I picked this up today for free. A former co worker approached me several months ago with it. It was left over in the old farm house that he had bought several yrs ago, and he was thinking of putting a flat screen in the cabinet. I told him I had an empty Zenith cabinet and would gladly give it to him to save that Truetone. He said he would have to think about it. Today, I rode to his house and asked him again, and he was all ready to trade.

Unfortunately, he had been using the Tv as a table to set a fish tank on, and I can see the damage to the finnish on the top. The good news is I put the CRT checker on, and it checks great. However, I can't find a model # to match anythng in my Sams index. On the back, I see a number that says 21AM56 D, Does anyone recognize this model, so I can see about locating a Sams for it?

Thanks
Doug

You forgot to take off the Lens Cap!

Maybe this will help.

Thanks Eric. Actually, my living room is kind of dark, and that's where I put the set. I've just gotten it out of the cabinet and onto the dining room table. The front of the CRT is covered in dirt that has run down. Time to get out the Spray 9. Here's 3 more pics of the chasis. I think the chasis should clean up pretty nicely though. Still haven't ben able to locate any model # though.
Doug

I've gotten the tubes all checked and wiped off. A few are questionable and the 6BQ6 horiz output checks bad. There seems to be a good deal of surface rust on top of the chasis. I wiped the top off with Spray 9 and used some sand paper on the tube shields to clean them up. I do want to address that rust though which can be seen in the pic. Upon turning the set on it's side, underneath looks clean; hopesully just a simple recap. I did notice one thing though: the coil in the pic has a broken lead just hanging there. I'll have to see which terminal on the coil it goes to and solder it back on.

I've seen worse chassis, heck I've fixed worse!

How about the CRT, I see the base cap is in pretty bad shape, are the wires OK, and the evacuation nipple?
The base might just fall off which would make replacing it a lot easier, gotta be real careful with the wires though, sometimes they break if you look at them wrong.

I'd use Naval Jelly on the rust, just throw the tube shield in a jar with a 50-50 mix and let them soak.

For the chassis apply it with a small Flux Brush and let it soak, my choice would be to hose it off with the Hose and hot water but you can also wipe it off with paper towels.

I've washed many chassis with the hose and soapy water and had no problems, just remove any paper labels, Cap covers and avoid the Power Transformer.

I have washed Flybacks this way too but it depends on what condition they are in to start, good wax is important and a long period of drying, preferably stick the chassis in the oven at 150-180 for an hour or so while watching it carefully for hot spots.

Eric, thanks for the advice. I think I've got some navel jelley in the garage. If not, I'll get some.

That CRT cap was one of the 1st thinks I noticed even when I looked at the set. That man I got it from had the back off of the set because he was storing fish tank supplies inside the cabinet. I super glued it back in place but wasn't too happy with it. I've just put some JB Weld on it and will let it set all day.

I cleaned the cabinet last night with Scotch Liquid Gold, and the front and sides came out nicely. Too bad there was water damage on the top, but the top looks much better than it did.

I've got to order replacement filters and most of the replacement caps. I did check, and the filters are just leaky, not shorted. I decided to try a slow power up on the Variac. When I got to 110V I had no signs of life except lit tubes, so there's no need to ty it again until I get those things replaced. At least I know nothing is shorted.
Doug

First Results: I've got all but 4 of the old Tiny Chief molded caps replaced. The new filters are on order from Just Radios. I was able to temporarily replace one filter until the correct one arrived. Tonight I got my 1st results on the screen: No horiz or vertical sync yet and no sound. The right side of the screen is brighter than the left side, buit I plan on some big improvements once my new filters arrive.

Doug

That is awesome! Looks like the CRT is in very good shape!

Thanks Eric,

While I wait for the filters to come in, I'll start checking the resistors in the horiz section. I checked on Ebay to see what was listed under Sams folders for Truetones of that era hoping I could find one that resembles my set. I still can't find a mdel # on it. I took a chance and ordered one from 1955. I'll see when it comes in if I've wasted $8 or not.
Doug

Is there a tube chart? If so post a good pix of it and ill look through the sams and see if I can find it. Need more than just the year. A crt number would be a start. What sams number did you buy. I can look and sEe if its close.
There are only 39 sams folders for 1955 so it should be fairly easy to find

That does not look like a 1955 set. More like 1952.
Bet it's a 17BP4.
Bill Cahill

Hmmmmmmmm...........?

I PDFed enough to get you started, shoot me your email and ill send it over. Its 3mb

Shang06, You have foud it exactly. My tube chart on the HV cage is dirty and woul;d not take a good pic. However, I compared the tubes to what was in that Sams you posted, and that is it. I've been looking under Truetone, which is what is on the front of the cabinet. But that model # on my set , 21AM56D, is almost exact. I'll PM you with my email address. Thanks a bunch.
Doug

You could try experimenting with a close matching stain over the damaged areas of the cabinet top, or just put a doily over it. It looks like another nice set. Keep us informed.

You know, I was thinking along the same lines today at work. The sides are in good shape , but I think a good coat of clear finnish would enhance them. When I get ready to do the cosmetic work. I'll see what Lowes has in the way of a matching stain and see what I can do on the top.

Like I said earlier, the previous owner used to set a fish tank on top of this set. He had the back off of it and stored the fish food and supples inside the cabinet. I think that's how the cap on my CRT got knocked loose: the set had no back on it for protection.

I just finnished replacing the mica caps in the horizontal section, and I now have somewhat of a watchable pic. Vertical hold is one way sync. Still waiting on my filters to come in from Just Radios, so until they do, I don't expect too much improvement. I'm hoping they will be in tomorrow. No audio yet, but 2 of the filters are in the audio sectiopn, so I hope that's the problem.

Doug

Looking better!
That is an interesting image. Almost like the ion trap needs to be adjusted. All shifted and bright on the right side of the set. Caps can cause some weird issues

Hello Doug,
looking good keep up the work I want to get started on one of my tv's

The only molded caps I havent replaced are about four .0047s, and that is because I am out of them. I've got a new batch coming with my filters. That weird image of the screen being dark on then left side concerns me. but I want to wait uitil I finnish the recap and see if that clears it up. If not, I'll try adjusting the ion trap I plan on getting some Navel Jelly today so I can start addrsiing the rust on the chasis next week.
Doug