My first Firestone TV! - Videokarma.org TV - Video

azbigsam · #1 09-06-2014, 07:15 PM

I have been looking for a while for a Firestone set and thanks to Justin (StellarTV) I finally have one. Also a big thanks to Roy (TV'S&MORE) who kindly gave me an original mask for the set. I owe you. The chassis had been recapped at some point. I brought it up slow on a variac and it displayed a nice raster. Then after a minute or so there was a puff of smoke that came out the back. So I'll have to mess with this later. For now I'm going to just enjoy it on the shelf next to my Firestone radio collection.

truetone36 · #2 09-06-2014, 08:17 PM

Is it a RCA 630 clone?

TV'S&MORE · #3 09-06-2014, 08:50 PM

Sam that is nice Firestone collection you have there. The TV is a nice addition to your collection. It looks like it cleaned up well.

oldtvsandtoy · #4 09-06-2014, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truetone36

Is it a RCA 630 clone?

Not on a 7" tv

azbigsam · #5 09-06-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV'S&MORE

Sam that is nice Firestone collection you have there. The TV is a nice addition to your collection. It looks like it cleaned up well.

Yes, it cleaned up well. The mask was the final touch it needed (it's being held in by masking tape for now). When I get some time I'll get it properly installed and centered. Thanks again Roy.

Sandy G · #6 09-06-2014, 09:35 PM

I HATE Yew...-Yosemite Sam, Esq.. Seriously, wish I had one..

Gregb · #7 09-06-2014, 09:47 PM

Nice set! Wish something like that would show up around here.

Gregb

decojoe67 · #8 09-06-2014, 09:58 PM

Nice example! If you need to put numbers on the channel ring, you can get rub-on one's from art-supply stores. It takes patience, but comes-out very nice. You first polish the ring, apply the numbers, and spray coat with clear. I did it on my RCA 621 and it looks totally original.

azbigsam · #9 09-07-2014, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decojoe67

Nice example! If you need to put numbers on the channel ring, you can get rub-on one's from art-supply stores. It takes patience, but comes-out very nice. You first polish the ring, apply the numbers, and spray coat with clear. I did it on my RCA 621 and it looks totally original.

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't decided if I wanted to mess with it or leave it as is. Do you have a close up of the one you did?

stromberg67 · #10 09-07-2014, 05:15 PM

Congratulations on the addition to your handsome display! Hope the problem turns out to be a simple fix.

Kevin

decojoe67 · #11 09-07-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azbigsam

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't decided if I wanted to mess with it or leave it as is. Do you have a close up of the one you did?

I snapped a quick pic for you. I was thinking about it and I must have did the job 20+ years ago! With the wear it really looks original!

hi_volt · #12 09-07-2014, 10:46 PM

Nice score Sam!

earlyfilm · #13 09-09-2014, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truetone36

Is it a RCA 630 clone?

No, but I think it is an RCA design.

It is electrically identical to the same era 7JP4 Tele-Tone with the same knob layout. Although Firestone built radios, apparently their first TV's were built by Tele-Tone.

I know their advertising said otherwise, if someone can prove who built these, I'd be interested. So many TV makers from that era shared the identical chassis, I've often wondered who built them and who just sold them.

James

dieseljeep · #14 09-09-2014, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

No, but I think it is an RCA design.

It is electrically identical to the same era 7JP4 Tele-Tone with the same knob layout. Although Firestone built radios, apparently their first TV's were built by Tele-Tone.

I know their advertising said otherwise, if someone can prove who built these, I'd be interested. So many TV makers from that era shared the identical chassis, I've often wondered who built them and who just sold them.

James

The 7" models were built by Tele-tone.
Firestone had several manufacturers build their TV and radio products.
Stewart-Warner, Warwick, GE, Sonora, Wells-Gardner, Colonial, Sentinel and even Philco, for their later products. I probably missed a few, including Arvin.
They had, almost as many suppliers as Sears-Roebuck.

Tubejunke · #15 09-10-2014, 01:15 AM

The mask looks identical to that of my RCA 8T-243. I was surprised when I found by dropping it on the floor and having it snap in two that it was made of wood. Luckily a clean break that is hardly noticeable. I would replace it if I ever saw another, but the project has been pushed aside for several years now.

I always thought that oddball names like Firestone (for TVs) were interesting when looking through old Life and Look magazines as a kid. Nice find!