View Full Version : Scored A 1953 PHILCO


damen
06-20-2013, 01:12 PM
I got this for $50 on craigslist and I have ordered all the caps to restore it. The 21ep4 non aluminized Crt was original and weak. Emissions came up to 70% after a long worm up but takes about 7 or 8 min. each time I let it cool down. I was lucky to pick up a couple of old sets a Zenith and a Hoffman with beat up cabinets and the Zenith had a Sylvania replacement Aluminized 21ep4a that was good :banana: I will post more Pics. when it is done

47'Plymouth
06-20-2013, 03:42 PM
I have a factory service manual....can send you a copy!

stromberg6
06-20-2013, 04:41 PM
EXACTLY what I have been wanting for many years!! All the best with your great find. Had a 1951 17 incher with full doors, and wired remote control, but it was thrown out without my knowledge. :tears:
Does yours have the power transformer, or the seleniums?
Kevin

damen
06-20-2013, 09:14 PM
EXACTLY what I have been wanting for many years!! All the best with your great find. Had a 1951 17 incher with full doors, and wired remote control, but it was thrown out without my knowledge. :tears:
Does yours have the power transformer, or the seleniums?
Kevin
Sorry to here that was thrown out that sounds like a neat set. Hopefully one will come your way soon. Mine has the selenium's.

Eric H
06-20-2013, 10:40 PM
I have the exact same set but in Maple and no UHF tuner, also the knobs are different, and so's the grille cloth, but other than that it's exactly the same. :D

http://www.vintagetvsets.com/philcof.htm

Einar72
06-21-2013, 12:04 AM
Are you scrapping the Zenith?

bandersen
06-21-2013, 12:30 AM
I have the exact same set but in Maple and no UHF tuner, also the knobs are different, and so's the grille cloth, but other than that it's exactly the same. :D

http://www.vintagetvsets.com/philcof.htm

I have a NOS Philco UHF upgrade kit that I think would work in your set.

damen
06-21-2013, 09:21 AM
Are you scrapping the Zenith?
Yea the sets were stored in a very old leaky garage, the guy had a tarp over the roof to help keep the water out and the sets were in very poor condition and covered with mold. I gave the cabinets away on Craigslist cause I had no where to put them.

dieseljeep
06-21-2013, 06:37 PM
I have the exact same set but in Maple and no UHF tuner, also the knobs are different, and so's the grille cloth, but other than that it's exactly the same. :D

http://www.vintagetvsets.com/philcof.htm

Reminds me of Cheech and Chong: "It's the same, only different". :D

cwmoser
06-22-2013, 07:32 AM
A picture of 1953 Philco Televisions is what got me interested in this hobby.
I saw this picture and immediately started looking for one to learn how to restore. Check out the picture of two NOS 1953 Philco TVs - love to have one.

I've picked up 6 other antique TVs but still have not found that 1953 Philco that
got me to move from antique radios to televisions:-)

I think you have a great restoration project.

Carl

compucat
06-22-2013, 02:49 PM
A picture of 1953 Philco Televisions is what got me interested in this hobby.
I saw this picture and immediately started looking for one to learn how to restore. Check out the picture of two NOS 1953 Philco TVs - love to have one.

I've picked up 6 other antique TVs but still have not found that 1953 Philco that
got me to move from antique radios to televisions:-)

I think you have a great restoration project.

Carl

I love that style of set. It looks like a 17" screen. I know many people including collectors are not too excited about the typical 1950s console but I really like the style of them, even the plain ones. Many of them seem to have good build quality also. I would love to have had one of those NOS Philcos.

Dan Starnes
06-22-2013, 04:45 PM
Nice set!!

jr_tech
06-22-2013, 06:39 PM
Please pardon the crummy picture, but here is one of my '53 17" Philcos, which, I believe has the "dealer add" UHF tuner. Perhaps this is similar to the one Bandersen has?

jr

Eric H
06-22-2013, 06:56 PM
I have a NOS Philco UHF upgrade kit that I think would work in your set.

Thanks Bob but I like the look of brass cover they put over the hole for the UHF tuner, UHF is useless now anyway.

"High Fidelity" "Golden Grid"
http://www.vintagetvsets.com/images/ggrid.jpg

Here's an old video of my 53 Philco working (http://www.vintagetvsets.com/videos/live.wmv), the video is lousy but that "High Fidelity" sound comes through pretty well.
Not sure what tube these use for Audio Output or if it's Push-pull?

Reece
06-22-2013, 08:36 PM
Love the video, and, I remember those Live Better Electrically ads!

compucat
06-22-2013, 09:09 PM
Thanks Bob but I like the look of brass cover they put over the hole for the UHF tuner, UHF is useless now anyway.


I used to avoid VHF only sets because most of our local stations were on UHF but now I like them because all I need is channel 4 for DTV boxes or channel 5 for my Blonder Tongue agile modulator.

dieseljeep
06-23-2013, 10:16 AM
Thanks Bob but I like the look of brass cover they put over the hole for the UHF tuner, UHF is useless now anyway.

"High Fidelity" "Golden Grid"
http://www.vintagetvsets.com/images/ggrid.jpg

Here's an old video of my 53 Philco working (http://www.vintagetvsets.com/videos/live.wmv), the video is lousy but that "High Fidelity" sound comes through pretty well.
Not sure what tube these use for Audio Output or if it's Push-pull?
The combination sets used a S.E. 6L6 and the TV only models used a S.E. 6V6. The UHF tuner kit used an adaptor that plugged into the audio output tube socket, for the B+ and heater source. :yes:

cwmoser
06-24-2013, 06:06 AM
I love that style of set. It looks like a 17" screen. I know many people including collectors are not too excited about the typical 1950s console but I really like the style of them, even the plain ones. Many of them seem to have good build quality also. I would love to have had one of those NOS Philcos.

I think the 1953 Philco has got to be one of the most beautiful TVs.
Lots of eye-canday with that set. The brass pieces were done
very tastefully.
Someday, when I encounter one, I'll add it to my collection.

Carl

Charlie
06-24-2013, 09:07 AM
Damen, that Philco sure is pretty! I've also always liked Eric's Philco... I know he's had that one for a long time.

As Carl mentioned, Philco's of that time sure were nice!

damen
07-09-2013, 08:24 PM
Here it is up and working :banana: lots of work with all the recapping and resisters but the hard work paid off. Had to stay with selenium rectifiers case I could not get it to work right with silicon diodes but works good this way

Charlie
07-09-2013, 08:31 PM
Damen, that's awesome looking! Looks like it makes a really nice picture with good contrast.

kvflyer
07-10-2013, 08:45 AM
Damen,

That sure does look great! Makes you feel good when it works doesn't it? Thanks for sharing your efforts...

cwmoser
07-10-2013, 09:30 AM
Nice. Classic 1950's TV.
Its a set that I have always had a eye for.

Carl

Kevin Kuehn
07-10-2013, 10:24 AM
Excellent resto. Picture looks super sharp. :thmbsp:

damen
07-20-2013, 01:37 PM
Any chance anyone has a junk chassis with a good on off volume control for this Philco you would sell? I had to add a wire to the on off switch cause it is open and Moyers did not have one.

Tim
07-20-2013, 02:48 PM
The set is looking good.

Got a photo of the switch? Manufacturer of the control? Philco part number? I have a lot of old controls but would need more info to provide the correct part.

damen
07-21-2013, 08:33 AM
The set is looking good.

Got a photo of the switch? Manufacturer of the control? Philco part number? I have a lot of old controls but would need more info to provide the correct part.
Thanks Tim
The switch in it is a 1 piece replacement switch it is one piece and dark blue in color I will add the number off it on here later since I am at work the Sams shows it uses a 2 meg pot with a 1 meg tone tap and 2" shaft the Philco part number is 33-5564-14 Centralab is BT-82-S Mallory is UT-451 with US-26 Switch Clarostat is AT-116 shaft is FS-3 and switch SW-a IRC is Q18-139X with 76-1 switch.

Don Lindsly
07-21-2013, 01:35 PM
I have an NOS original Philco control available. Send PM if interested.

Don

47'Plymouth
07-21-2013, 05:57 PM
I've got your Philco factory Year book pages copied like what we discussed the
Other night on the call!, if I can find those new envolpes,I get out ASAP
I haven't forgot ya,...I call ye when I put it in the mail on the phone
It covers the model right before yours with seleninum rectifiers!

Reece
07-21-2013, 06:08 PM
That set looks showroom, and what a picture. Suddenly, it's 1953 again!

Einar72
07-21-2013, 08:39 PM
Good Job, Damen! Keep Portland glowing!