UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Vintage Television and Video

Notices

Vintage Television and Video Vintage television and video equipment, programmes, VCRs etc.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 17th Dec 2018, 11:42 am   #1
scott73
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 6
Default ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

I picked up a View Master Big Picture 1950's TV yesterday and wanted to find out some information on it as google seems to not have any information. It's got some paperwork with it and looks like it was sold as build it yourself kit.

Have not tried plugging it in yet..

Any idea on what it worth?

If its not working is it worth getting it working.

Thanks
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20jsmed.jpg
Views:	271
Size:	67.3 KB
ID:	174799   Click image for larger version

Name:	29mmv5e.jpg
Views:	266
Size:	56.5 KB
ID:	174800   Click image for larger version

Name:	35047ps.jpg
Views:	236
Size:	88.5 KB
ID:	174801  
scott73 is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 12:00 pm   #2
Peter.N.
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 3,601
Default Re: View Master Big Picture 1950's TV

I think it was a DIY contructed set from Wireless world. One of my school teachers built one. That would have been in the early '50s

Peter
Peter.N. is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 12:58 pm   #3
chriswood1900
Octode
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 1,475
Default Re: View Master Big Picture 1950's TV

This is it I think
https://www.americanradiohistory.com...2viewmaster%22
and more snippets here.
https://www.americanradiohistory.com...2viewmaster%22

Chris
chriswood1900 is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 1:36 pm   #4
FERNSEH
Dekatron
 
FERNSEH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: View Master Big Picture 1950's TV

The console version of the ViewMaster is very rare. Very clever circuit design which delivers excellent performance. Well worth restoring.

Link to my ViewMaster restoration.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=118197

DFWB.
FERNSEH is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 2:05 pm   #5
dave walsh
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex.
Posts: 5,814
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Fernesh is one of our experts Scott. Don't plug it in if you've no experience that's the first rule. Things can go badly wrong that would create serious damage Rarity doesn't always equate with high value so you would have to test that on the market. I'm not sure there are many comparators for a kit TV [as opposed to commercial models] but others may disagree.

Restoration would not be cheap, so selling it [untouched] in relatively good condition might turn out to be your best option.

Dave W
dave walsh is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 3:57 pm   #6
scott73
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 6
Default

Thanks you all for your replies, I guess it might be worth someone else having a go at getting it working, but still not sure how I would go about selling it and if so how much. What would you say was a rough ball park figure for it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
The console version of the ViewMaster is very rare. Very clever circuit design which delivers excellent performance. Well worth restoring.
Is the one I have the console version? ��
scott73 is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 7:38 pm   #7
Graham G3ZVT
Dekatron
 
Graham G3ZVT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,676
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Indeed it is (floor standing vs. table model),
and about in as good "as found" condition as you could hope for.
__________________
--
Graham.
G3ZVT
Graham G3ZVT is online now  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 7:40 pm   #8
Edward Huggins
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Yes, yours is the Console version. As to value, it's an esoteric piece and was made from a Kit. It's gong yo be a long haul to get this working and is only of value to someone who wants to fully restore it without any real expectation of pecuniary gain.
__________________
Edward.
Edward Huggins is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 7:48 pm   #9
Graham G3ZVT
Dekatron
 
Graham G3ZVT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,676
Default Re: View Master Big Picture 1950's TV

Quote:
Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
The console version of the ViewMaster is very rare. Very clever circuit design which delivers excellent performance. Well worth restoring.

Link to my ViewMaster restoration.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=118197

DFWB.
I see Scott's example sports a Cyldon tuner. Would that have been a later addition by its owner?
__________________
--
Graham.
G3ZVT
Graham G3ZVT is online now  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 8:17 pm   #10
scott73
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 6
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

I also got this lot with the TV
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2qki3yh.jpg
Views:	279
Size:	176.1 KB
ID:	174802   Click image for larger version

Name:	104f02t.jpg
Views:	256
Size:	153.7 KB
ID:	174804  
scott73 is offline  
Old 17th Dec 2018, 10:56 pm   #11
FERNSEH
Dekatron
 
FERNSEH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

The console Viewmaster employs similar chassis assemblies as the table model except that instead of the two units being placed side by side as in the table set the two units are positioned one above the other. See second attachment.

I read in the Practical Television magazine that a Band 3 conversion kit was made available for the ViewMaster.

The attachment shows the cover page of the construction manual for the console cabinet ViewMaster TV.

DFWB.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	VM1_2.jpg
Views:	141
Size:	102.9 KB
ID:	174813   Click image for larger version

Name:	Viewmaster_chassis..jpg
Views:	126
Size:	90.4 KB
ID:	174814  
FERNSEH is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 8:01 am   #12
Catkins
Pentode
 
Catkins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chepstow, Monmouthshire, UK.
Posts: 234
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Quote:
Originally Posted by scott73 View Post
I also got this lot with the TV
The first photograph looks to me to be something out of old telly, but what is the question. It certainly has an aerial input and RF stage, and presumably IF amplifiers (if a superhet). The vintage of the valves suggest late 40s/early 50s, but, it could be much later if it's a home build.

The second photograph is a typical set of components a home constructor might have. Valves are generally of a late 40s/50s vintage. You also have a focus coil, possibly an audio output transformer, two metal rectifiers, and a lopt with EHT rectifier. You also have a CRT boost transformer for when the CRT emission got low.

Someone may be interested in them, but they probably won't fetch much.
Catkins is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 8:06 am   #13
scott73
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 6
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

This is why forums are great, you guys have wealth of knowledge and have been very informative, thank you.
scott73 is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 11:18 am   #14
FERNSEH
Dekatron
 
FERNSEH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Reference to post No.10.
The first picture shows a ViewMaster RF unit with what appears to be a pre-amplifier attached to it.
With regard to the set under discussion. It's most likely the RF unit has been realigned to BREMA IF frequencies for the Cyldon turret tuner. Assuming that the set was originally made for AP frequencies it was an easy matter to realign the sound to 38mc/s and with the addition of small value capacitors added across the vision RF coils these were retuned to 34mc/s.

In order that an incremental switch tuner could be fitted in HMV models 1805 and 1806 the EMI service department realigned the TRF deck to 34mc/s vision and 38mc/s sound.

DFWB.

Last edited by FERNSEH; 18th Dec 2018 at 11:28 am.
FERNSEH is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 3:56 pm   #15
llama
Octode
 
llama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,482
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

I can't see the RF chassis in the original pictures.
However, assuming it is there but hidden by the upper chassis, my guess is that the seller had bought a second ViewMaster and stripped it for spare parts - the job-lot pictured in Post No. 10.
My Dad's ViewMaster was tuned to the Midlands BBC channel (Sutton Coldfield?). When ITV came along he added an REP Band III converter but we were never completely free from BBC breakthrough. Apart from that it worked well until it didn't...
Graham
__________________
Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!
llama is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 5:01 pm   #16
mark pirate
Dekatron
 
mark pirate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Posts: 5,185
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Quote:
my guess is that the seller had bought a second ViewMaster and stripped it for spare parts - the job-lot pictured in Post No. 10.
My thoughts are that these were removed from the set when it was updated.
It may have had a smaller CRT when first built, then fitted to the console cabinet with a larger CRT.

The Clydon tuner was probably fitted in the mid 50's when ITV started.
I expect it had a long service life, It would be interesting to note what tube is fitted to the set.

Mark
mark pirate is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 5:42 pm   #17
Graham G3ZVT
Dekatron
 
Graham G3ZVT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,676
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Quote:
Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
In order that an incremental switch tuner could be fitted in HMV models 1805 and 1806 the EMI service department realigned the TRF deck to 34mc/s vision and 38mc/s sound.
I am fascinated by the mention of the 1805, as that was our first TV. Ours always remained BBC only, ITV arrived with our second set, an HMV1871 which was an extremely reliable set and was in use occasionally well into the 1980s
__________________
--
Graham.
G3ZVT
Graham G3ZVT is online now  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 6:03 pm   #18
FERNSEH
Dekatron
 
FERNSEH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

On the console sets the RF unit is fitted under the timebase chassis.
I believe all the console cabinets were designed only for the chassis with a 12" round faceplate CRT.
The circuit design permitted the fitment of CRTs from various manufactures, Mazda, Ferranti and GEC triode gun tubes and also Mullard tetrode gun CRTs.
The mains transformer has a separate winding for the CRT heater which can supply 2, 4 and 6.3volts. The reason for the isolated heater winding was to permit a direct connection between the anode of the EF50 video amplifier and the cathode of the CRT. The video DC component is maintained from the vision detector to the CRT. One of the reasons why the ViewMaster TV displayed an excellent picture, another being the careful design of the vision RF circuits.

DFWB.
FERNSEH is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 9:20 pm   #19
Heatercathodeshort
Dekatron
 
Heatercathodeshort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING.
Posts: 9,145
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Two excellent receivers there Graham. The 1805/6 was probably the best EMI chassis produced at Hayes. Models produced after 1950 had a dubious reputation and in 1956 EMI decided to pass television production to Thorn [Ferguson]

The 1871 [1958] was actually a Ferguson 406T series, I think the 21" version.

The Viewmaster should be an easy rebuild if it has been built correctly. Very reliable with results as good if not better than top makers of the time.

Not a lot of value unless you are gaggin for one. Regards, John.
Heatercathodeshort is offline  
Old 18th Dec 2018, 10:16 pm   #20
1100 man
Octode
 
1100 man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, & Great Dunmow, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,377
Default Re: ViewMaster Big Picture 1950's TV

Quote:
The Viewmaster should be an easy rebuild if it has been built correctly. Very reliable with results as good if not better than top makers of the time.

Not a lot of value unless you are gaggin for one.
Well, for anyone that is 'gaggin' for one, it would seem it has now appeared on Ebay. Hopefully, a forum member might be tempted to take it on and then we can all follow the restoration! I must say, the chassis's look to be in very good condition- they look rust free! It would make an interesting project.

All the best
Nick
1100 man is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:18 pm.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.