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.