Help Needed With 1956 Philips 353A Tube Radio

[TheMightyMadman]

Hi all,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster here

I would appreciate some assistance, please. I recently bought my first tube radio, a 1956 Philips 353A - I've finished the electrical restoration (recap, new line cord, new audio output tube, etc) and the cosmetic restoration (cleaning, polishing, new front cloth, etc), and I'm most of the way through the mechanical restoration (tuning cord replacement, etc).

The last two hurdles are tensioning the tuning cord (the cord slips when the dial cord is fitted), and fitting the dial cord and indicator. The service manual is very useful, but it doesn't really mention how to do these. I'm guessing that tensioning the tuning cord requires trimming the cord a bit at each end; however, I'm not at all sure how the indicator needs to be fitted.

Please find pictures attached. Has anyone worked on one of these sets before, and would be able to point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

Adam

[joebog1]

Gday Adam, I like your forum name .

The dial cord is normally under tension held by the springs that are usually :
1. Around the tuning drum
2. Between the ends of the dial cord holding the dial pointer.

Its a bit hard to see, but I would suggest using a slightly shorter cord, and making sure that the cord is "tight " and held by the tension of the springs. The front spring at least looks like its been "strung " a little too much and is stretched.
The pointer is usually held by a couple of turns of dial cord around the pointer itself. The little "hook " on the end is there to prevent the cord slipping off the pointer.

There are probably some capacitors in that radio that will need replacing BEFORE you switch it on.

Joe

[Gabe001]

If you find that the cord is slipping even with good spring tension, the tuning capacitor and the other moving parts may need lubrication. I use 3 in 1 oil.

Also, you can wax the string to make it more "grippy"

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by Gabe001

If you find that the cord is slipping even with good spring tension, the tuning capacitor and the other moving parts may need lubrication. I use 3 in 1 oil.

Also, you can wax the string to make it more "grippy"

Agreed. Try making everything that moves in association with the tuning cord, easier to turn, smoother. I use a light sewing machine oil placed drop by drop using an awl with an angled tip. You'll find bearings in at least one end of the tuning condenser, and pulley wheels that will all benefit from light lubrication. Be sure to place the oil with precision onto mating surfaces, as getting it onto the drive cord will take you four places backwards. Re waxing the drive cord, I've never tried it, but you'd have to use the correct type of wax (beeswax?) otherwise it could actually make it more slippery.

[Dickie]

Which service data are you using? The manufacturer's service manual, available from the link at the top right, has a very detailed drawing and instructions on how to do it.

[TheMightyMadman]

Hi all,

Thank you for your quick and useful replies

joebog1 - Hello, and thank you! I should have specified a bit better, it's the tuning cord that needs tensioning, but you're right that the spring also needs replacing on the dial cord. I've also recapped the set as required, and electrically it's working great. The tuning cord is also tensioned on both ends by a spring on the wheel of the tuning capacitor - this seems OK, so I think I need to shorten the cord a little. This is a cord that I've installed and cut to length myself, so it's probably just a bit off.

Gabe001 / stevehertz - Good idea, I'll make sure everything is carefully lubricated - thanks!

Dickie - I'm using the manufacturer's service manual, yeah - "Service Manual for Philips Radiogram Type 654A and Table Model Type 353A" (see link below). It is extremely useful, as you said. I should have specified a bit better, I've successfully replaced the tuning cord (though it needs tensioning properly) and fitted the dial cord as per the service manual, however I can't work out how to fit the dial pointer (the little white stick). Does anyone have any ideas?
https://www.service-data.com/product...84/5793/m14584

Thanks all!

[ms660]

Originally Posted by TheMightyMadman

however I can't work out how to fit the dial pointer (the little white stick). Does anyone have any ideas?

From underneath like this:

https://www.radios-tv.co.uk/wp-conte...4-DSCF0775.JPG

?

Lawrence.

[Refugee]

I have got a couple of photos that might be useful from when I did one.
The pointer goes on after the chassis is back in the cabinet.
I painted my pointer with Tippex to brighten it up.

[paulsherwin]

If you haven't worked it out already, the tuning scale glass is just an interference fit and can be just pulled out with care.

[TheMightyMadman]

Hi all,

Thanks again for your quick and useful replies

ms660/Refugee - That's super, thank you very much for the photos! Those are very useful indeed. Good idea on the Tippex, also. I didn't realise the dial cord wrapped around it like that - I'll give this a try once the tuning cord is properly tensioned.

paulsherwin - Thank you, yes I have managed to get the tuning glass off and have given it a good clean, it's come up really nicely.

I'll be sure to document the restoration on my website once everything is complete.

Many thanks,

Adam

[TheMightyMadman]

Hi all,

Thanks again for your responses

I've managed to tension the tuning cord up properly (by reducing the cord lengths a bit, and by hooking the tensioning spring further around the wheel), and I've also managed to fit the dial indicator.

As such, the restoration is complete!
I'll be writing up about it soon, and I'll share a link.

Many thanks,

Adam