Newbe to classic tube radio - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Delta Steve · #1 03-04-2012, 09:07 PM

I have always admired old radios and I finally took the plunge just got a Philco 41-226 "Sled" vintage tube radio from fellow in Warren Oh. I can,t wait to get it. I have a little tube experience with amplifiers. This will new for me.

Sandy G · #2 03-04-2012, 09:13 PM

Radios are a bit different than straight amps...But INFINITELY more fun, I think...Just THINK of all the stuff yr Radio possibly has "Heard" in its long life...Pearl Harbor, Surrender, Korea, McCarthy, Rock 'n' Roll...

bgadow · #3 03-04-2012, 09:55 PM

I'm a big fan of the pre-war Philcos. If I could only collect one brand I think that would be it. That should be a pretty easy set to restore. I agree with Sandy, the magic to me is thinking of the WW2 news these broadcast.

Delta Steve · #4 03-04-2012, 10:43 PM

Thanks I am sure I will have a lot to learn.
I may have question. The last radio I built was a Crystal set when I was 8 years old.

radio nut · #5 03-05-2012, 06:54 PM

Well Welcome to the forum and let me say there are a lot of very intelligent people to assist if you need it. I am self taught and if it weren't for some great advice here I would have not been able to finish some radios and televisions.I am still learning alot.

7"estatdef · #6 03-09-2012, 07:11 AM

Hi welcome!
The big pain on those Philcos after '37 thru the war is that doggone rubber wire. 37' has the David Grimes sub chassis issue. Pre '37 are probably the easiest to work on.
GL
Terry

***Kamakiri*** · #7 03-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Except for those bakelite block condensers. Those are a PITA

Electronic M · #8 03-09-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamakiri

Except for those bakelite block condensers. Those are a PITA

Your kiddin' me! Those are my favorite cap type to rebuild. All ya gotta do is unsolder the connections (same as with any cap), unscrew it, my favorite part...scrape the old guts with a screwdriver (perhaps I should say that with a Peter Lore tone

), thread new cap leads through the rivets, and reinstall.

And the BEST part of all no SMELLY wax to melt either in cleaning out the old guts or in sealing new guts in (after all no one, even if they look under the chassis, is going to look under the caps so why put new wax in)!

7"estatdef · #9 03-10-2012, 04:55 PM

I don't mind the Bakelite blocks. By '41 it isn't going to have many, probably just the line bypass.
Terry

Delta Steve · #10 03-12-2012, 09:56 AM

I received my radio it is a nice one. UPS tried their best to demolish it the box it came in was damaged and it traveled less than 150 miles. It got slammed so hard that it ripped the front chassis screw out and the preset buttons ended up inside the cabinet. The guy packed it super well to, but no permanent damage was done. It needs a new power switch. I tried to clean it but it only makes contact when you hold it in. I got a switch yep same switch from ACE hardware now it will take some surgery.

radio nut · #11 03-12-2012, 09:10 PM

sharp radio. Hopefully your repairs to it go smoothly!

Delta Steve · #12 03-12-2012, 11:16 PM

Thanks: what I did to see if this radio worked was I looked it over carefully. all the condensers had been replaced and the wiring was in good shape so I jumper-ed the tubes and put a cord switch in the mains connection. it turned on and works great,got all the local stations on AM clear and a couple on SW so if I don't have to work this weekend I will attempt to replace the power switch.

wa2ise · #13 03-13-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta Steve

I received my radio it is a nice one. UPS tried their best to demolish it the box it came in was damaged and it traveled less than 150 miles. It got slammed so hard that it ripped the front chassis screw out and the preset buttons ended up inside the cabinet. The guy packed it super well.

Yea, you gotta pack stuff well enough to feel comfortable to toss/roll it down a flight of stairs.

Sandy G · #14 03-13-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa2ise

Yea, you gotta pack stuff well enough to feel comfortable to toss/roll it down a flight of stairs.

Well, that's the thing-Shipping companies will pay off on damage claims, but, in so many cases like this, the stuff is virtually irreplacable...How many of these 70-yr-old radios are still out there ? I don't want money- I just want my STUFF to get here intact...Nowhutimean, Vern ?!?

Delta Steve · #15 03-14-2012, 09:37 AM

You are so right Sandy. It was not like it was a Ipod that could be replaced in a New York minute. You just never know when you ship something.