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The RCA 10" 630TS and 7" 621TS were the first post war RCA televisions offer by RCA to the consumer. The 630TS selling for $359 was produced in large numbers (around 43,000) from 1946-48, making it the world's first mass produced television. It is considered an antique because of its historical significance, setting the the TV standard and bringing TV into human daily culture. RCA also provided the design royalty free to promote this significant technology which was done successfully, forever changing our lifestyle. The 630TS promoted some important technology advances that are still in use today. Electromagnetic deflection, high frequency switching power supply, multi subcarrier data transfer, fm audio transmission and reception and electronic frame and interlace scanning are some of the key technical achievements found in the model. TV sets made up to 1948 are highly collectible because they have a spot for channel 1. The FCC removed it from commercial television.
Bought this set on Ebay (October 2016) from a collector in San Diego, who worked for KFMB (CBS Channel 8). Drove down to San Diego to pick it up. The picture tube was replaced long time ago with a 10FP4 which is a 10BP4 with aluminized screen and has no need for ion trap. The picture tube tested very strong on my B+K CRT tester/rejuvenator (big sigh of relief) and the cabinet was in very good condition.
HALF THE BATTLE Picture Tube Test Good
The Restoration Timeline
Purchased: October 27, 2016 (Ebay $175)
Restoration began: August 28, 2017
Cabinet Restoration completed: October 10, 2017
Chassis Restoration completed: November 13, 2017
TV Check Out completed: November 16, 2017
Restoration completed: November 19, 2017
Final Adjustments completed: November 24, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. RCA 630 TS Cabinet Restoration: BELOW
2. RCA 630TS Electronic Restoration Page: RCA 630TS TV E RESTORE
3. RCA 630TS TV Checkout Page: RCA 630TS TV Checkout
4. RCA 630TS TV Final Assembly Page: RCA 630TS FINAL ASSY
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Part 1 CABINET RESTORATION
Unlike later model tv sets, the 630TS to remove the set from the cabinet, requires removal of the 10BP4 (10FP4) picture tube, then removal of the 60 pound chassis before access to the cabinet could be done. I decided to do the cabinet first and the electronics last.
After final sanding (320 grit paper) needed to choose the right stain color and try on a test area. Refinishing method is different than in the past, due to the limited availability of wood tone lacquers. The standard way is to stain if needed and then use a polyurethane or acrylic finisher. Since the veneer is walnut rather than the more popular mohogany at the time, I needed to try a more brownish stain, but not enough to make the veneer look too dark. I decided to try golden oak stain on the cabinet removable top as a test area.
Now that I found the color I think closely matches the original tone, it was time to check the bottom of the cabinet.
When restoring cabinets the bottom is often neglected because it is not seen. However on sets like these, the bottom is important as it supports the chassis and the rest of the cabinet that is seen. So I took some time to freshen it up and repair any damage.
This what the set looked looked before restoration. As you can see it everything is still there and looks pretty good. The finish is original. The set weighs about 80 pounds and it was a chore to get it in and out of the car. I worried about the set during the 100 mile trip from San Diego to Orange County, CA.
I was very fortunate this set had minimal cabinet and veneer damage and still has the original back on it. Often they are removed to help ventilate the set making them less prone to failure. Early tube tvs can get pretty warm.
Stripping the old finish was easy with paint stripper. After stripping and a wet steel wool rubbing, and wash down this particular set is in a walnut finish.
After several levels of careful sanding to avoid destroying the veneer, the cabinet was inspected for any damaged veneer. This was a well stored set and the damage was limited to the rear of the cabinet and one spot on the front panel. I saved leftover veneer from other restorations as was able to cut and fit them into the damaged spots. Hopefully after staining the tone won't be too far off.
The next photo shows the bottom after making all the needed repairs and then vigorously sanding to level the surface. The bottom will be primed and then brushed painted with a left over mocha brown paint.
Completed bottom. New rubber feet will be installed next. The big holes in the bottom need to have screens (screws were there) over them to provide ventilation and shock hazard. Will install when the set is working.
Next I decided to paint the edges and speaker trim with the dark walnut paint/primer like the bottom. This color after testing closely matches the mocha tone lacquer that was used on the original finish.
The Rest of the unstained areas were lightly sanded with 320 grit paper and the wood was stained with golden oak stain.
The entire cabinet was sprayed with semi gloss polyurethane finish, then lightly sanded and another coat sprayed on. Up three coats were applied. After several days of drying it was time to do the detailing work consisting of decal application and polishing the brass trim that supports the safety glass.
The original speaker grille was damaged over the years and no reproduction was available. The best I could come up with is to find a reproduction that has a similar color and texture as the original.
The escutcheon has the right section tarnished through years of exposure to the elements. Some of the channel numbers were worned off and needed to be restored. I needed to carefully buff out the tarnished areas of brass, put new numbers on then apply sealer to stop the degradation.
After final sanding, the areas that needed to be masked off was done using the green Frog Tape and newspaper.
After two coats of paint/primer were sprayed on, the masked ares are removed and this is what the cabinet looks like at this point. After this the side top and bottom trims were done after the front part had sufficiently dried.
I had some letter transfers I bought years ago for another project. It came in handy again
ALL FINISHED
After all the cabinet hardware is carefully inspected and mounted back on I am done with the cabinet. I left the walnut escutcheon (fits around the picture tube) original, because it was in good shape, but may refinish in the future.This is the Walnut Finished Version. Waiting for the Chassis and Picture Tube
SIDE
FRONT
Return to Restoration Home Page: RESTORE HOME
Go to RCA 630TS Electronic Restoration Page: RCA 630TS TV E RESTORE
Go to RCA 630TS TV Checkout Page: RCA 630TS TV Checkout
Go to RCA 630TS TV Final Assembly Page: RCA 630TS FINAL ASSY
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