Farnsworth BC103 project - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Buzzsaaw · #1 03-29-2011, 12:00 PM

In the near future, I'll be starting work on a Farnsworth BC103 upright. I used to play this a lot.. 20 years ago. Now I don't want to risk the power up until I go through it. Cabinet needs a lot of work as you can see.

Front shot (duh!).

A little closer.

Notice the antenna direction control...

Should be a fun process.
I was always amazed at the sensitivity of this receiver! Even with the built in antenna, I was picking up stations all over the world! (That was before our current Sun Spot LOW).

leadlike · #2 03-29-2011, 12:37 PM

The cabinet doesn't look TOO bad-I would try Howard's restore-a-finish, or at least some old english oil wood treatment. That will fill in all those scratches. There looks to be some photofinish on some parts, so stripping the cabinet would dissolve that stuff.

Looks like a nice performing 40s radio-built in loop antenna, push pull output and rf amp. This is a pretty standard circuit for the time, but that was because it worked so well. I have a Zenith with similar features, and it can pick up WHO in Iowa on the internal loop antenna, as well as awesome shortwave reception.

Buzzsaaw · #3 03-29-2011, 12:52 PM

Thanks,
I'll see if I can find some of that stuff.

So Who's in Iowa?

"can pick up WHO in Iowa"

I appreciate the encouragement on the case. I'll have to look for that Photo stuff. The dark trim is a "chippable" dark stain/paint. I can see the wood grain through it. Even the deep gouges show wood grain (walnut?) in it.

leadlike · #4 03-29-2011, 02:18 PM

Usually the veneer was walnut. The Photofinish was a paper decal they slapped over cheap pine to make it look better-I believe the wood bars running over the grill to protect the speaker have that stuff on it. Possibly the decorative trim on the upper half of the cabinet could be photofinish, too.

Reece · #5 03-29-2011, 03:08 PM

Nice set and one not often seen. Hope you will do a step-by-step vicarious restoration for us, chassis and cabinet.

ggregg · #6 03-29-2011, 05:22 PM

WHO has a pretty hot signal. Their motto used to be (maybe it still is) "coast to coast, border to border, and then some". Although I'm not a big country fan, they used to have a very good country program late night many moons ago. Now they are just talk radio, like nearly all of the others.

Buzzsaaw · #7 03-29-2011, 05:54 PM

I've actually picked up WHO before.

Had some relatives a few miles North of Des Moines.
1040KHZ on your AM dial!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHO_%28AM%29

I like to cruse the AM band. Mexican accordion music.. Talk shows, Corny Country Music.. Blue Grass, Classical, Rock 'n' Roll!.. Love it all!

Wish they'd resend the order to go digital AM. Dumb move!.. Just like killing all the Analog TV stations. Not Good!

Enough ranting.. back to polishing my Hippo Case. (grin)

Reece · #8 03-30-2011, 06:43 AM

I've picked up WHO Des Moines strong on the car radio early mornings during the "gray line" skip before and after sunrise here in south central PA. The big Chicago stations are almost always strong here then and at night.

Buzzsaaw · #9 04-01-2011, 04:18 PM

Wow.. The Farnsworths are coming out of the wood work!

Here's one on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FARNWSORTH-MODEL...item2eb440795d

I'm not affiliated with this listing or Ebay.. Just had to say that .. and always wanted to say that.. so I did!.

Nice!

I like the audio output stage... At least on mine.. it's push pull with a phase inverter (6S07)

Buzz...

Buzzsaaw · #10 04-04-2011, 11:39 AM

Hi folks...

While I'm waiting for parts for my other projects... Thought I'd "think" about what needs to be done on my Farns.

The close ups show the picture type covering for the dark bands (trim) on the case.

Shows the real wood under the clear finish.

Shows the two types of trim. The top is the picture type and the lower may be picture but no detail, One of my questions...

Shows the no picture dark "decal" for lack of another proper term. So I strip it all off? Or fill in the gaps?

Another view.

Shows one part of the front columns and a different type of picture application.

I just don't want to goof this up so I'm asking for your expert advice and I sure appreciate all your time and advice.
Fill the gouges with "stain to match filler". Then use a cover up stain for the other scrapes that aren't to deep I guess. I've learned a bunch of stuff from Winky's posting.
Thanks much.

Buzz