TV Backs
 

A few of my sets are missing backs and I know some of yours are too.
So I've started archiving pictures of masonite and metal backs with that though that they could be reproduced.

It's just a Flickr set for now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7003980...598416/detail/

Some of these I own and can take measurements if requested.

If there's any interest and it grows bigger, I might make a searchable database out of them.

Here are a couple outfits that already make repro backs for radios and TVs. No affiliation.
http://www.retro-tronics.com/ (only radios i think)
http://www.amptechsystems.com/reproductions.htm (630TS, 721TS, etc)


Any thoughts?

Interesting, I have quite a few sets missing backs, it seems rare to actually find a 1940s or early 50s set that's not missing the back.

Is it possible to just buy sheets of masonite, with the possibility of making our own?

Sure, that's what I was getting at. Once you know what they look like, you can cut up and drill a sheet to match :)

Could this perhaps be a category in the "Photo Galleries" section of this site that we could all post to?:scratch2:
I bet we could put together a very useful collection of back pictures for those that would like to make their own.

jr

Anyone want to design a jig with stepper motors to automate the process of drilling dozens to hundreds of holes in the patterns you see on TV backs? Maybe some combination of a drill press and the guts of one of those computer-controlled quilting machines. :)

I think I'll try making a back for my Philco 49-1040 using a drill press. Seems like loads of fun :D

Fair Radio has 20 or 30 tv backs and no tv's to match them to. If interested pm me with model numbers and make and I can check for you, Doug

I thought "what a great idea...I think I will give it a shot" , as my Philco is also missing a back. As I figure, the back should be about 19" W by about 22" H with nearly 400 7/16" holes...easy! right?

A quick measurement of my drill press reveals that I can only drill in about 5" or so from the edge of the material, leaving almost a sq ft of material in the center of the back that I will have to drill with a hand drill...aaargghhh! :no:

Shoulda bought a bigger drill press!

jr

Aw crap - I should have thought of that. Mine can only go 4.5" :dammit:

Pegboard, that is what you need. Masonite with predrilled holes, designed for workshop walls. I've never bought any in a lumber yard but it shouldn't be too hard to find. The only back I've made so far was done by taking the back off a junked late model console and modifying it. A coat of brown paint made it look right on the back of a Zenith, but dealing with the tube cap wasn't easy.

Yep, I thought about that too. My local Menards has it in 2'X2' and 2'X4' sheets. The only problem is that there are far fewer holes - spaced about 1.5" apart I think.
I suppose it's a good start - maybe drill extra holes :scratch2:

For my CTC-11, I had I gotten as far as buying pegboard at Home Depot, who cut it to the size I wanted. I didn't go any farther because a person who had sold me some radios stumbled across the real back and I got it for the price of postage.

For the tube cap, I had thought of looking for a rectangular plastic planter about the right size and with slightly slanted sides, cutting to the right depth, epoxying it on and painting. Note I said planter (i.e., no drainage holes), not plant pot. Not perfect, but if you get all torn up over authenticity on this detail, you deserve a spanking. The cardboard cap on the CTC-11 back is so darned cheesy . . . .

Anyone need a piece of pegboard cut to fit a CTC-11? I already have a box just the right size to ship it in.

Phil

I have a 49-1040 with its back, if either of you want pictures or other details of the back for reproduction. It is on the bottom of a stack of TVs in a closet, though, so it would be 2-3 weeks before I could get to it. Let me know.

Thanks for the offer. I did find a couple decent pictures online so I know the general shape and hole pattern. I'm interested if yours has any interesting labels, service info, warnings etc. That's really my favorite part about having an original back.

I won't be getting around to mine for at least a month so no rush.

Over the weekend I finally found a picture of the ellusive Admiral 19A11 back and added it to my archive. Looks pretty easy to replicate.

I wil check it out when I can get into that room easier. Send me a reminder if I have not responded by mid-December.

Cabinet Back
 

My avatar is the printed masonite back of an Australian Kriesler television from 1959, and as that is the year that broadcasts started in South Australia, it's one of Adelaide's first televisions.

It's on a very long "to do " list, but now i'm feeling inspired!

Cheers.

Wow, that's a nifty back!

I've added a bunch more pictures to my archive since my original post.