1944 Philco Radio [message #4703] |
Wed, 13 February 2008 11:55 ![Go to next message Go to next message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
Trell7369
Messages: 6 Registered: May 2009
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Esquire |
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While cleaning out my grandmothers attic, I came across this 1944 Philco Radio. It has alot of wear and tear to it but what do you expect from a radio thats been stored in the attic for over fifty Years ? I would like to see if I can get it working but I am afraid it would be very expensive and even if I drop the dinero, would it even work ? Neverless I got a great Antique That I am proud of, even if i can't getting working. What do you guys think ? Here are some pics i took of it. ![Photobucket](http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/Trell1973/RadioFront.jpg)
![Photobucket](http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/Trell1973/RadioDial.jpg)
![Photobucket](http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/Trell1973/RadioBack.jpg)
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Re: 1944 Philco Radio [message #4704 is a reply to message #4703] |
Wed, 13 February 2008 13:22 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
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Wayne Parham
Messages: 18758 Registered: January 2001
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Illuminati (33rd Degree) |
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I heard your message and have been meaning to call. Sorry I haven't yet. Looks like a sweet radio!You might be surprised - It may work right away. Or it may work but hum loudly. The capacitors in those old radios tend to be bad after so long in storage but you can replace them pretty cheaply. Sometimes the electrical cord is frayed or insulation brittle and cracked. If that's the case, replace the cord before plugging it in. Again, that's an inexpensive repair. Often times the tubes still work. If one is weak or not working at all, you can still get replacements. I have a ton of tubes, so I may have what you need, if you need any at all. Write back and let me know the condition. If it isn't working, you can probably get it running again pretty easily.
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Re: 1944 Philco Radio [message #4705 is a reply to message #4703] |
Wed, 13 February 2008 21:09 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
Shane
Messages: 1117 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (3rd Degree) |
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Wow. My parents have that exact same radio, but they won't let me have it yet! My suggestion besides replacing the caps would be to replace the selenium rectifier to individual diodes (if it has one). Also, I'm sure it has "live" chassis, so an isolation transformer and grounded 3-prong power cord would be a wise option. I would suggest going to this website and to their radio forum. I've had lots of help with some old radios and there are some very knowledgable people there.
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Re: 1944 Philco Radio [message #4706 is a reply to message #4703] |
Wed, 13 February 2008 22:09 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088 Registered: May 2009 Location: Smoky Mts. USA
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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Magnificent! The case is actually in wonderful condition. It's nitrocellulose lacquer finish is crazed a bit but the veneer seems mostly intact. Don't even wax it and especially, not with Pledge. Replace the buttons, get it working and let those 45 tubes work their magic. Lucky guy.
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Re: 1944 Philco Radio [message #4711 is a reply to message #4707] |
Thu, 14 February 2008 06:53 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088 Registered: May 2009 Location: Smoky Mts. USA
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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First, Trell has to decide whether to refinish. Restoration will lower any possible antique value. A thorough cleaning would be fine, tho. Just a few drops of Dawn in 2 cups of warm water applied with a damp, not wet, white cloth. Keep wiping until the cloth comes way clean, then rinse with damp, not wet cloth and wipe dry. Ordinarily, this would be followed by paste wax, Johnsons or Antiquax, but the crazing of the lacquer means some wax would remain in the cracks and be unsightly. If the lacquer is on tight, the wax can be brushed with a soft brush like you'd use to buff shoes and that will fix whatever wax remains. An intermediate way to restore the finish if antique value isn't important would be to use Behlen's Qualarenu to dissolve and re-form the old lacquer. Full re-finishing would involve stripping the lacquer with lacquer thinner and then professional re-spraying. You'd want to carefully choose a refinish shop for that, veneer damage is a real possibility. I'd have a reputable antique refinisher recommended by a good antique dealer in to look at the piece. Hard to tell from a photo but the veneer looks so good and so lovely I'd just clean and wax.
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