Philharmonic refinishing resource

[John Chidgey]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a refinishing resource for a Scott Philharmonic? I am having some difficulty finding someone to take it on. I am in the Southern California area. 

Thanks

[Kent King]

Refinishing...are you talking for a cabinet? There are many possible cabinets for the Philharmonic. I'm not aware of a cabinet refinisher in SoCal, maybe some others can help. If you are talking chrome refinishing (rechroming), how bad is the set?

Kent

[John Chidgey]

Correct refinishing of the cabinet. The chrome is not the best with some pitting of the cans, but I think I can find someone locally to address the chrome. I do like to keep the cabinets original but I think this cabinet is beyond keeping it original. See attached photo

[Scott Seickel]

It looks like that cabinet took on a lot of moisture.  Hard to tell the exact extent of the damage from that picture.   The walnut on the lid front is bubbling, which means that water probably poured over it at one time.   Any furniture refinisher should be able to do this, though the amount of refinishers out there is getting thinner by the day. 

[Kent King]

Could you post a pic of the chassis? Also, what is the serial number of the set?

Kent

[David C. Poland]

I see you have one control escutcheon on the right. Did you get the other 5 escutcheons?

Fortunate you have the dial escutcheon and crystal. Those are the correct eye lids and knob set.

Hard to determine how far gone the finish is. Wet a cloth with with mineral sprits (or paint thinner) and wipe different parts of the cabinet. It won't hurt the cabinet as it evaporates quickly. Or maybe a little Murphys oil soap diluted with water with you being in CA and wipe dry after a few seconds.

TX is pretty far from you, but Fred Taylor does great work. Look for his many threads on the Cabinet thread on Antique Radio Forum. 

The Warrington Console is a commonly seen cabinet, but a very nice furniture quality cabinet design.

[John Chidgey]

Kent,

Here is a photo of the chassis with serial number

Kent King said:

Could you post a pic of the chassis? Also, what is the serial number of the set?

Kent

[John Chidgey]

Yes, I have the other 5 escutcheons. I was cleaning them when I took the photos. I was able to find someone locally after numerous phone calls.

David C. Poland said:

I see you have one control escutcheon on the right. Did you get the other 5 escutcheons?

Fortunate you have the dial escutcheon and crystal. Those are the correct eye lids and knob set.

Hard to determine how far gone the finish is. Wet a cloth with with mineral sprits (or paint thinner) and wipe different parts of the cabinet. It won't hurt the cabinet as it evaporates quickly. Or maybe a little Murphys oil soap diluted with water with you being in CA and wipe dry after a few seconds.

TX is pretty far from you, but Fred Taylor does great work. Look for his many threads on the Cabinet thread on Antique Radio Forum. 

The Warrington Console is a commonly seen cabinet, but a very nice furniture quality cabinet design.

[John Chidgey]

Can anyone tell me if this a remote control set? Looking for a cabinet and/or PS if someone has an extra. Would like to eventually like to pair up this chassis.  Thanks 

[Kent King]

Yes, this is a remote control set. Nice find, although it certainly needs some love. I've got a Sixteen remote control set in roughly the same condition.

Kent

[John Chidgey]

How difficult is it to find the remote control controls and cable?

Kent King said:

Yes, this is a remote control set. Nice find, although it certainly needs some love. I've got a Sixteen remote control set in roughly the same condition.

Kent

[Kent King]

Fairly difficult...it is a 21 wire cable, and the remote "head" is unique to Scott. Every once in awhile one will appear, they generally command around $500 or so. Warning: they used a control that looks the same from 1937 through the 800B in the late 1940s - BUT...the 800B remote is wired differently than the pre-war sets. However, don't pass one up, either can be rewired fairly easily to work with the appropriate set.

Kent

[David C. Poland]

Your KK Ser # is about 35 lower than mine.

Mine has a Feb 1938 date inside on the metal box with seven .05 MFD caps inside -Which you will need to open up and recap. 

You have the west coast dial - with the top bank of call letters above the Broadcast band. There is an extra traveling dial lamp that will show through the little circle next to each station as you tune across the dial when on the Broadcast band.

Also, the top rectangular chrome box, left rear, in front of 3rd AF 6J5's is the bass tone reactor - you will need to dismount it to replace the 4 caps inside.