Motorola 7-VT2 worth restoring ?

[bandersen]

Initially, I bought this set just for the 7JP4, but it's more complete than I expected. Of course, the case is broken in half (cleanly) and a little warped. I figure I can glue it back together. If the crack is too noticeable, I'll use filler then sand and paint it.

I believe only the HV cage + flyback will be tricky to replace. The homebrew ballast and missing speaker shouldn't be too bad. The rest looks intact.

What do you guys think - am I crazy ?

[zenith2134]

With enough elbow grease, it can be saved. Seems like the electronics are the least of your problems here. If I was presented with this project, I'd be somewhat inclined to build a custom wooden cabinet for it.

[bandersen]

That's a though although I already have the blonde and mahogany wood versions I just can't image where I'd get another flyback aside from getting another TS-18 chassis. Are replacements available ?

[Tony V]

One of the members here had a busted case just like this one. It had fallen off a shelf and broke into several pieces. He glued it back together, smoothed everything out and sprayed it. It came out looking really nice. If you look in the photo gallery on here and in Horizontal hold where the tv pic's are..you'll see the end result. These chassis' are plentiful so i'm sure someone might have spare parts you may need. Let us know how this turns out. Good Luck!
-Tony

[Steve K]

I have an old chassis up in the shed that has been stripped of everything but the flyback and the cage. Give me a day or two to look for it. I don't know if the flyback is good however.

Steve

[bandersen]

Tony - thanks for the tip about the photo gallery. I'll have to post some pics one of these days. I'll be sure to post progress updates in this thread. It'll be nice to finally get a set working. None of my 9 sets currently work at all.

Thanks Steve - that's a very nice coincidence

[jeyurkon]

The chassis doesn't look like there are too many pieces to deal with.

I don't see the mount that suspends the CRT from the top of the chassis. Is it missing?

John

[bandersen]

Nope, I have that bit - it just got cropped out of the photos. I've examined the underside and a few parts have been snipped out. Hopefully, it's just caps and resistors. All the tubes are gone too but they're all common ones.

[Eric H]

If the 7JP4 is good I'd look for a better set to put it in, that thing's beyond reasonable repair IMO.

[jpdylon]

I would repair the electronics and then find a good looking cabinet to stuff it into!

Again, like Eric said - if the 7jp4 is good.

[zenithfan1]

Try to glue it together and see what happens, what can you lose? Looks like a challenge to me, those are always fun.

[sansui2000A]

Don't scrap it! J-B Weld it!

http://www.jbweld.net/index.php

[zenithfan1]

Yeah, what the hell, give it a try. Just don't ever sand Bakelite. We went into that awhile back about the asbestos and other harmful fillers they used in the manufacturing of the Bakelite. If you can make those joints smooth, paint it off white and it would look great! There was a white one at the ETF I almost bid on but my budget was very tight this year.

[Phil Nelson]

I agree, what have you got to lose by trying to reglue the cabinet? Just a little glue and your time.

Some people use super glue (cyanoacrylate) to glue the breaks, then run a bead of JB Weld epoxy along the inside of the breaks as extra reinforcement. It might be good practice for some time when you have to glue a more valuable cabinet that got broken in transit. Make sure the breaks are super clean before you try gluing.

There are loads of these Motorolas still floating around, so parts may be scrounge-able.

Phil Nelson

[Steve K]

Band:

I dug out the high voltage coil and the cover. The coil is not open but will need to have a new filament wire soldered onto it. The cover is pitted but not bent so it should work. I don't think there was too much difference in the high voltage of these chassis. PM me your address.

Steve