http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/atq/2262469305.html

Condition really does look very good. :yes:

Kevin

Gonna try for this one, I'll be up that way today.

Go for it. Looks to be a 1951.

That's the same as the one I am working on! It's adorable :)

Gonna try for this one, I'll be up that way today.

Feel free to drop it off here on your way by to pick up the Philco. :D

Kevin

So who got it? Seller said it was gone 5 hours before I called....
Still a 35" Sony HDTV for sale!

I must confess, I am guilty. John Marinello woke me up at the un-Godly hour of 9AM after I worked on the re-cap of the ctc4 Hallicrafter chassis until 2:30AM last night. Marinello said it was close by so I called the guy in Erin, and I went over there. Erin is in the Holy Hill area of the Kettle Moraine, about 35 minutes from my house. There was no dickering, it was take it or leave it $125.

The set was found in a Chicago building which was inherited by the guy who was selling the set, along with some other antique stuff of interest. They brought the stuff up to Erin, Wi from Chicago because they sold the building in Chicago.

Cabinet is almost like new. Has a couple minor scratches, but nothing you would cry about. Grill cloth is the most pristine I have ever seen. Have not tested the crt yet. Perhaps tomorrow.

Sounds like it was probably worth the $125. Condition is everything.

Kevin

Post some more pictures of that porthole so we can drool:-)
I'm in NC and if it were close to me I would pay $125 for it.
Looks like its in outstanding condition.

Carl

Glad one of US got it....

Nice (and lightning fast) save Bob! I'll try 'n snatch up the next one:D;) I loves the portholes!:D

You guys around the windy city got it made- Snatching up TV's left and right. ;)

OK, here are 4 photos of the set. I had some time today to clean it a little and put put a nice pledge shine on it so it would look nice. Except for one small scratch which can be seen in the photo of the top, and a couple minor dings in the area of the toe skirt, it is as nearly perfect as a set this old gets. I have not tried to fire it up because I very rarely do that unless someone else has plugged it in prior to when I pick the set up. I usually wait until I have done the re-cap.

I tested the tube with my B&K 465 but the needle did not budge. So I put my trusty Beltron on it and cleaned the gun. then it was back to the B&K. Now we have emission but still only about 250 out of 1000. So I put it back on the Beltron and used the restore function. Lots of flashing of the blue lights at 6.3 volts, then ran it up to 12 for 3 seconds. Now back to the B&K. It came up to 400 right away and then to 540 in about 10 minutes. Good life test with 10 seconds hang time. Looks like I got a good 12UP4A to go with the great cabinet. The crt is not the original. It is a GE replacement and has the frosted face.

Enjoy!

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu135/antiquetvguy/1951%2012inch%20Zenith%20porthole/IMG_0878.jpg

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu135/antiquetvguy/1951%2012inch%20Zenith%20porthole/IMG_0877.jpg

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu135/antiquetvguy/1951%2012inch%20Zenith%20porthole/IMG_0874.jpg

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu135/antiquetvguy/1951%2012inch%20Zenith%20porthole/IMG_0879.jpg

Very cool. I like portholes in a smaller size rather than the usual ginormous combos.

Incidentally, Pledge is notorious for causing "fisheye" problems if you ever refinish with lacquer. I avoid using it on anything that I might refinish or touch up in future. In refinishing forums, you can find discussions about silicone oil contamination, migration into wood fibers, etc., and various sealing methods to deal with a finish that was once "Pledged."

Phil Nelson

piece of shit :D

Dammitt, dammitt, dammitt ! I REALLY wish that old guy had taken me up on my offer to trade a snubby Python w/an UNBELIEVABLE trigger pull as an "Even-Steven" trade on a '48-'49 10" tabletop Porthole Zenith...The Python's long gone-I don't even remember when or how much I sold/traded it on, but I NEVER have got me a Porthole...

Yes Phill, you are correct. I never use Pledge on sets that I know I am going to re-finish. This one is so nice, that all it needs is a couple of touch ups near the floor.

In the past, when I do a re-finish, it is either fully stripped, or I wash the entire set several time with lacquer thinner, and then wet sand with 220 prior to re-lacquering.

Have you use pre-catalized lacquers or enamels? I am trying to get first hand opinions on the pre-catalized products. I am told it is easier to build thickness with the pre-catalized products, because they don't melt into the wood with subsequent coats.

That Porthole TV is pristine - even the chassis looks pristine.

Hey Bob, looks like you have another Porthole in that Picture you posted -- in the background on the right. How about posting some more eye candy?

Carl