I have been spending far, far too much time browsing through flea markets and yard sales in the area. Very recently I came across this gem of an item for a low $5.00 purchase price. I kid you not. $5.00.
I didn't really think twice about it. It became mine very quickly.
This is an old Philco radio, model 37-620. It's in rough shape, but nothing that isn't repairable. What I really like about this radio is it's entire shape; other radios of the era (1930's) where standup radios, whilst this one is a box that can double as a small coffee table. The control panel is on top of the radio, which is an interesting design.
Upon getting it home and into my already crowded work area I took another look at it. On the surface (hah) it appears that there are speakers in both the front and the back of the system. Here is the rear of the radio.
Upon flipping it onto it's side we can see that not only is there a lot of empty space inside but, interestingly, the only active speaker appears to be the one in the back.
One might notice the cat's tail. Funnily enough, the cat did not come with the radio, despite what might appear to be otherwise:
Now, the radio components themselves are pretty beat up. The wires are shredded, and the radio itself is likely missing a whole craptonne of tubes, which I honestly have no plans to replace. I don't mind restoration, but I don't have any emotional attachment to this radio at all to try to rebuild it.
Beyond refinishing the exterior to make it look snappy, I'm not yet 100% sure what I'm going to do with the innards. Most likely I'll gut it and retrofit it with something, though what that something is I'm not yet sure. I really do like the circular dial on the top of the radio; whatever I do with it will need to keep that as a feature. The rest of it, however, as far as I'm concerned, is junk. My immediate thought is to fit it with a raspberry pi to play internet radio; there is certainly enough space inside to place whatever I need to do so! And that'd make a pretty snappy addition to either my front room or work area in the basement.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
About Me
Amateur photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd.
General all around problem-solver and creative type.
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