[Jim Skelly]

I have a model 87 highboy (not deluxe highboy with the disappearing doors) with broken door pulls. I found an unbroken pair of door pulls, but I'm not sure they are correct. My cabinet does not have exposed screws on the back side of the cabinet doors. I'm guessing that a coarsely threaded screw is mounted on the front of each door and somehow securely fastened, and then the door pull threads onto the screw. In Ron Ramirez' book, Philco 1928-1942, it appears this pull was used on models 40,65,76, and 95 as well. It doesn't look like this pull was used on any other model year of production.

How do I safely remove the broken door pulls without cracking the wood? Do I use a pair of lock pliers? Do I turn the pulls in a counterclockwise direction? Thanks for your assistance.

Jim Skelly

[Ron Ramirez]

Hi Jim

That is odd. I once junked a Model 95 highboy that was in very bad condition. Its door pulls had exposed screws on the inside of each door. I think I still have them around here somewhere...but I have no idea where since my recent move.

I'm afraid I can't offer any suggestions here. You might try carefully turning one of the handles counterclockwise, but don't force it. If anything seems odd, STOP right away before anything is harmed.

Perhaps someone else will chime in with suggestions.

[visierl]

I recently acquired a model 87 with one broken (and loose) door pull. I was able to unscrew it. The door has a hold bored in the front not all the way through that holds a metal disk with a hole in the middle that traps a screw in the center of the hole. The pull threads onto the end of the screw and tightens down on the front of the door. It is a standard right hand thread. I don't have the screw in-hand at the moment, so I can't tell you the exact size and thread (or whether it is a modern size and thread). My disk has come loose and no long properly traps the screw, so I am planning to pull it out and set it back in, probably using hide-glue to hold both the disk and screw.

If anyone has a spare set of door pulls for this radio, I would love to hear from you. I will be searching...

[DaleHCook]

If anyone is looking for replacement door pulls or handles I suggest looking in a large supplier of architectural salvage, as it is possible that Philco bought pulls off the shelf. I am fortunate to have one locally - you may have seen them on the TV show "Salvage Dawgs."

[visierl]

Great suggestion, thanks!

[RodB]

Photos help a lot.