Philco 38-7 CS restoration
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
It's finally time to tackle the modified 38-7 chairside I picked up over two years ago. I was in pretty good condition except that someone hacked in a 78 rpm turntable 
[Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/4120...0cf5aa.jpg]
[Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4134...dae52d.jpg]
[Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/4135...3bb277.jpg]
I decided that had to go. First, I stripped the cabinet. Then, patched in the hole with a combination of wood and filler. Finally, some new bookmatched veneer was applied.
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6078...c48f44.jpg]
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6078...a2cfef.jpg]
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6077...82b460.jpg]
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6077...d0773b.jpg]
No more hole 
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6078...d241e6.jpg]
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
That leaves this panel to patch up. From what I've seen in photos of others sets, the cutout at the top is original. I think it was for ventilation ? Or maybe to allow for easy removal. I think the radio chassis was serviced via this removable panel.
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6078...0c00_z.jpg]
Posts: 2,353
Threads: 92
Joined: May 2010
City: Clayton, NC
Nice job covering the hack job! I have a model 650 MX that needs a total re-skin. Previous owner stripped ALL the veneer off of it. Not sure I'm up to the task, at least for now.
Does the cone centric tuning work on your set? I have heard that they can be tempermental....
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
Thanks! I'm not crazy about applying new veneer, but luckily this was a small job and went smoothly.
I haven't finished restoring it electrically yet. So far, I have cleaned the gunk out of the mechanism and re-lubed it. It operates smoothly now and I hope electrically too. Worst case scenario I have a spare cone-centric assembly salvaged from a 38-4 I can use.
Posts: 4,707
Threads: 51
Joined: Sep 2008
City: Sandwick, BC, CA
What sort of putty did you use to help fill the hole in the shelf? Auto body filler? As for the hacked up access penel I would be tempted to make a duplicate out of Baltic birch plywood of the correct thickness and veneer it rather then trying to patch the old one, it would be less work if you have the right tools.
I need to do some similar work to a Philco 620 cabinet, someone took a disk sander to the front and crudely carved two holes in the top. A friend of mine fixed it up as best as he could and gave it to me as a Christmas gift but you can still see the scars up close, he stained the cabinet dark so it wouldn't show as much but I still think that I will redo it at some point.
Regards
Arran
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
I cut a piece of hardwood to fill most of the void and filled in the rest with Minwax high performance wood filler. It really stinks, but sets up fast and sands easily.
Aside from a drill press, all I have are a few hand tools. I figure I can patch the holes and apply new veneer like I did one the shelf.
I've been applying Constantine walnut paste grain filler tonight and am almost done.
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6082...0dbc_z.jpg]
Posts: 4,707
Threads: 51
Joined: Sep 2008
City: Sandwick, BC, CA
Bob;
I was just thinking, if you don't have many tools or the time maybe you could contact Steve Davis if you need some cabinet parts made up. In don't know if he will make any part of any model Philco (or other makes and models) but he makes reproduction cabinets and parts for the 1932-34 Philco line that are frighteningly authentic.
Regards
Arran
Posts: 2,353
Threads: 92
Joined: May 2010
City: Clayton, NC
I'll second the motion about Steve. Excellent workmanship!
Posts: 13,776
Threads: 580
Joined: Sep 2005
City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
Motion carries. Steve does amazing cabinet work. 
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
Posts: 4,707
Threads: 51
Joined: Sep 2008
City: Sandwick, BC, CA
It's a little off topic but does Steve make parts for non Philco cabinets too?
Regards
Arran
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
I'm curious too. My RCA 222 had it's legs amputated and I'd like to have new ones made.
I finished with the grain filler and have moved on to lacquer sanding sealer. The changing grain orientation makes sanding a challenge.
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6083...8be9_z.jpg]
Posts: 2,128
Threads: 18
Joined: Oct 2008
City: Merrick, Long Island, NY
Your work is absolutely stunning. Don't know what the original legs looked like, but there are at least 100 ways to make them up again at least including scrounging, lathe, planing, etc... Take your time.
Posts: 797
Threads: 42
Joined: Dec 2008
City: Chicago, IL
Thanks! I've been collecting pictures of the original RCA 222 legs and lower shelf. Someday I'll scrape up some money and have replicas made.
I finished with sanding and moved on to toner lacquer.
First, I masked off the area around the lower shelf and sprayed a few light coats.
Once that dried, I masked it off and sprayed the top. Next up I'll move on to the sides.
I find it a lot easier to work in small sections rather than attempt to get an even coat over the whole cabinet at once.
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6122...e67e6b.jpg]
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6122...554b76.jpg]
[Image: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6122...9b5082.jpg]
Posts: 13,776
Threads: 580
Joined: Sep 2005
City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
Looks great. No one will ever know about the hack job done to it at one time.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
Posts: 1,402
Threads: 70
Joined: Oct 2007
City: Linn Creek, MO
Bandersen, You have done a wonderful job repairing the hole in your cabinet.
Arran Wrote:It's a little off topic but does Steve make parts for non Philco cabinets too?
Regards
Arran
Yes, I would make a one off part for a non Philco cabinet (or a Philco that I don't normally make reproduction parts for), if it is within my capability.
Steve
M R Radios C M Tubes
Users browsing this thread: 2 Guest(s)
|
|
Recent Posts
|
|
Made mistake & did not label connection
|
| You haven't given us the model number of the set so I looked up the 6A8 pin assignment. Pin 8 is the cathode and pin 7 i...RodB — 01:19 PM |
|
Made mistake & did not label connection
|
| Happy Thanksgiving all!
I have made a real bonehead mistake this time. Hope someone can help. I am trying to determi...georgetownjohn — 12:51 PM |
|
New Philco Repair Bench
|
| Apparently there is a new Philco Repair Bench found at https://philcoradio.com/repairbench/ When I try to go to order a ...dconant — 12:00 PM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
| Well, a wave trap is a trimmer in series with the coil so at the resonant frequency it provides a short to ground. This ...RodB — 10:07 AM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
| Rod, My radio is run 7. The wave trap is on that schematic as shown in the picture.
dconant — 09:21 AM |
|
American Bosch Model 802 auto radio
|
| Hi Arran ,
Thanks for your help with this radio.And especial thanks for letting me know to look it up under United Ame...Antipodal — 04:32 AM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
| Usually a wave trap is for keeping IF signals from entering the antenna and from leaving the antenna. You feed an IF sig...RodB — 09:30 PM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
|
I just peaked it for the best signal at 600.
NULL it for IF frequency, originally it would have been null for 500kh...Chas — 08:05 PM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
| Wavetrap no longer matters.morzh — 05:19 PM |
|
Philco 60 Squealing
|
| Rod, I had checked out your suggestions but did not help. I did solder the ground rivets to the chassis as Chas suggeste...dconant — 04:52 PM |
|
Who's Online
|
| There are currently no members online. |
|
 
|
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
