Crosley model 170

[electra225]

This is a big ten-tube cathedral radio, circa 1932. It has an 80 rectifier, and push-pull 2A5 audio output tubes. There are three #58 tubes in the IF and RF stages, the rest of the tube compliment is #56 tubes. IT has a 9" Rola electro-dynamic speaker. It has tuned RF stage and three stages of IF. I rescued this radio from an auction trash pile. The cabinet was in several pieces. There was no veneer left on the cabinet. Ron the Refinisher rescued the cabinet. Not perfect, but compared to what it was, it looks really nice. The chassis was saved by chicken poop. Under that, the radio chassis built out nicely and is a powerful performer. Here in God's country as to radio waves, a 30" test lead works well as an antenna. This radio is technically a two band set, but the other band is the low shortwave band and nothing much is on that out here. I hadn't run this radio probably in ten years. I'm in the process of cleaning the chassis and then cleaning the controls. Like most radios I own, the band switch is pretty scratchy. And, yes, Chris, before you ask, I have pictures. I'll get them on the computer and posted. I ran out of energy before I got that done.

[TC Chris]

And, yes, Chris, before you ask, I have pictures. I'll get them on the computer and posted. I ran out of energy before I got that done.

You can't see my big grin, but I had already formulated the question!

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Pictures as promised. Sorry it took so long to get them posted.

This radio still has many of the original, Ken-Rad produced, engraved Crosley tubes. I got a shot of one of the output tubes. The dial light bulb is kaput, a screw-base bulb. This is the only device I own that uses a screw base tube. I haven't decided if it would be better to have a supply of screw base bulbs I may never use, or to convert the light to a bayonet base. I like Crosley radios and this one is no exception. It's a robust performer with plenty of bass and a good tone. The controls are, left to right, volume control, tuning on top in the middle, band switch on the bottom in the middle, on-off and tone on the right. The 9" Rola speaker sounds pretty good. I have found Crosley cabinets, particularly their wooden cabinets, to not be very good. Ron made supports and pieces to stick this cabinet back together, and I see it's coming apart someplace else. I need to remove the chassis to fix it.

[William]

With 10 tubes it should be a good performer. Nice looking cabinet too.

Bill

[electra225]

It is a good performer. It's not in the same class as the Stromberg-Carlson or even the big Philcos I have, but it is no slouch. It has a fairly small speaker. There are a couple metal shields that go over the RF part of the chassis, but it shorts out one of the IF tubes that is not an original Crosley-branded speaker. The radio has three #58 IF amps. One is a Tung-Sol replacement. It must be a fuzz taller than the original Crosley tube, because the grid cap hits that metal cover and shorts the radio signal out. I like to never figured out why the radio wouldn't work after I "fixed" it, when I went thru the chassis. I still have the shields, but I don't put them on anymore. You can see two of the thumb screws that hold them on there on the back of the chassis.

[tasar]

Kudos on this resurrection, I should post one of my "rags to riches" story soon !
Dave

[William]

Looking forward to it, Dave.

Bill

[electra225]

I like "rags to riches" stories. My personal experience is that the nastier they are when you start, the more satisfying the restoration is. IT's no fun to work with items that are nice. I look forward to your rags to riches story....