case came out really nicer than I expected.
My thought is if this was 1942 - maybe they had inexperienced factory workers who did the application wrong - given start of the war or they were using up old stock of decals which, as you say, were defective
The dial on my 42-327 was really bad, it was flakey when I first got the set, and when I finally got around to restoring the chassis the numbers in the center were all but gone, but the gold border was still there. I have a new dial but I will stay in a safe place until I refinish the cabinet. From the pictures I have seen some of these 42-322, 42-323 and 42-327 sets have good dials, and others are flaking, Philco must have got a bad batch of dials that some sets got but some did not?
Regards
Arran
(This post was last modified: 11-04-2025, 02:44 PM by Arran.)