I picked this tv up in a trade yesterday. It was rebuilt by an old collector not long ago. It plays. However, I'm concerned.
First, they lost the hv cage, and, jury rigged a bracket to hold flyback.
Door is there.

Next, though it is an RCA made 630 chassis, there are NO labels, makes, or, chassis nos anywhere on it.
Is it possible, or, could it be from a different brand set made by RCA?
It fits cabinet perfectly, it has channel 1, and, knobs are RCA.

Does this de value the set?
I traded my 7" Meck for it.....
Bill Cahill
The guy that had it is honest.He didn't rebuild set. He got it this way....

I'm not familiar with all of the RCA 630TS clone chassis but I'm working on a Fada 940 which has a
similar chassis. One way you could check to see if it's a Fada clone is to look for Fada part numbers as a lot of the parts in my set has Fada numbers stamped on them.

The flyback is 42.103
The large round bleeder resistor in the box under the antenna terminal (R 185 in riders schematic) is marked 117.20 on the Fada.
The original can electrolytics on the Fada were made by Mallory and have Fada numbers on them;
22.22
22.23
22.24
22.25
22.26
22.27

Can't find any part nos...
Some original RCA Victor tubes in it, though.
That bracket looks proffessionally made. Not home made.
But, it's only on one side of chassis. No paint.
It's old...
Bill Cahill

What model Meck was it?

http://www.earlytelevision.org/meck_xa701.html
or
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/meck_xa_701.html

Richard

XA 700 Mahoganny case. Metal grills.
Bill Cahill

I talked to the original guy who bought the RCA. He bought it at an auction.
The set was obviously not made at factory.
All bakelite sockets.
Held on with rings.
At least the back mounting chassis brackets, maybe all are held on with screws.
Cage door is conventional 630. Cage isn't.
Everything else looks the same. NO part numbers anywhere..
Only one part has a name. Vert. Osc. trans. on front has RCA in large block letters.
Knobs, and, cabinet, and, back conventiional 630 TS.
Set plays.
Could this be one of those an employee took parts home, and, built the set?
Or, prototype?
All wiring is cloth.

Bill Cahill

Could this be one of those an employee took parts home, and, built the set? Or, prototype? All wiring is cloth. Bill Cahill

Philmore (!!!) sold a 630 kit you could build from scratch. It consisted of all the transformers, parts and sockets and an empty chassis.

Wonder if what you have is one of those?

Cliff

If it is, sadly, Steve McVoy feels it's worth little.
Looks like I lost on this one.
Bill Cahill

If it is, sadly, Steve McVoy feels it's worth little.
Looks like I lost on this one.
Bill Cahill

Not really, you still have a working 630, if the chassis is a kit that just makes it a little more interesting.

Those Meck 7" sets are no doubt quite rare but their looks don't really appeal to me much.

I'd like to see some pictures, I happen to have a 630 chassis sitting by my bench, I could take some pictures for comparison.
Could also be some overzealous restorer just washed off all the labels and "Upgraded" the sockets with Bakelite?
That would bother me a little more not having the original serial number tag but if it never had one then it's all good.

In my opinion, it never had labels. I was told by the gent that rebuiilt it abbout a bubble in glass on front of tube. He said somewhere on the tube it says Only to be used by employees.

The set was neatly wired. All wirring that I can see is cloth....
HV cage door is original 630.
Most screws used are flat blade, and, phillips head.
Most parts that are normally pop riveted, are held on by phillips head screws.
Ant. and, sync terminal strip are riveted on..
Could it be a prototype?
My friend Don thinks it may be...
I'll get pics as soon as I can....
Bill Cahill

Weren't there in fact several different "build it yourself" 630 kits available, with CRTs up to 16 inch or even bigger up through 1950 or so? I do not know if they typically had the same physical part locations and chassis dimensions of a real RCA; I know my DeWald BT-100 is different.

If the meck is nice and with back its worth at least 700.00

Chris:

Yes there were a number of 630 kits available. Tech-Master was another one. If you look in the ads in the back of any electronic catalog or magazine from the late 40s you will see many of them

Steve

Bill asked me about the set and I expressed the opinion that it was probably not made by an RCA employee using parts he brought home from work, and that kits and surplus parts for 630s were for sale in the early 50s.

I said that I thought it had less value than a standard factory 630, but, as you all know, values of old TV sets are all over the place.

Thank you for the correction, Steve.
It still comes up could this be a prototype?
Perhaps after being finnished with the series, RCA gave chassis away to an employee, and, he came up with the cabinet, back, etc.???
It is definately early..
As soon as possible, I'll get pictures of set.
I was told by gent who rebuilt set that there is a bubble in the glass on front of picture tube. He said somewhere on the tube is a note reading "Only to be used by employees"....
I prommisse pictures of the points of most interest of this set...
Fits case perfectly....
Bill Cahill

I guess it is possible that it is a prototype, but I think the kit explanation is much more likely. Some pictures might help figure out what it is.

Here are some pictures, guys. Sorry. It downloaded them in reverse......
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0042.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0040.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0045.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0031.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0029.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0022.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0027.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0016C-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0018.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0021.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0016.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0014.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0010B.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0009.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0008.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b122/55Bill51/2012_0324RCAVictor960clone0016C.jpg

Everything, including terminal stripa, and, mounting brackets are held on with mostly phillips screws.
Only the antenna terminal strip, and, the sync strip are riveted on.
No part nos on anything.
No names, except on vert. osc. trans., which says RCA in big block letters..
Well, what do you think??
Bill Cahill

Looks like a kit set to me. The chassis and cabinet were probably RCA surplus.

It's a Junky, Worthless, POS, KIT....NOT worthy of yr Collection- Send it to me, I gots a BIG dam ol' Sinkhole I been tryin' to fill up for YEARS...(grin)

Just for interest, what's it worth? Seems a kit would be even rarer....
I think I'll make the best of it. I'll change to orig. RCA cage, and, cage screws.
I may put model on chassis.
I'll neaten it up some, and, get it playing.
Looks like gun in tube is good....
Bill Cahill

What kind of tuner does it use? Is there channel one. If it uses a Standard coil tuner, it's probably a clone.
I see it uses that crazy RCA field coil ion trap.

I remember seeing many years ago a 1948 or so Popular Science article on building a 630TS from a kit. The article was written by Robert Gorman.

Here is a link from a 1950 article of his converting his kit TV to a 16AP4.

http://books.google.com/books?id=KS0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA2-PA229&lpg=RA2-PA229&dq=16AP4+tube+picture&source=bl&ots=5vJ2QwKbpR&sig=bvcOrLSFY8pDXo08ysBxaAVAlaI&hl=en&ei=45tyS82iIM_T8AaayYG4Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=14&ved=0CC0Q6AEwDQ#v=onepage&q=16AP4%20tube%20picture&f=false

The set has Channel 1.
Uses the 630 tuner as well.
EVERYTHING 630!!!

Why would anybody want to build a clone set??
For all intents, and, purposes, it's a 630....

So, what say you guys? Personally, I would think this set would be rarer..
More valuable?
Less?
The same?
Should I change the hv cage to standard RCA 630?
It's not safe the way it is, nor, original looking.
Bill Cahill

Get it running and leave it alone, I wouldn't change the cage unless your cover won't fit this one, otherwise I wouldn't mess much with it.

The Bakelite tube sockets are a nice upgrade from the wafer sockets.

I dunno... I might err on the side of caution & make it safe...But keep the "Original" parts & maybe a note or somethin' w/them...

You might be right that a kit set would be worth more than a factory 630. Kits and home made sets don't seem to bring as much as factory ones, but who knows.

If the set is actually from a kit and it could be identified, that would help the value. If it is a home made job using a surplus RCA chassis, that would lower the value.

I think I'll change the cage. It is a little flimsy, and, no protection in front at all. The door can't be attatched to it, so, the door is also a little flimsy. Only two screws to hold it on at the cord...
I don't know. I have no proof either way on who made it..
No part nos., or, anything..
Some tubes are original RCA tubes, so, is it poosible RCA sold the parts? Cabinet is fully RCA, as are the knobs...
Where did they get info to align it??
O.K. Maybe Sams, or, riders...
Hmmm. Wonder if a dealer bought the parts, and, put it together???
The set had been used, as several tubes are replacements. A couple RCA replacements, some GE, some Sylvania, etc......

Wiring looks proffessional to me.
When I get a chance, I'll hook up a signal to it, and, see what it does. It had snow, sound, got a radio station on an off channel, etc....
Tuner is dirty anyway...
I'll keep original parts for refference.
Might even use original screws in it now.
Won't change anything else.
Might clean chassis some....
I want to find out what that added fuse is under the chassis...
Interesting set to me.....

Tried looking up the article on when the guy built his set, but, found nothing...
Refference kept pointing to several articles on kit building, but, no links directly to it...
Saw nothing with this "cage".
All had original RCA cage....
Bill Cahill

The fly mounting and the original non RCA part of the cage does not look like a jury rig to me. I think you should keep the cage as is because it might serve as an identifier if someone has or finds a set with the same chassis.

If you have not done TV alignments before then this is a VERY bad set to learn on as not only is the 630 more complicated than most sets, but also you have no way to be certain that all the adjustments are the same as on the 630.

The set's already been serviced, and, works.
I assume he already did that as part of service.

I wasn't going to throw out the cage. Just change it. I'll have to think it over. It's involved...
I have a cage, but, it's rusty.
Oh, well...
Bill Cahill

O.K. I had someone over with good eyes today. He found the following part nos on the power transformer. Can anyone find out who?
940157
9U05
27 740

Who made that transformer?
Bill Cahill

I showed the guy a junk orig. RCA 630 chassis. He made corrections on that first set of numbers. The part nos. still don't match the ones given by RCA, but, the last number he really goofed on. It was 274.
As we all know that was an indication the part was made by RCA.

On the socket base of picture tube, it stated it was a remake only intended for emplloyee use...
No other part nos. were found.
Bill Cahill

Would someone please do me a favor, and, take some pictures out of my set, and, take them to the convention this weekend, and, see if anyone knows who made this "Kit"?
I can't go to them, with as much as I'd love to.
Thanks.
Bill Cahill

A couple of 630 kit adds from Phil's Old Radios site.

http://antiqueradio.org/art/RCA630TSAdvertisement04.jpg
http://antiqueradio.org/art/RCA630TSKit1619.jpg

Another kit from Radiomuseum site
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/techmaster_tv_kit_630_tk.html
Richard

This is the Tech-Master model C-30.
I first thought that it was a kit but the ad says completely factory-wired.
The TM model 630D was their kit version, but the chassis is rectangular shaped on that model not like the classic 630 chassis or the TM C-30 like you see here.

174299

Thanks, guys, but, none of these are it.
Bill Cahill

Found one part number. One on power transformer is from RCA. 274 stamping proves it's from their main factory....
Can't find any numbers on yoke, focus coil, or, flyback.

John Folsom, and, I agree that I should leave hv cage as is.
Has anyone seen a set with a cage like that?
It's not home made. We seem to agree it was a kit.
My guess is between 1947, and, 1949.
I'd like to find out who the companny is that sold this kit, and, when... Some of the remainning original tubes have date codes from those years.

Any pictures oof any more kits?
Whoever wired it surely knew what he was doing. It is very proffesionally done, and, as stated, the set does work.
Bill Cahill

Haven't had it plugged in yet, but, Been doing case work.
The safety glass was a modern replacement.
I talked with the gent on the phone who had done the rebuilding on it a year ago.
He said original one had completely come delaminated, so, he put a new piece on.
I took original off my other one.
I polished coroded brass case parts, and, re lacquered them.
I also installed new rubber screw on feet.
I decided not to change hv cage.
When I get caught up, perhaps today, I'll try the set with my dvd player, and, see what it does..
I re adjusted picture tube height. It was way at the bottom of the case. I will have to readjust ion trap, focus, centerring, etc...

I'll let you know what it does..
Bill Cahill

:sigh:

Bummer.
Tried set today.
After adjusting ion trap for raster, I find I have now totally lost my vertical sweep.
In the white line, I see picture movement, and, I get reception. However, NO vertical sweep at all.
I'll have to take set apart to find out what happenned..
Darned..
It worked the day I got it.
Not taking it apart today....
Bill Cahill :thumbsdn:

Found, and, repaired vertical problem..
Loose vert. osc. tube.
Have vert. sweep...

I have picture, and, sound, but, with some issues.
Horizontal is twitchy. I think some mica caps need replacing.
Tuner tends to roar. I think 6J6 is noisy.
Sound isn't the loudest, but, it's fair.
Picture tube appears to be good.
I think with a little work, it will do fine.
I'm happy it's working...
Bill Cahill

Any more pics of kits found?
I tried set. It plays, but, has issues.
Negative picture, very dirty tuner, and, weak sound.
Bill Cahill

Hi Bill;
I wish I had your set, it possibly being a Kit, makes it more awsome to me.. But, I am glad it is in good hands.. Congratulations !! I have a write-up in a book by the editors of Popular Science, for one of their people who built a Lafayette kit, from scratch.. It says in the article, there are layout papers to show just how to place parts and what value to use.. It goes on in an orderly manner.. I do feel fortunate that I have my 8T244, 1948 RCA TV.. I don't think there are many of the pre 1950 sets out here.. As here in the Denver area TV didn't come until 1952.. So, there would have been no TV's here before that time, unless they are transplants from either coast, where there was TV.. My set was from a TV repair shop, the Owner has saved it for His retirement.. Thinking He would fix it after He retired.. I got it a little before He retired, and He was so tired of fixing sets, That it didn't take much for me to obtain it from Him.. I have had the set for 3 to 4 years, time goes by, so not sure anymore.. And, yes the TV shop is gone, about 2 years ago, I found out a few months after the fact..
THANK YOU Marty