Motorola VT-71 restoration (TS-4J chassis, Blonde cabinet)

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by Adam

anyone know what material Hoffman and DuMont used?

Here's a photo of a metal RA-103 Chatham back.

Wish I had a back for my Meadowbrook console, but I'm too lazy to make one. I imagine it's identical to this, only rectangular rather than with sloped sides.

Phil Nelson

[bandersen]

I spent some more time searching around online and found OnlineMetals.com

The original back is 18-22 gauge (sorry no caliper) with 5/16" holes on 0.5" center. 6" x 16" with a 1/2" lip on the bottom to hold the power cord bracket.

The closest they have is 16 gauge with 3/8" holes on 9/16" center.

The best part is they'll cut it for a very reasonable price. I'm ordering 2 pieces at 6.75" X 16" @ $10.80 a piece.

Otherwise, I could go with 12 inches x 24 inches for $17.84 and cut it myself.

If I can't manage to bend that lip, I'll just cut that 3/4" off and plug a cheater cord right into the chassis.

(edit)

It turns out that this size is perfect for an Admiral 19A11 set too so I ordered three

-

[bandersen]

Here's the perforated sheet metal I picked up. It's not quite the same, but it's the closest I could find at a reasonable price.

I'm going to try bending over a lip using the technique Reece suggested. That leaves the sides which should be solid for about an inch. I suppose I could fill the holes in with something, weld/glue a metal strip on, or just leave it perforated and mount it as best I can

[jeyurkon]

Not bad! Too bad they didn't cut it the other way though. You could fill the holes then and make it look original.

John

[bandersen]

It took me far too long to realize what you meant The brain cells are getting sluggish in this heat

They didn't offer an orientation option when I placed my order. Oh well, only a very select few would ever notice the difference.

[cwmoser]

Hmmm. If only you could find some metal trim pieces to wrap around the edge.
I've seen it somewhere in long strips. Thinking ... anyone else recall?

Carl

[M3-SRT8]

Very nice. Don't be overly concerned with the "orange" finish. I'm sure there were batch differences from the cabinet vendor(s).

Good Work;

LJB

[bandersen]

Here's a little update on this set. I scored a complete, matching set of tan knobs for this set. Much nicer than the mismatched brown ones I had earlier IMHO.

[bandersen]

I just picked up a small supply of quartered, figured Primavera veneer and it looks darn near identical to the stuff Motorola used.
If anyone needs to do a little cabinet patching, I have more than I need so send a PM.
I got it from this ebay seller: http://stores.ebay.com/Veneer-from-A...id=p4340.l2563

[Zenith26kc20]

I know this is a very old thread but I'm getting ready to put this and the DC restoration mod in a TS-18. I take it the pin from the CRT (on ground) is lifted and connected to the vertical blanking circuit.
If anyone can post or link the DC restoration schematic, it would save me a lot of time searching for it.

[bandersen]

[timmy]

Was that 7jp4 rebuilt as it looks like it has a step in the neck where a new gun was fused together in a previous picture you posted showing the neck.

[timmy]

What exactly does the clamp diode do.

[bandersen]

It's a DC restoration circuit.

I don't know if it's a rebuild or that's the way it was originally made. I've never heard of electrostatic CRTs being rebuilt.

[Zenith26kc20]

Thanks Banderson! Really appreciate the help!!