[FStephenMasek]

We bought a Philco 40-195 today. I paid $33, as the sellers, a nice young couple, had no other takers. It has some spots of missing lacquer on the top, and scratches in the lacquer (not all the way into the wood) on one side. I don't know how much of it is "photofinish."

I think I will try touching up the lacquer and using Howards finish restorer on it. Any precautions or tips?

[Image: http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/...40-195.jpg]

[Robert]

How well does it play? :

[FStephenMasek]

I always replace the electrolytic and paper capacitors, test and replace resistors as needed, test and replace tubes as needed, and otherwise test and fix any radio before I try to power them up. My first step is usually to cut off the and discard the old power cord. I really like the look of this unit, and the control panel is far easier to see than on units with a flat front (e.g. most Zenith models), so I will fix it sooner, rather than later. I have already ordered the pushbuttons, and ordered and received new grille cloth. The speaker is good, and only two tubes were bad, so I am hopeful that it will be playing soon. I also have a 41-250 and all of what I need to fix it, although all of that rubber wire may take a while to change. I'll look at the chassis and decide which should be first based on what I see. Also, I am just learning to use spray lacquer, and the 40-195 needs to have the top refinished, while the 41-250 only needs waxing or some treatment with Howard's finish restorer.

[FStephenMasek]

I stripped the cabinet today. It is one of my favorite console radios. I like the slanted control panel, the brass escutcheon (better than plastic), and the fact that the inlay is real, not photofinish. It was not the start of the restoration, as I had ordered the reproduction grillecloth, push buttons, and chassis corner supports long ago. The rubber wiring replacement on it will be easier than on some other radios I've done, as the chassis does not seem as crowded as those other radios. By the way (see the thread on it) it took me three days to change the rubber wiring, capacitors, resistors, and output transformer on that 41-250 I mentioned in the post above from March of 2008.

[Radioroslyn]

Very nice set! Actually I thought it look really good to start with except the top. But I'm a bit lazy!!
Terry

[Ron Ramirez]

It will take a while to change the rubber wiring on this one, too. But, as you say, the chassis is not as crowded underneath so that is in your favor. These are really nice sets; I think you will be quite pleased when you're finished with it.