1960s Magnavox set info - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Garrard201 · #1 12-30-2007, 11:23 PM

Hello all... I'm not 100% knowledgable on early BW sets, but I found this one recently. It's in pretty good physical shape, and I like the design. NOW, what I do know is that this unit has no UHF knob, so I'm guessing it's pre-1964. I haven't plugged it in because I know I should use a Variac(?), but I don't know what that is or why. I assume it doesn't work, which is why I found it sitting on the curb. I also assume it's B/W since there's no color controls (tint, color, etc). The model number is obscured... I only got the first 2 digits: "1M."

Anyone know anything about this? Age? Model? Original cost? Rarity? Ease of repair? Is it worth fixing? It seems a shame to gut it and just use it to house a $99 Best Buy special.

MRX37 · #2 12-30-2007, 11:54 PM

That looks like a late 1950's TV. Probably not worth alot, but I bet a lot of people here would frown if it was gutted...

jpdylon · #3 12-31-2007, 12:35 AM

Don't gut it!!!

Although the market for these is not huge, they are disappearing and becoming more and more rare by the day.

The reason for the variac is to slowly bring it out of hibernation. If you were to just slam it with full wall voltage after its been sitting, there is a good chance something would go POP. Most likely a power supply B+ filter.

They are fairly simple sets and easy to repair. One of the TV forum moderators lives about 40 miles outside chichago. He may be able to help you if you want to take a trip.

Tube TV · #4 12-31-2007, 02:06 AM

I would say 1957-58 ? , around there . I would fix it if I was in your position rather than gut it . There are fewer and fewer of these sets around .
The cabinet looks good , and if you done a recap on it , it would most likely work as good as new .
The market is not as strong for these sets compared to a 1946 to 1950 televisions , but they are still really neat . I have tube televisions in my collection that are from as new as 1974 .
If you have the space for it , they really add a neat retro look to a room .

Garrard201 · #5 12-31-2007, 10:28 AM

OK, OK... it's not going to be gutted! : ) The set is actually in storage in Ohio. I remember seeing one guy on that auction site from Canton who had TONS of old TVs, and I was thinking of taking it to him for repair, but a quick search yielded nothing. Any know of another old TV expert around NE Ohio? I don't even have a Variac, so I don't want to plug it in.

jpdylon · #6 12-31-2007, 10:30 AM

There are a few folks around the ohio area here. Perhaps they will chime in

Tubejunke · #7 01-01-2008, 01:38 AM

You could use the 100 watt light bulb in the line chord trick for a slow warm. Many of these sets will snap back to life without restoration. Many older sets were pushed to the side or storage when color sets became more affordable. There was nothing at all wrong with them and many did not have a ton of hours of use. People simply didnt leave the TV on half or all of the day back then. Most watched the evening news and a few prime time sit coms and hit the sack. The wives cried over a few soaps during the hard labor abuse of housekeeping. Thats about it.

Anyway you find the set on a curb as the owner has moved or died and other than dormancy the set is fine. Ideally it is well known that capacitor replacement is the way to go but not totally necessary. It really depends on how much you want to use the set to me....

fsjonsey · #8 01-01-2008, 06:08 PM

NE Ohioan here. I'm still looking for another TV collector in the area. Someone who would be willing to sell me a nice 21"ish b&w consolette.

MRX37 · #9 01-01-2008, 06:11 PM

I thought it was late 50's. I have a 1958 Sears Silvertone that has a very similar screen.

fsjonsey · #10 01-01-2008, 06:22 PM

By the geometry of the tube, I'd say its a late 50's set.
If you're looking for a repair shop in the Cleveland area, John's Tv on Pearl road will fix pretty much any set. I know some other AK'ers have bought roundies and other sets from him before.
http://www.yellowbook.com/profile/jo...ct=3&cs=2&an=0

Garrard201 · #11 01-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the info, Jonsey, I might call him when I am back visiting in a few weeks. There was one shop right near my friend's house in Medina I was considering, but I had taken him another set a few years back and he was THE WORST. Forget the name, but it was on 303 near Walt's Pizza. Anyhow, someone mentioned a trick to maybe getting this thing to snap to life... elaborate please? : )

Garrard201 · #12 01-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Oh, and you also mentioned wanting a consolette. I know that's not what mine is, and I know it's not a "bookshelf" TV thanks to the stand it's on. Nor is it a console. What would I call this?

Jeffhs · #13 01-01-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrard201

Oh, and you also mentioned wanting a consolette. I know that's not what mine is, and I know it's not a "bookshelf" TV thanks to the stand it's on. Nor is it a console. What would I call this?

Table model, perhaps?

PioneerGuy75 · #14 01-13-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

You could use the 100 watt light bulb in the line chord trick for a slow warm.....

I am guessing that what you mean is to wire a 100 watt light bulb in series?

jpdylon · #15 01-13-2008, 11:33 PM

Ayup.

1st, pull out the horizontal output tube. If you bring up the voltage slowly with it in circuit, it can damage the flyback and surrounding circuitry due to excessive current draw.

Start out with a 40 for about one hour. Then move up to 60 for an hour, then 100. If at any time the light changes rapidly or gets really bright, STOP! THis indicates a problem somewhere in the chassis that is drawing too much current. Further operation could damage the set beyond reasonable repair.

Otherwise, if all is well, remove the series light and plug the set directly into the wall, put the horizontal output tube back in and turn it on. See if you can get a picture.