Stromberg-Carlson TC 10-H "Manhattan" restoration

[bandersen]

I just won the "opera glass" knob on ebay thanks to AUdubon5425. How bizarre is that!

[pugs5061]

The knob thing is freaky. You also had Tim sayng he had one too. It makes you wonder about the rarity of certain objects. I can think of very few objects that are truely one of a kind and if there is a demand for them what there corresponding price may be. It also kinda shows that to a certain extent in our own little way we all (If you have a hobby or collect anything) tend to stash away or hoard certain items. For this I am greatful. Without it our history and maybe even our lives would become very dull and drab.

[bandersen]

Try googling "Stromberg-Carlson model TC-10" and you won't find many out there. I'm not sure what that really says about rarity though. Maybe there are 1000s and the owners just don't have any internet presence.

I suppose if anyone is going to have a spare knob for oddball sets, this is the place to find them. So maybe it's not all that strange after all

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Maybe there are 1000s and the owners just don't have any internet presence.

I doubt there are thousands of TC-10s, but I can testify that there's a big, wide world out there that couldn't care less about the Internet. Lots of people, lots of interesting items -- including TVs -- that you won't find by doing Internet searches or yakking with Internet rats like us

Phil

[electronjohn]

What a cool set! Can't wait to see it after your usual top-notch resto. BTW...what was the wood cabinet thing sitting to its right in your first pic?

[bandersen]

Thanks. That was a Motorola phonograph.

[bandersen]

My box 'o knobs arrived today. It contains a few 40s, 50s and 60s knobs including a partial set of metal SC knobs. They indicate a 'phono' mode - I wonder what set these are from




Here's the "opera Glass" knob back in place. All the metal surfaces on the set have acquired a patina. I wonder if I should leave it as is or try polishing. If I do polish, what should I use ?

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by bandersen

patina. I wonder if I should leave it as is or try polishing. If I do polish, what should I use ?

Is the metal plated? Painted? Worn through anywhere? If worn through, what's underneath? Pot metal? Brass? Other?

I wouldn't get too aggressive until you know what you're dealing with. What's the stock phrase -- "test in a small unobtrusive area?"

It's possible to polish some kinds of paint. I have polished the rosy hammertone paint on Zenith radio "Goliath" chassis, for instance. Some kinds of paint won't really polish, however, and others will polish right off before you can say Jiminy Cricket.

Phil

[bandersen]

Great points. I believe the channel and opera glass knobs are zinc or similar alloy. I'm not sure about the screen bezel. My only reference so far is this set which looks like shiny brass: http://www.myvintagetv.com/tc10.htm

"test in a small unobtrusive area?" I'm not sure there is such a thing when it comes to the trim on this set but I'll see what I can do.

At least I can get some red and black lacquer stick for the recessed lettering.