The PHILCO Phorum
40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - Printable Version

+- The PHILCO Phorum (https://philcoradio.com/phorum)
+-- Forum: Philco Radio Discussions (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Philco Electronic Restoration (https://philcoradio.com/phorum/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Thread: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question (/showthread.php?tid=26427)

Pages: 1 2 3 4

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - gary rabbitt - 04-27-2026

Hi tfonzart,
You mention about the button fitting through the holes is not good. You can put a dot of cheap rubber cement to hold in place, but most times they fit snugly.
The poor fitting between cabinet and the buttons is no doubt the tuner section needing some new mounts. They flatten after this long so the tuner assembly drops low. Ever see a nice looking radio with a round dial, but the dial sits low in the window? Same thing. Nothing worse than seeing a non centered dial in the cutout. Well I guess there are worse things.
Renovated Radios has mounts you'll have to buy them by size, I don't know if he lists model numbers and the part #s
Some will use grommets from the hardware store, but often they can be too hard and not squishy enough.
Installing the mounts, you can do one at a time to keep things pretty much lined up.

@RodB All the ones I've seen were the straight, flat pieces the button slips onto.

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 04-27-2026

Good suggestions Mike and Rod!

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 04-27-2026

Hey Gary - thanks for the suggestions.

I do have mounts so everything is sitting properly.

I was able to place a small piece of tape on the posts that the buttons clip on the end to and that was enough friction for them to stay on properly.

Also found a solution to the glass inlay

Took a piece of cloth off a new cloth wire, split it and was able to use that to slip the glass inlay inside the split cloth on each end. Worked surprisingly well.

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 05-05-2026

Starting to put everything back together now.
Everything seems to work (though I'm not picking up any shortwave even after connecting to the antenna in the console.) 
Overall the reception through the broadcast band is pretty good with noise in the signal dependent on which outlet I use in the house.
A lot of cabinet cleanup, with some restore-a-finish in a few places. 
Also, need to somehow replace the station labels - suggestions for that?

Overall, I learned just a ton. Made a number of dumb mistakes in retrospect and still so much to learn. 
Thanks for all the guidance along the way!

After:
   
Before:
   

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - RodB - 05-05-2026

Here's the station tabs for your set: https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/documents/philco_docs/labels/philco-1941-1942-call-letter-tab-sheets/

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 05-05-2026

Thanks Rod!

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - patrician56 - 05-05-2026

Hi tfonzart,
When you print the labels, I would suggest using a 30 lb. paper, or a matte presentation paper as opposed to regular printer paper. Both the 30lb and presentation papers are thicker than the regular printing paper and disperse the light from behind the labels better

I would also suggest having the labels printed on a laser printer as opposed to an ink jet as the printing with a laser printer is less prone to U V fading. If you do print using an ink jet printer, you can spray the printed labels with an Inkjet print fixative (Local art supply stores as well as Amazon carry this product). This will seal and protect the printing from u v fading as well as water and fingerprints, etc.
Fran

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 05-06-2026

Really helpful.
Thanks Fran!

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - gary rabbitt - 06-07-2026

Nice work tfonzart!
Catching up on replies Icon_smile
If and when you address the metal escutcheon, I found that Duplicolor 'Brass" is close to original. They used to have shorty spray can in their Odds n Ends paint line. It looked good and didn't have the flashy, cheap look of other "gold" paints.

The reproduction pushbuttons really make a difference.
Take care!

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - tfonzart - 06-07-2026

Thanks Gary!
Appreciate the escutcheon recommendation!

RE: 40-180 Restoration First Steps Question - radiorich - 06-07-2026

Hello tfonzart,
I really like those buttons they really look great that cabinet reminds me of my general Electric model L-916 .
Sincerely richard