THIS WAS A SCORE AT THE 2011 ETF CONVENTION. I WAS THE ONLY BIDDER AND I GOT IT CHEAP.
THIS SET, AND SETS LIKE THE 630TS (AND THEIR CLONES) ARE VERY DESIRABLE TO TV COLLECTORS. THE PRICE I PAID FOR THIS IS CHEAP. THESE USUALLY WENT FOR $200 OR MORE UNRESTORED , WITH CABINETS IN WORSE CONDITION THAN MINE. THIS HAS THE WEAR AND TEAR ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A 1948 MODEL.
I SOFT STARTED THIS AND TO MY SURPRISE, GOT A PICTURE. THE 10BP4 TESTED LIKE NEW. FOR RESTORATION, I WILL USE A 5AXP4.
THERE ARE SOME CRITICAL THINGS ABOUT THESE SETS. FIRST, THE CRT MOUNTS ON FOUR LEGS IN THE CABINET. IT IS ONLY TRULY SECURED BY THE SAFETY GLASS. WHEN TRANSPORTING ONE OF THESE, YOU MUST REMOVE THE CRT. THIS IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL WHEN SHIPPING, UNLESS YOU WANT A CERTAIN SHIPPING COMPANY TO DROP KICK THE PACKAGE OVER A CLIFF AND IMPLODE THE TUBE. THESE WERE SHIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITHOUT THE CRT. YOUR FRIENDLY (OR HOSTILE) RCA VICTOR DEALER INSTALLED THE TUBE AFTER DELIVERY TO THE CUSTOMER.
THE TUNER DETENT ASSEMBLY IS EASILY BROKEN. REPLACEMENTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. WHEN CLEANING THE TUNER IN ONE OF THESE, DO NOT USE CONTACT CLEANER WITH ANY KIND OF LUBRICANT. IT WILL SEND THE SOUND CARRIER INTO OUTER SPACE. I USE COTTON SWABS DIPPED IN ALCOHOL, OR A NON-LUBRICATING CLEANER. ALSO, THIS SET HAS CHANNEL 1.
FIRST UP IS THE CHASSIS BEFORE ANY RESTORATION.
WE START WITH THE ROGUE'S GALLERY OF BAD CAPS. ALL PAPER AND ELECTROLYTICS WILL BE REPLACED. THESE SETS ALSO USE MICAMOLDS. THESE ARE JUST AS EVIL. IF YOU SEE A "MICA" CAP THAT'S 1000pf OR MORE, CHUCK IT.
CHASSIS AFTER RECAPPING. AS FAR AS LYTICS, SOME WERE GOOD (MAYBE LATER REPLACEMENTS). THE REPLACEMENTS I HAD FOR BAD ONES WERE TOO BIG FOR THE CANS, SO I HID THEM UNDERNEATH. A FUSE WAS ADDED AFTER THE 5U4'S. OVERALL, THIS WAS AN EASY RESTORATION.
THE FINAL RESULT. THIS IS MY OLDEST WORKING BLACK AND WHITE TV.