I picked up a old Philco tube radio the other day- just the chassis and tubes and stuff, no case. I figure it would be a fine piece for me to learn about tube equipment repair and testing on, since it isn't exactly a fine example of anything. So I'm looking for a book (preferred) or web info about how to go about properly testing and fixing it. Any recommendations?

"Fixing up Nice Old Radios" by Ed Romney is a fave of mine. Kinda folksy, non threatening approach to radio repair. Guy assumes you don't know squat & goes from there. A bit pricy at $35, but a good 'un. Antique Radio Classified, Carlisle, Mass, 866-371-0512. -Sandy G.

Do you have a model number, or at least a list of the tube numbers? I may have a schematic for it.

Many of these 40s - 60's radios have no power transformer and NO ISOLATION from the power line. So you have to be REALLY careful around it when it's plugged in. If it has a power trnasformer, it's a very good place to start. If it doesn't, some additonal precautions are needed...

Philco 38-12. Here are a couple of bad pics! Any info appreciated!

that would be a 38-12 chassis. i have restored one of these chassis and it turned out to be one of the hottest in sensitivity and selectivity. i recapped it and had to rewind the oscillator coil.

here is a link to the schematic.

here is a pic of my 38-12:

http://home.comcast.net/~bwlevy/p38.jpg

My first radio! The Philco service bulletin for this set is on my website, which is DOWN due to server failure - email me for a copy - tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com or wait a week or so...

http://www.audiophool.cjb.net

have you seen what these sets are going for on ebay? they are apparently a very common radio and apparently a very good performer at that.

does that use a 6V6 + 5Y3 ?

no, it uses an 84 and 41 tube respectively.

I've got one of these, or very close, and someone long, long ago painted it gold with a black top. I'm leaving it that way because it actually looks kinda neat like that and has a "patina". Philco was in top form when these were made.