I've had mixed luck with buying TVs from ebay, but I couldn't resist gambling on this set. Some of you may have seen it listed a couple weeks ago. It had some visible damage to the cabinet in the listing - the whole left side of the CRT bezel is gone. Of course, all the knobs are missing too.

Only two other bid on it during the auction and they both retracted their bids. Probably when they noticed the damage. So I got it for next to nothing.

The seller had never shipped a TV before. Did it survive ? More or less. There were only two screws securing the chassis in the rear and they blew out the bakelite. Also, there's a crack running down one entire side.
At least it's mostly on the bottom and can't be seen. Finally, the HV cover is missing and the HV tube was thrown from it's socket!

Broken bezel, missing knobs, original speaker cloth. I think I'll try leadlike's J.B. Weld cast technique (http://www.videokarma.org/showthread.php?t=246388) to fabricate a replacement for that missing segment of bezel.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4158681941_8199f94736_b.jpg

This set has a glass faceplate with a few scratches. The foam gasket is intact.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4158685347_76fc60657c_b.jpg

The bakelite is incredibly dull and faded except where something protected some of the top. I've been doing a little experimenting with Brasso and Novus. I can already tell it's going to take a lot of elbow grease, but I think I can bring it back.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4159492652_6020685ab2_b.jpg

Sideview
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4158682135_1009c30a3f_b.jpg

Original, hinged back
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4159443952_8b1ba5f4b9_b.jpg

Blown out screw holes
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4158683377_8d10e1d0c4_b.jpg

Crack running length of case
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4159444742_4d8b01f6c8_b.jpg

1B3 ejected
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/4159444188_7733583198_b.jpg

I salvaged all the broken bakelite bits from the box
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4158752889_76a54a1442_b.jpg

The chassis is 100% original. All tube present and accounted for. I can't spot a single repair.
zenithfan1 has already agreed to send me a cover to replace the missing one :thmbsp:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/4158683647_0264504646_b.jpg

Even the HV caps are the original Motorolas like a time capsule. Almost makes me not want to restore it and toss all those Motorola labeled parts.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4158684209_2f23c4ed67_b.jpg

Finally, the picture tube is really bright!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/4159446570_4aa4a4a756_b.jpg

"Don't walk into the lighhhht!" ;)

Is your chassis copper plated like this one? If not, I wonder why they wouldn't all be the same?

Also, do you have this label under yours? I wonder if they had to rework too many of them when mine was made.

John

LOL. I have that CRT hooked up to a 7VT2 set designed to use a 7JP4. The grid bias may be off a little.

Nope, not copper plated. Neither is my other TS-18 chassis. My 3 TS-4X chassis are though. I wonder if they decided it wasn't worth the extra expense?

Yes, I do have that label though :D I hadn't noticed it before.
I bet you're right - too many mistakes were being made.

Thanks to zenithfan1 and tvdude1 I now have a HV cover and a full set of knobs :banana:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4260469671_14c3c46226_b.jpg

The bakelite is coming along nicely :)

First, wet sanding #600- #3,000. Then, Novus #2 and Simichrome metal polish. Finally, Meguirs Tech wax.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4159492652_6020685ab2_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4662210398_6ec8dd19e8_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/4729051669_1db8207e22_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/4729051815_c8a9f9bbfa_b.jpg

Now to fill in the recesses with gold paint and repair that damaged front :scratch2:

Lookin' good Bob! :D

Wow... that Bakelite came out pretty good... I didn't think there was much hope for Bakelite once it looses it's shine.

Now how to repair that damaged front :scratch2:

In a few years, we might be able to PRINT a matching section on our own desktop 3D printers... one model is already under $15K !:scratch2:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4320759.html

But for now, can you make a decent mold from the opposite side and cast a part?

jr

In a few years, we might be able to PRINT a matching section on our own desktop 3D printers... one model is already under $15K !:scratch2:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4320759.html

But for now, can you make a decent mold from the opposite side and cast a part?

jr

Yeah, that'd be really sweet!

I suppose I will try molding the opposite side. I don't have any molding compound on hand though and I don't think playdough + jb weld will work on something this big :scratch2:

pugs5061 offered to lend me his cabinet to make a mold of the screen bezel. However, I've never done anything like this before. Any ideas ?

pugs5061 offered to lend me his cabinet to make a mold of the screen bezel. However, I've never done anything like this before. Any ideas ?

Do you want to do the whole front section, the round bezel area, or just the missing section?

John

Just the missing section. I'll try to color match it with paint and glue it in place. I bet with the right moulding bit a replacement could be made from wood.

Just the missing section. I'll try to color match it with paint and glue it in place. I bet with the right moulding bit a replacement could be made from wood.

That would probably work if you have a compass for your router.

You could also try a silicone putty to make a mold. Smoothon has tutorials on their site on how to do it. I'd recommend Equinox 40.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-an/c2_1115_1133/index.html

John

Thanks to a tip from 'charokeeroad', I just scored an undamaged 9T1 cabinet :banana:

The grille cloth is somewhat different, but otherwise they're identical.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/7210997178_9f84e14655_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/7210997178/) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7210998852_da0c50ba5e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/7210998852/)

He sent along the chassis too, but it's kinda nasty. Should be good for spare parts though.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7211092680_2384ca342c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/7211092680/) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/7211090406_e87b52b99c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70039806@N00/7211090406/)

Glad to see the seller came through for you. One if my favorite set!