[markskala]

Hello all! I am having to replace the upper middle section of veneer on this 46-1226 Philco and need to know what type of veneer -Walnut? Seems too light for walnut. (The middle where the escutcheon sits from back of radio to trim over the RP door). Thank you!

Mark

[OldRestorer]

Are you talking about the wooden dial bezel?
It can be walnut but just a lighter toner color. I looked at some pics online and it looks like walnut but some look like oak too?
I'm sure someone here will know for sure

[markskala]

Thank you for your reply - not the wood bezel but that whole curved area the bezel is on. I have a number of old magazine ads I am searching as well in the hope it might say what type of veneer or finish it had.

[Arran]

There are several different species and what they call "Cuts" of veneer, from various parts of the tree, each can cause the colour and grain to differ significantly. What they typically liked to use on many radio cabinets was what they called "French Walnut" which is a lighter reddish brown colour, Philco liked to use quarter cut French walnut but also used plain cut. What you may be looking at is North American black walnut which is a greyish brown colour. There is also something called Claro walnut, which I haven't really seen on a radio cabinet, it's sort of between the two. It's best to go look at the gallery of various species and cuts of veneers on the Constantines website as a guide
Regards
Arran

[markskala]

Yes, I have seen the "American Walnut" and seen different cuts but never the "French". That is interesting information. My dad was a cabinet maker and I never paid attention - although he rarely did anything with veneers - I could have learned much more. In any case I will look for some French veneer cuts and see how they compare. I also noticed that this section has strips, looks like with opposing cuts? Not sure I would be able to do that. I will visit Constantines, too. Thanks again!

Regards,

Mark

[Arran]

You must mean bookmatched veneer, where they take several slices out of the same pieces of wood in succession, and they flip them over or rotate them to create a mirror image? The name of the outfit is Albert Constantine and Company, they also sell veneer but their photo gallery is quite useful sometimes. Another common species of veneer, at least on Canadian radio cabinets, was Australian Walnut, which is not a walnut at all, it has stripes in it rather like Honduras mahogany, but is not reddish.
Regards
Arran

[markskala]

Arran,

Thank you. I did visit their site and they have some nice product. The radio doesn't have to be exact, just a close resemblance would be ok. What's important is that it look nice and "period".

Regards,

Mark

[Marsupial]

When I fixed missing shoulder walnut veneer on my 47-1230 (big brother to your 46-1226) I simply used black walnut. It looks almost identical.

http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=5244