Category Archives: On the Bench

The Predicta from Heck

ntroducing tonight’s luminaries, including from right to left: The Leaning Tower of Impedance, Electrolytic standing in as vertical feedback capacitor, “Stairway to the Stars” Couplate, and last but not least, Resistor; playing the part of Fuse. The show will certainly be delayed as it appears the Union of Tube Manufacturers has gone on strike.

On the Bench: ’58 Philco Predicta “Barberpole”

Restoration wrap-up on a Philco Predicta Pedestal TV.

On the Bench: ’51 Zenith Porthole “Aldrich”

Rich from New Zealand sent in this beautiful ’51 Zenith Porthole for restoration. Aesthetically gorgeous, and very complete. This model is known as the Aldrich. Upon removing the back cover, first thing that I saw was a brightener attached to the CRT which is usually an ill omen. I hooked up the Beltron to checkContinue reading “On the Bench: ’51 Zenith Porthole “Aldrich””

Two Predictas hot off the bench!

Just finished servicing these two stunning Philco Predictas for Hepcat Restorations. The larger floor model, known colloquially as the “Barber Pole” or “Pedestal” was 98% bone stock and I was impressed that it was working at all with so many original components though with a ‘squeezed’ picture (poor vertical deflection.) After discussing the options, IContinue reading “Two Predictas hot off the bench!”

1946 RCA 621TS 7″ Tabletop TV Issue

The very first commercially available post-WWII consumer television set. Just a peek at the ’46 RCA that’s on the bench. Chassis has been restored and the set has beautiful video but I’m giving a shout out to some other techs for some help with the audio. Once that is fixed everything will be perfect.

On the Bench: The new blonde Philco Predicta!

I just got back from a small group meetup of early TV enthusiasts at a fellow collector’s house in San Jose. Among the featured sets were a pair of pre-WWII 5″ television receivers (VERY rare) and one modern replica of a “color wheel” b&w to color converter. Too cool! I picked up this blonde PredictaContinue reading “On the Bench: The new blonde Philco Predicta!”