RCA 8T241 scored
 

I took a long lunch break today and picked up this RCA 8T241 :)
About 7 months ago I visited this sellers shop and scored a Motorola VT71 blond, Predicta Princess and a B&K 1077B. Back then they were asking $125 and I passed on it.

Friday it was listed for only $25 and I jumped on it.

It looks to be in pretty good shape inside and out - even has the back. Luckily, I found that missing piece of veneer in the floor. It should be easy to glue back on.

It's still out in my car - way too heavy to carry up two flights of stairs :drool: I'll try removing the CRT later tonight. That's how I managed to get my 630TS up here.

http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/01-01.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/01-02.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/01-03.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/01-04.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/01-05.jpg

I think I'll tackle this set before I attempt my 630TS. I believe it's a similar chassis :scratch2:

Kewl !

Great find !! :banana:

Is it any wonder that most TV collectors have bad backs ?

As I recall this is a simplified version of the 630 (1946-30 tubes) I think that 824 means 1948-24 tubes.

LOL. When I first tried to pick it up, I though it was bolted to the table it was sitting on o.O

Time to hit the gym!

I think you're right about that tube count.

Be careful lifting these heavy TVs. A TV serviceman that I knew about 35 years ago died of a heart attack after lifting one of the 1960s long console color sets. Of course, he was also very overweight and a heavy smoker which did not help.

I used to be mostly a floor model kinda tv guy. But you guys keep posting pics of these gorgeous table tops. Love um.

Cool find and a great price! :thmbsp:

I have the 243 version of this set and can vouch for the weight of the set, it's a back buster, not that any 40's set is exactly light.

It's safely inside
 

I'm still alive and my back is OK :)

I remembered the trick to removing the CRT from the front. Turned out that all the rubber CRT mounts had rotted away and it was really loose. Only the yoke was holding it in place.

http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-01.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-02.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-03.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-05.jpg http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-06.jpg

Now I see why the fine tuning knob felt weird - the rubber belt had hardened.
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-04.jpg

It's so nice when all the parts and knobs are there :yes:
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-07.jpg

Genuine RCA picture tube. Initial dead on my B&K 440 - just touching the "good" region after an hour @ 6.3 vac. That's about average for all by 10BP4s.
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-08.jpg

Control panel is in decent condition.
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-09.jpg

Nice little service port underneath revealed a pristine chassis. No obvious signs of any repair attempts.
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/02-10.jpg

Dunno when I'll get around to this set. I've already got enough projects for the next two years :D

Wow, very nice find. That set is in great shape, the chassis is even clean! I have two of these sets. One was from the local NBC affiliate here in Chicago.
I drove to Detroit two years ago to pick up another one. It was free on Craig's list. It had been stored in a garage for the last thirty years and shows it. I wanted the 10BP4 from it, as I had careless stored the original and it got broke when my mom cleaned the basement. I now have both sets in my new home but haven't started restoration. Looks like you have all the parts, but PM me if you find something bad. I may be able to spare something.

Thanks for the offer - I'll keep you in mind!

Do recall any type of padding between the CRT mounts and the CRT? There's one in each corner.
Mine are all bare metal with no trace of any coating. Bare metal against heavy glass under vacuum seems like a bad idea :no:

http://www.bobandersen.com/images/rca%208T241/03-01.jpg

There's a blonde version on eBay right now. Not exactly the most attractive cabinet in my opinion. Wonder why they didn't find some wood with interesting grain for the front?

Hey I'm glad you grabbed that, was it in a shop in like a weird little plaza of suites all in dark red brick? I think it was in Northbrook on Commercial Ave. I passed on it too for 125$. They had some cool stuff in there but nothing I would go nuts over at the time. Seems like you grabbed all the good stuff:) I was there about 7 months ago too, we must have been like ships passing in the night.:D

Yep, that's the place :yes: They had a bunch of metal portables, test equipment and radios back then.

I didn't get all the good stuff though. I just didn't realize at the time what some of it was :tears:

A few weeks later they had a big everything must go sale that I missed. I was really surprised that this set was still around. It's mostly all gone now - just a few combo radio record players left.

They're focusing on vintage bikes now. I took a few pics with my cell phone while I was there.

On the 630TS the metal supports have little cushions made of rubber or plastic. Over time, I suppose they slip off or go to pieces.

What to replace them with is left to the reader's imagination -- glued-on pads of some type, creative business with heavy shrink tubing, or (if nobody's watching) a few licks of electrical tape. You don't need a ton of padding. Anyone who moves these whales every time they vacuum the carpet deserves to reap the bitter harvest :)

Phil

Thanks for the suggestions Phil. This chassis is similar to the one you're working on isn't it? I couldn't find any markings on the chassis, but it looks similar to your photos.