I've owned this set for 20 years or so now and don't know what to do with it. I've never plugged it in and just keep moving it around. I can't seem to part with it, but I don't think I have the ability to restore it electronically (I'm more confident about my cabinet restoring skills).

Let's assume that I have slightly better than average soldering skills, but only a general knowledge of electronics. I can recap a chassis, but that's about it. Should I keep it and tackle an electronic restoration, or am I going to find myself hopelessy over my head with something too complicated? Should I just haul it to Radiofest this weekend and give in to common sense?

That's a very complicated set because it has SO MANY parts. I have done one! There are a few things to look at: Is the front-surfaced parabolic mirror in good shape? Lots of them got tarnished, and that's about $350 to get re-silvered. Does the chassis look to be un-molested and complete? And last, is the CRT any good? If all those things look OK, then it is probably restorable. But as I said, it's a BIG job!!! I cannot recommend it for a hobbyist who hasn't already done a few fairly involved restorations. If you want it restored electronically, I might recommend Steve Kissinger (AK usedname Steve K). I have seen his work, and would trust him with any restoration.

However, don't restore it for cash resale value reasons. It's likely that you will invest much more than the set can be sold for. But if you like it, and it's worth it to YOU, then you should do it. That's what the hobby is all about!

Charles

That's what I was afraid of. Oh well, I have other things to play with. Guess this piggy is going to market.

The chassis and the mirror *look* fine to my untrained eye. Mice got at the HV cable that goes into the tub.

Thanks for the quick reply!

I've restored a number of these RCA projection sets, and they are a bear. Biggest pain is the shear number of capacitors that need to be replaced and troubleshooting because of the multiple chassis that need to be out on the workbench.

But, if you want a good representative of a projection TV this is probably the best one you could have (short of a Berkshire) to display. It was RCA's first projection set, came out in late 1947 and was produced through 1948 at a cost of $1200.

The spherical mirror will cost $125 to have re-silvered by Clausing in Chicago, the CRT's are usually good and there seems to be a good number of them available at reasonable prices.

I'll agree with Charles, if you don't have a burning desire to keep the unit and you can't do the work yourself, don't bother restoring it as the chances of recouping your costs is pretty low.

I have 14 projection sets and it is doubtful that I'll even get back my initial investment on them, but I love having them and will probably keep adding more to the collection.

Chuck

Hey Charles;

Thank you!

Steve

BTW, I have done a few of these as well and Chuck is right, there are a ton of capacitors to replace.