[streetmechanic]

I guess I'm a Philco snob- I've worked only on things like the 112, 116, even a 690, and though these things were a lot of work I could be happy with the restorations I did. This 42-1003 (which, incidentally, now plays well- who'd a thunk?) defies craftsman-like repair. J-hooks and tack-solder joints are now everywhere, but what can you do when, for example, one lug on a terminal strip is home to eight (yes...EIGHT) wires! Add another terminal strip? Sounds good, except we're talking about a small and very crowded chassis. Maybe I'll just have to be happy with the fact that the set now works, the worst rubber-covered wires are replaced, and the workmanship is slightly better than when it left the Philco factory.
   For me, the most rewarding part of playing with old electrical and mechanical gadgets is the time-travel aspect- answering the question "What was it like to be there?" This experience is a reminder that for most people before World War II, 690's and 116's were not what "Radio" meant.
-Dave