Hi, I'm a new guy here, and just as new to restoring old floor tube radios.
I have an opportunity to purchase a Philco 46-1226 floor radio, one I've wanted for several years. The particular one for sale seems to be in great shape, the cabinet and display look to have been kept indoors and never garaged stored. The only thing is that the owner says it has no tubes and he has no idea if it works.
My question is, if the main components are shot, how expensive or difficult is it to replace/restore these components back to working status?

TR: Probably the most expensive part would be a new power transformer. But this set has a lot of tubes, so those might add up. You could check some web sites on prices. It is my experience that when all the tubes are taken out or if the cord is cut off, it usually means the radio quit working. So, people scavenge the parts. But you will find that usually the repair is not too expensive (once you find the problem!). In fact, you will probably find several bad capacitors and maybe a resistor or two that need replacing. Go ahead and get it. Mark from Kalamazoo

TR: Did you see the posting below on the same set? Maybe you should reconsider! Mark from Kalamazoo

Probably not a good set to "cut your teeth on" if you are a novice to tube electronics. Replacing the eight missing tubes will run you $50-80; replacing the customary "wear items" like electrolytic and paper capacitors will run another $25-$40. Beyond that, it's a matter of luck: was the radio stripped of its tubes because it had a very severe problem like a bad power transformer; or was it just a convenient tube donor for a similar set?

You might get lucky and find that the set works fine after its missing tubes are installed, a new line cord installed, and the electrolytic filter caps are renewed. That happens to me about 50% of the time- these old sets are incredibly robust. If luck escapes you, it might be exceeding difficult to get this particular set working.

Consoles are not very sought-after, and their market is limited due to shipping problems. Post-war consoles, e.g. 1946 models, are not all that collectible. I haven't looked at the tube lineup, but replacing all the tubes may be costly? Check it out.

Sorry I can't be more enthusiastic. See if he will give it to you if you pick it up. What are the seller's other options?

Hi : I started fixing these thing years ago .My first set was a philco 42-400 . It came out good(lucky me) . But I agree that this is not a set to start on if possible .Main reason is rubber wiring on this era set can require replacing and possibly shrink tubing .It can be a job . And the sub chasiss is tough to get at with out removing . Although I have done a similar set(47-1230) recently and it can be done.It is time consuming if the wiring is getting bad. I would check the wiring under the set. And since these sets are fairly common if you wait . Maybe you could find set with all the tubes .And maybe even working to some degree . Then you could bit by bit recap and wire where needed . When all
is said and done these are good radios .There is great help to be had here and also on philco sites .I really just wanted to mention the wiring,even if you pass on this one and look for another .Good luck !
Bill
:Hi, I'm a new guy here, and just as new to restoring old floor tube radios.
:I have an opportunity to purchase a Philco 46-1226 floor radio, one I've wanted for several years. The particular one for sale seems to be in great shape, the cabinet and display look to have been kept indoors and never garaged stored. The only thing is that the owner says it has no tubes and he has no idea if it works.
:My question is, if the main components are shot, how expensive or difficult is it to replace/restore these components back to working status?
:

Hi TR,
Before you go and buy tubes the transformer can be tested quite easily.
First replace the electrical cord. If while doing this you see that black stuff has dripped from the transformer, give it up. The transformer is bad.
Once the cord is on, turn it on. If you blow a circuit breaker, the transformer is bad. If the transformer gets a little warm and then stays that way, it is most likely good. If it stays room temperature or gets so hot you cannot touch it, it is bad.
It is better to bring it up with a variac, of course. I assume you don't have one.

You may want to warm up with a little AC/DC set from eBay, before tackling this one.
The nice thing about this radio is that after it is working you can get FM on it. However, be warned, it is a beast.

Best regards,

Bill Grimm