RCA 621ts Restoration

[vts1134]

One of my New Years resolutions was to post better threads of my restorations. I've used Bandersen as my inspiration. I have enjoyed so many of his threads here both as they happen and through searching archived topics. This will not be a quick project for me, I plan on taking my time with this one, posting a lot of pictures of progress, and being very deliberate. With that in mind here is my new project, The RCA 621ts.
I found the set on ETF's classified pages and have been holding on to it for a few months. Now that the Holidays are over I decided that it's time to do some work on it.
The cabinet is the walnut finish. I understand it is considered less desirable than the mahogany or blonde finish, although I've read that it was made in fewer numbers than the mahogany.



The cabinet is original but not without it's flaws. It photographs better than it looks. There is some crazing on the lacquer and a couple of bad spots.

[vts1134]

After disassembling the set I think that some of the cabinet problems are due to sun fading. You can see in the picture below that the wood that was blocked from sun is much darker than the rest of the front.

Some other observations of the the cabinet were that some the screws holding in the safety glass seem to be non-original.
One original?

Both non-orignal?

Also the safety glass itself is going to need to be replaced as it's flawed in between the two panes.

[vts1134]

The chassis was the usual dusty but in very good condition. No signs of rust any where to be seen.
Before.


After.

[Eric H]

The Phillips screws are the correct ones for the retainers.

Something you might want to consider doing on this set is restuffing the old capacitors to keep it looking original.

Here are a couple pictures of mine, before recapping and after, hard to tell the difference!
I even replaced a green Solar brand cap from a later repair with one that matched the others.

[Electronic M]

I make a habbit of restuffing caps on sets that I either like alot or consider signifficant historically or as an example of something.

[vts1134]

I will be restuffing ALL capacitors as well as replacing any components that may have been added through servicing this set back to their original look.
Thanks for the info on the Phillips screws on the clips, I'll have to source two replacements for the bottom clip. Were the screws holding the back on the set also Phillips, and were they brass colored?
Also thanks for the pictures of the bottom of the chassis, they will help in recognizing anything out of place on mine.

[Reece]

Great looking chassis. Word to the wise: cut a piece of heavy cardboard and cable-tie it over the speaker while you're working!

[kvflyer]

Originally Posted by Reece

Great looking chassis. Word to the wise: cut a piece of heavy cardboard and cable-tie it over the speaker while you're working!

For sure, for sure, for sure. Or, you can tape it on with that blue masking tape. But for sure, something will find its way into that cone.

[Kevin Kuehn]

That's a real nice set. I personally like the faded look; the walnut grain shows though bettter. I sure wouldn't refinish that cabinet, maybe touch those worn spots with a little Deft brushing lacquer.

[vts1134]

Originally Posted by Kevin Kuehn

That's a real nice set. I personally like the faded look; the walnut grain shows though bettter. I sure wouldn't refinish that cabinet, maybe touch those worn spots with a little Deft brushing lacquer.

I'm not sure what I'll do with the cabinet. Whatever I decide on I'll not be doing the work. My wood finishing skills end at 0000 steel wool and Howards Restor-a-finish.

[kvflyer]

Sounds like this will be a nice project to follow. I look forward to it...

[vts1134]

Originally Posted by Reece

Great looking chassis. Word to the wise: cut a piece of heavy cardboard and cable-tie it over the speaker while you're working!

I wish you could have told one of the previous owners that. It seems that some one at some point damaged the top of the speaker.
I was a bit short on capacitors to finish the set so I put in an order today for the replacements that I was missing. I didn't want to start work on the set and have to stop because I don't have all the capacitors. Once my caps come in I'll start restuffing and share my steps.

[John Folsom]

That is about as clean a chassis as one could hope for. Glad to hear you will be restuffing it. Keep us posted!

[miniman82]

You can buy them from AES: http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/...02=01_MOUNTING

[vts1134]

Thanks for the link but that's not the piece that's broken. This part is.