RCA Victor 630 TS

[Steve McVoy]

I guess it is possible that it is a prototype, but I think the kit explanation is much more likely. Some pictures might help figure out what it is.

[Bill Cahill]

Here are some pictures, guys. Sorry. It downloaded them in reverse......

[Bill Cahill]

Everything, including terminal stripa, and, mounting brackets are held on with mostly phillips screws.
Only the antenna terminal strip, and, the sync strip are riveted on.
No part nos on anything.
No names, except on vert. osc. trans., which says RCA in big block letters..
Well, what do you think??
Bill Cahill

[Steve McVoy]

Looks like a kit set to me. The chassis and cabinet were probably RCA surplus.

[Sandy G]

It's a Junky, Worthless, POS, KIT....NOT worthy of yr Collection- Send it to me, I gots a BIG dam ol' Sinkhole I been tryin' to fill up for YEARS...(grin)

[Bill Cahill]

Just for interest, what's it worth? Seems a kit would be even rarer....
I think I'll make the best of it. I'll change to orig. RCA cage, and, cage screws.
I may put model on chassis.
I'll neaten it up some, and, get it playing.
Looks like gun in tube is good....
Bill Cahill

[dieseljeep]

What kind of tuner does it use? Is there channel one. If it uses a Standard coil tuner, it's probably a clone.
I see it uses that crazy RCA field coil ion trap.

[Penthode]

I remember seeing many years ago a 1948 or so Popular Science article on building a 630TS from a kit. The article was written by Robert Gorman.

Here is a link from a 1950 article of his converting his kit TV to a 16AP4.

http://books.google.com/books?id=KS0...icture&f=false

[Bill Cahill]

The set has Channel 1.
Uses the 630 tuner as well.
EVERYTHING 630!!!

Why would anybody want to build a clone set??
For all intents, and, purposes, it's a 630....

So, what say you guys? Personally, I would think this set would be rarer..
More valuable?
Less?
The same?
Should I change the hv cage to standard RCA 630?
It's not safe the way it is, nor, original looking.
Bill Cahill

[Eric H]

Get it running and leave it alone, I wouldn't change the cage unless your cover won't fit this one, otherwise I wouldn't mess much with it.

The Bakelite tube sockets are a nice upgrade from the wafer sockets.

[Sandy G]

I dunno... I might err on the side of caution & make it safe...But keep the "Original" parts & maybe a note or somethin' w/them...

[Steve McVoy]

You might be right that a kit set would be worth more than a factory 630. Kits and home made sets don't seem to bring as much as factory ones, but who knows.

If the set is actually from a kit and it could be identified, that would help the value. If it is a home made job using a surplus RCA chassis, that would lower the value.

[Bill Cahill]

I think I'll change the cage. It is a little flimsy, and, no protection in front at all. The door can't be attatched to it, so, the door is also a little flimsy. Only two screws to hold it on at the cord...
I don't know. I have no proof either way on who made it..
No part nos., or, anything..
Some tubes are original RCA tubes, so, is it poosible RCA sold the parts? Cabinet is fully RCA, as are the knobs...
Where did they get info to align it??
O.K. Maybe Sams, or, riders...
Hmmm. Wonder if a dealer bought the parts, and, put it together???
The set had been used, as several tubes are replacements. A couple RCA replacements, some GE, some Sylvania, etc......

Wiring looks proffessional to me.
When I get a chance, I'll hook up a signal to it, and, see what it does. It had snow, sound, got a radio station on an off channel, etc....
Tuner is dirty anyway...
I'll keep original parts for refference.
Might even use original screws in it now.
Won't change anything else.
Might clean chassis some....
I want to find out what that added fuse is under the chassis...
Interesting set to me.....

Tried looking up the article on when the guy built his set, but, found nothing...
Refference kept pointing to several articles on kit building, but, no links directly to it...
Saw nothing with this "cage".
All had original RCA cage....
Bill Cahill

[Electronic M]

The fly mounting and the original non RCA part of the cage does not look like a jury rig to me. I think you should keep the cage as is because it might serve as an identifier if someone has or finds a set with the same chassis.

If you have not done TV alignments before then this is a VERY bad set to learn on as not only is the 630 more complicated than most sets, but also you have no way to be certain that all the adjustments are the same as on the 630.

[Bill Cahill]

The set's already been serviced, and, works.
I assume he already did that as part of service.

I wasn't going to throw out the cage. Just change it. I'll have to think it over. It's involved...
I have a cage, but, it's rusty.
Oh, well...
Bill Cahill