Motorola VK-106 restoration

[bandersen]

I had been watching this very nice Motorola VK-106 sit on ebay a few weeks with no takers as the price slowly dropped. Then the seller added the 'Make an Offer' option and I finally bit. He accepted and we arranged a pickup. I probably would have sooner, but it's almost a 600 mile round trip

I haven't pulled the chassis yet, but from what I can see it's in great condition. It has all the correct knobs and the back. Even the screen covering the bottom of the chassis is present. The original finish just needs little TLC.

[Radiotronman]

I have that model in blonde and walnut color. They're small little consoles with that cool stairstep design. Good buy on that set. It's wierd, the doghouse cover is riveted to the back cover.

[bandersen]

Wow, cool. I didn't know there was a blond version. It looks like it might be real blonde vener and not a faux finish.

Yeah, that is weird about the HV cover being part of the back. Later they hid the flyback under the chassis. They really tried hard to not use a flyback cage like everyone else.

[Radiotronman]

Bob, that's very true about Motorolas chassis design. My blonde set is an oak veneer with a blonde finish. Cool little sets, but I haven't restored them yet. I've been restoring zenith portholes and radios for collectors lately. But when I finish, I'm definitely going to start in my Dumont set next!

[bandersen]

I finally had time to pull the chassis. I only see one replaced cap and probably a new power/volume/tone control.







That bumblebee is a replacement. The rest are Motorola branded paper caps that I plan on restuffing.


I suspect this control is a replacement.

[Crist Rigott]

Looks like a neat project! Thanks.

[bandersen]

I sure hope the tuner is good. Looks like a nightmare to work on!

[bandersen]

The back was held on by these combo 1/4" hex - flat bladed wood screws. I'd like to get more to replace some missing from this set and for others in my collection. I wonder if they are still made ?

[EdKozk2]

Bob,
Is that felt or foam around the inside perimeter of the CRT mask? It looks like it sagging in the picture.
Ed

[bandersen]

I think it's felt.

[Kevin Kuehn]

Originally Posted by bandersen

The back was held on by these combo 1/4" hex - flat bladed wood screws. I'd like to get more to replace some missing from this set and for others in my collection. I wonder if they are still made ?

That same basic type of screw is still available, although they don't have the rounded over tops or the dark color. How many of those are you missing?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tapping-screws/=14hhqbm

What you have there appears to be an acorn head?

[bandersen]

Just two for this set but I have others missing many more. Yes, I think they are acorn head. I suppose slotted hex washer head screws are the closest modern equivalent. Perhaps they could be ground or filed down a bit.

I recalling see a demo on Youtube of burning modern zinc plating off with a blowtorch. Then the raw steel could be darkened with chemicals

[decojoe67]

Nice find Bob. I had tried to get one of these from a friend who was always hesitating on selling it. I'm out of space for it now anyway! It really is a nice small '40's console TV, and not very common.

[pdr-fml]

Hello I just joined this forum and this is my first post. The reason I joined is primarily because I just acquired a VK106 with TS-9C chassis myself at an estate sale. I have never restored a tv before and am hoping to use this forum for advice when I can't figure it out myself. I enjoy watching your vids Banderson on youtube and hope you will have something on the VK106. Attached is a pic of cabinet which is in about the same condition as yours. It does have bezel I just removed it for cleaning.

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by pdr-fml

Hello I just joined this forum and this is my first post. The reason I joined is primarily because I just acquired a VK106 with TS-9C chassis myself at an estate sale. I have never restored a tv before and am hoping to use this forum for advice when I can't figure it out myself. I enjoy watching your vids Banderson on youtube and hope you will have something on the VK106. Attached is a pic of cabinet which is in about the same condition as yours. It does have bezel I just removed it for cleaning.

I'd recommend getting an AA5 tube radio and a 8+ tube console radio and doing capacitor replacement and resto work on those radios in that order before working on the TV to build the needed skills.