How much weight can it hold....
 

I'm sure it will be fine, but I need reassurance. How much weight can the top of my Avante hold, safely? I have an RCA VDT-350 weighing in at 35 lbs and want to set it on top of the TV. Currently I have it on a wall shelf above it, but I live in earthquake territory and know that if it falls off the shelf and onto the top of the TV, it will do some serious damage. So sitting on top of the TV seems the safest bet. The cabinet is sturdy, with no signs of deterioration.

So, what do you think? Good to go, or leave it on the shelf and strap it down?

Thanks

Most TV's can safely hold components like that. Some, like my 1967 RCA CTC-25 "Winslow" have a top that tends to flex a little, those I only put light stuff on. It's holding my 1937 Zenith 5S127 now. If it seems really strong and doesn't flex when you press down, I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had an Avantí, but knowing Zenith, I'm highly doubt you'll have a problem.

That era of Zenith cabinet tends to be sturdy....I've had a 208Lb Sony on top of my '71 Zenith boyden cabinet hybrid.

Hm, I think the Avante has a thinner top than most other consoles of the time, but 35 pounds still isn't much. What I would do is use a piece of 3/4" plywood between the Avante and the VCR to distribute the weight more evenly and prevent warping, with something underneath to avoid scratching up the cabinet of course.

I've thought about doing that too. I've just used a folded over bath towel to prevent scratching and that's what works for me.

The real question is: will it blend?

I'd hate to spoil the look with anything between the VCR and TV (towel, plywood, etc.). I know the top is cherry and the VCR is faux wood and light grey plastic. I think it will look okay. I currently have and ON TV box and Atari 2600 on it and they look right at home.

I've attached a pic showing the internal supports for the top, but they are all on the perimeter, no center support. The link is to a post where I posted a pic that will give you an idea of the thickness of the top.

http://videokarma.org/showpost.php?p...7&postcount=12

Thanks

I'd be more concerned about the base of an Avanti than the top, still a 35 lb VCR isn't really that much, you could probably sit on the set and still not break it.

I had assumed the Avante's cabinet is all plastic, so much for that. A cherry top with the kind of reinforcing I see will take the weight no sweat at all. If the top will accommodate it, you could add a center support beam just like the one in the back just for good measure. I did that when rebuilding my Heathkit GR-370's framework because of the unusual weight distribution. However, I used 1/2" plywood for that because that was the thickness of the original panel. It was particle board and so was the support beam, what were they thinking? When I first saw the thing I thought the CRT had broken loose from its moorings at the top.

I've sat on my avanti (all 200-230lbs of me) and have a 23" monochrome Setchel Carlson school TV (40-65lbs) on top of it currently. The only worry would be at my weight if you add un-balanced load the base feel like it wants to flex a bit.

My guess is the top is plywood with a veneer. The base is quite sturdy and has many contact points. I can't see it flexing if it's on a level surface with all pads touching.

Okay, I'm going to put the unit on the TV this weekend and see how I like that arrangement (and keep an eye out for any signs of bowing, etc.).

Thanks for the input.

If you're anything like me, you'll get tired of the look and rearrange every few weeks.

That is very true. I rotate the old TV guide sitting on the set as well.

Put it on top. we used to stack sets 3 high when busy in
the summer. Things were tougher then. I remember walking
up my hood & sitting on the roof of cars. No harm done. Try
that today..........

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

I remember when I got my new Durango back in 2000. After about a month I noticed all these small dents in the hood up near the wipers on the driver's side. I couldn't figure out where they were coming from. Then one day I was sitting at the car wash and watching them dry it off. I saw the guy spray cleaner on the windshield and lean on the fender and support his arm with his elbow right at the base of the windshield directly on the hood where all the dents were appearing. The darn metal is so thin now, you can dent it with a little pressure from your elbow. From that day forward I made sure they stood on the little step ladder and no new dents from that day forward.