Welcome Guest! Be sure you know and follow the Phorum Rules before posting. Thank you and Enjoy! (January 12) x

Thread Closed
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Philco 38-620 'Big Bullet' cabinet refinishing
#1

I just got back from a long weekend away, and while I was gone I saw a Philco 'big bullet' radio on display- but not for sale.  I've always considered these radios to be an iconic design- one of the best designs of the 30's, but have never owned one.  The day after I got home, I was browsing things for sale locally and found this.  It's a model 38-620:

   

It's unfortunately missing the surround that goes around the dial as well as the glass.  

But otherwise is complete and the cabinet is not missing any veneer.  The grill cloth is in good condition.  Even the chassis is complete, original and fairly clean, though things are so close together underneath it kind of scares me!  After I removed the chassis I found the tube diagram and model label underneath, loose in the cabinet.

Since I had a great experience doing my 38-8 console's cabinet and learnt a few things along the way, I figured I would do the same here and post some updates as I work on it so others can see the progress.

It appears that originally the base, and portion underneath the arch on the left side were almost the same shade of brown as the rest of the cabinet.  I am debating whether I want to go slightly darker to give it some contrast... or stick with something more authentic...


Messages In This Thread
Philco 38-620 'Big Bullet' cabinet refinishing - by adamrobertg - 08-15-2017, 02:13 PM



Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
RodB :beerchug:Vlad95 — 10:22 AM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
Vlad, you nailed it. Swiss and German roots.RodB — 09:54 AM
5U4 vs 5Z4 tubes
Well this is a Hallicrafters SX/9 circa 1936. No real issues so far although I dodged a real bullet with a cap that was...bridkarl — 07:59 AM
5U4 vs 5Z4 tubes
The pinout is the same but the 5U4 has a 3 amp filament, verses 2 amps or less on the 5Z4. I think that the pinout of a ...Arran — 12:04 AM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
By the way. osanders0311 Take a look here: Dial cord stringing Guides May be here you can fount correct string settin...Vlad95 — 11:15 PM
5U4 vs 5Z4 tubes
5U4 and 5Z4 almost identical. I think nothing happened if you left 5U4 instedad 5Z4 long time. Just heater current 5U4 ...Vlad95 — 11:02 PM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
Hello Vlad95 , Very Funny ! Sincerely Richardradiorich — 11:01 PM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
RodB You are European yourself   :evil: I'm Canadian for the last 30 years  :snowman: But not Yankee  :lol: Vlad95 — 10:49 PM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
The band switch selects different oscillator coils for the band selected. I would look for a bad connection in the switc...RodB — 10:31 PM
Philco 42-345 Restoration/Repair
Hang in there...PaulPaul Philco322 — 09:30 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently no members online.

>