Philco 38-116 Conversion to Jukebox

[JRoz]

yea maybe i'll give that a try.  Going to have to do it in the basment with a mask..looks like its got some serious chemicals.  Would you recommend applying it to the whole cabinet or just in the bad spots?  Walnut finish you think the way to go?

[Meph]

I really don't know to be honest.  I decided to go with the stripping route so I have never used that stuff.  I would do the whole cabinet if it were me.  You cabinet is a little different than mine.  It looks like the base model of the 38-116 which is what I have.  A little less detail on the front.  Inside the cabinet the model number should be there somewhere.  You can get the exact colors they used and then try and match it with the refinisher.

[JRoz]

yea this stuff looks pretty good actually.  I guess its not as hard as it sounds...just watched a youtube video with it..not using any fume protector/face mask or whatever the hell they call them haha.  I'll give it a shot, thanks and good luck with the project

[Meph]

This will give you an idea of what i'm planning to do.  The monitor sits flush with the outside of the cabinet.



I'm planning to glue some blocks to the left and right of the monitor inside the cabinet.  Then I will mount the monitor to a board and attach to the board to those 2 blocks.  It will be plenty secure at that point.



I bought some 3/16" thick oak that's 2" wide.  I am hoping to frame the monitor bezel with that and match the color of the cabinet.  This picture was just for testing.  I made it in a couple mins and its duct taped together





I have a few more things i'll post after dinner.

[Meph]

Rather than hitting Jo Ann Fabrics for some burlap like a lot of people do I decided to get the reproduction grille cloth for my cabinet.  Unfortunately the factory that makes it is closed so stock is running out and so far nobody else is making it.  I think its well worth the cost for the looks.  You can find the repro cloth at http://www.grillecloth.com/



Lastly I picked up the speakers for this cabinet.  For my last juke I ended up using 10" woofers, 6" Mids, 2.5" tweeters, a custom crossover, and a 200w amp.  It was nice but it was also a full size jukebox.  For this project I decided to go with a set of Logitech z623 200w RMS 2.1 THX Certified Speakers.  They sound great and are more than enough for such a small cabinet. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121048

If your patient you can find them on sale on Newegg for as little as $100 with free shipping.

[Benevolance]

Wow. This is looking fabulous. I cannot believe how nicely that wood cleaned up! My only comment would be that, if you've got a router and appropriate bit, maybe round the edges of the exterior monitor frame so that it matches the curved style of the radio?

[Meph]

If you look at the picture of the monitor from the back, that tiny strip of black plastic that you see is all there is.  There is nothing that can actually be routed off AND the touchscreen portion of the monitor is actually sandwiched between the monitor and the bezel.  Messing with that can basically ruin the touch screen.  I really don't want to mess with that.  I think when its all done, this will come together really nicely.

[Nephasth]

I think Benevolance is talking about rounding the edges/corners of the wooden frame that goes around the monitor in the front. I think that would look good as well.

[Meph]

Oh that I will probably do.  That frame I threw up I literally made up in about 5 minutes.  It was really a test to see how it would look.  It's actually held together with duct tape on the back side.  I'm still unsure about what the final bezel frame will entail.  I'm planning to get the monitor mounted in the next couple days and move the computer into the case.  I think the frame will be the last thing I do but i'm open to any suggestions.

[Benevolance]

Yep, I meant the wooden frame around the monitor. Sorry that wasn't more clear.

Of course, if you're open to suggestions, what I'd really like to see is the frame made of brass and leather, with a brass mechanical iris aperture that opens/dilates when the system powers on to reveal the screen. And convert the entire thing run on steam instead of electricity. And maybe attach a dirigible in there somehow. I think Drventure will back me up on this one.

But I'd settle for a slightly rounded edge on the wooden frame you had.

[drventure]

I think Drventure will back me up on this one

+10 for that brass Iris idea.

Oh, you so do NOT know what you just planted for my own jukebox build 

On the frame idea. you might head down to Rockler or Micheals or some craft store that sells carved or embossed wood trim. You could use a few nice pieced of that to accent the frame nicely, then stain it all to match.

[Meph]

I went to AC Moore with the thoughts of getting a custom frame for it.  I changed my mind when they told me prices would start around $75 and go up to as much as $200.  Seems a bit much to me.

[opt2not]

Beautiful Juke! That wood cleaned up great!

I agree with Benevolance, the frame seems to be off-style to the rest of the cabinet, both in colour and in shape.

If I were you, I'd round off the corners for sure, just to go with the curves of the rest of the juke. There are barely any straight right-angles through-out the cabinet, and the completely squared frame looks a bit kitchy in comparison to the rest.
While you're at it with the router, perhaps you could match the groove in that front ledge by putting into the frame edges. If you have the right router bit, you could easily mimic that groove. I don't know if that makes sense, so I took the liberty to photoshop what I'm talking about:

[drventure]

Ok Couldn't resist

A brass Iris

[Nephasth]

While you're at it with the router, perhaps you could match the groove in that front ledge by putting into the frame edges. If you have the right router bit, you could easily mimic that groove. I don't know if that makes sense, so I took the liberty to photoshop what I'm talking about:

Very cool!

[Meph]

I'll get right on the Brass Iris.

I think you guys are right about the rounded corners but i'm not sold on trying to mimic that groove.  I will have to play around with it.

[JRoz]

Meph, just curious again..what was the reason you didnt mount the monitor behind the face of the cabinet (just a square cut for the glass itself)  When you take out the dial on the face, do the buttons have to come with it..was that the issue?  How thick exactly is that wood?  I don't have the cabinet in front of me yet so I won't really know till saturday. 

[Meph]

If you look at this first pic you can see all the original holes in the cabinet.  It you only cut out the inner lip of the monitor there are a few problems.  First the new hole will not cover both the big upper hole and the smaller knob holes.   I had no chassis, no knobs, and wanted a clean faced front with no external controls.  The bottom cut is literally the bottom of the button holes and the top cut really can't go any higher or it will be part of the curve. 

Everything will be fully controlled by ETouch jukebox.  I don't have a measurement off the top of my head for the thickness of the front but it was enough that I don't think I would have wanted it behind.

The cabinet you showed is actually a different model than mine so your measurements might be a little different.

[JRoz]

ah good point on all, alright well I guess I may not have any choice either but to go with the frame..thanks again

[drventure]

Ok. Last post about the brass iris. I swear 

The guy that made it actually sells the kit. 365$ which doesn't seem too bad for what you get.

http://www.schaie.com/cnc/

Now back to Meph's art deco goodness

[Benevolance]

I don't think there is any way you could have avoided cutting out the space for the monitor. And honestly, it's going to look good. The important part is putting a frame on it such that it appears the touch screen monitor was part of the original design. And I know that the original frame was just a concept piece. But providing unsolicited and unhelpful advice on aesthetics is what we do best around here.

Oh, you so do NOT know what you just planted for my own jukebox build

I get first ride in your jukebox dirigible. I've got a buddy that is a machinist. He's currently working on a bunch of interlocked gears for my arcade cabinet marquee. When he's done, I'm going to have to show him that video and find out what it will cost to get something like that done.

[drventure]

I've got a buddy that is a machinist

I may have to get an email address at some point. I'm supposed to be bringing the old radio cabinet I found online home this weekend. We'll see then what kind of space I've got to work with...

Can't wait to see that marquee too. Sounds very nice!

[bogielocks]

Man that's looking good. I have a Philco 38-4 that I have yet to really do anything to it. Yes, it's the one from the other thread. I'll be watching this to see how you make out. Hope you'll post your components/setup as well.

Luckily I was able to pick up some of the Philco "V" Chevron grill cloth, since you said they stopped making it. My speakers I'm planning on using are Polk Audio RC65i in-wall home theater speakers, powered by a Cambridge Soundworks sub-woofer. 

Cheers!

Bogie

[JRoz]

Hey Meph, where did you end up getting those pieces for your picture frame? 

[Meph]

I still haven't decided on my bezel yet.  I think tomorrow I am going to try and find a matching stain and see how it looks stained.  I finally got around to getting the computer all setup.  Its all running now and the it sounds good.  Some work still setting up my library and tweaking E-Touch to my liking but this one is just about done.  I think my next might have to be a wall unit.

[gryhnd]

What about some contrasting inlays? Either a dark wood like mahogany (or whatever best matches the darker grain on the juke itself or the color of those ), and/or some metal? That would break up that large field of the frame.  Depending on your skills and equipment, you could even have them follow the directions existing inlay and grain . That would look killer.

[Meph]

Well the frame around the monitor isn't perfect but i'm pretty happy with it for now.  I think this "Metal" skin for Etouch looks great with it.

[drventure]

Nice. Definitely better. And that skin works well too!

 

[Benevolance]

Looks good! I mean, it's no brass iris, but it looks a lot better.

I like the player theme. Etouch is the software that you are using for the front end?

[Meph]

Yes its Etouch.  You can find it at the link below.  The developer works on it non-stop.  There are new beta builds practically daily.

http://www.freeboxjukebox.com

[crashwg]

I like what you've done with it.  My one criticism would be the large and wild grain on the monitor frame.  If you could find something with a tighter, straighter grain on it I think it would look better.

[mountain]

  Great project, but I do agree that matching the wood would really do wonders for this.

I just picked up my project radio cabinet this weekend. I will be using a 12" widescreen touchscreen on it.

[drventure]

I'd agree with the wood grain comments. The grain looks like redoak, but most of those old radio cabs appear to be veneers or walnut, teak, mahogany, or maple (or combinations).

It's tough to get red oak to look like walnut (and believe me, I tried  )

Still looks decent though.

And Mountain, great score! That cabinet has the angled top which would be perfect for a touchscreen. Kinda wish I'd held out, but, I gotta make things difficult!

[Encryptor]

Meph,

How did you apply the lacquer finish?

[Meph]

You want to spray the lacquer on.  Lacquer re-activates each coat under it with each new coat which makes it impossible to brush on with multiple coats.  I don't have any real spray equipment so I just bought aerosol cans.  Rustoleum sells a clear lacquer which I used.  I am not a huge fan of their coverage.  If you get into the radio restoration forums you will see the norm is using Mohawk brand "Ultra Classic" Toning and Clear lacquers.  I got anxious and bought what I could find locally.  I wish I had waited and ordered the Mohawk stuff.  I know for next time.

As for matching the frame, i'm not happy with the results but for now its fine.  My monitor is crapping out so I ordered another the other day so I will have to replace that.  I will probably wait until after chirstmas before I make a permanent frame.  I think I am just going to a local cabinet shop to find some Walnut veneer to frame it with and I will use the Mohawk dark walnut toner a couple coats of clear over it.  I want it to match but for the holidays, its functional.

Mountain, I was thinking about the exact same cabinet for another project.  I'm going to be watching to see how the 12" widescreen fits in there.