I just picked up a T-54 and it is knobless, but the price was right. The pushbuttons are there though. Does anyone know if these were standard knobs that they used on all of their equipment of the same vintage or were they special just for the TV? If they were common then they should be easier to come by. Anyone know of a source for these or happen to have any "extras" laying around? A close-up photo of the correct knobs would be appreciated, especially of the fine tuning knob. <P>Also, my Rider's TV index says that the service info should be in TV Volume 1. It is not in my volume 1. Can anyone verify if it is really supposed to be there? <P>Thanks much,<P>Tim<P>------------------<BR>

I'm familiar with the set (I have two of them), but not as familiar with the rest of the Hallicrafters line. I do think that the knobs were unique to the TV sets. They're not like the knobs on any Hallicrafters radio that I can recall. They were the same on all the 7 inch Hallicrafters TV sets, except that the T-54 knobs were black and the knobs on some of the other models were brown. I have seen an early photograph of what may have been a prototype T-54 set that did actually have the radio knobs installed. I liked the look. Problem is, those knobs may not be easy to come by. There are photographs on the internet if you need to see what they look like. There are good photographs in "Collector's Guide to Vintage Televisions" by Durbal and Bubenjeimer, "Golden Age of Televisions" by Collins, and "Classic TVs" by Wood. I think all those are still in print, and I recommend all of them. I think the T-54's are really cool sets, but the female half of the population tends to think they look too military (yes... but that's the point, isn't it?)<P>I don't have a set of Rider's TV manuals anymore, but I'm sure the set was in one of them. The chassis is the same as (or pretty close to)the T-505 and T-514/T-515, so it may be included under those numbers. I seem to recall that the Riders of that vintage was more accurate than the Sam's. It seemed to be the other way around later on. <P>------------------<BR>

Hi Tim,<BR>I think the T-54 had its own special knobs.<BR>I have some hallicrafters radio gear from around the same period but the knobs are completely different.Although, Delco marketed this television also under their name but it was a T54 chassis . These sets may have used Hallicrafters radio knobs . My T54 has completely smooth round knobs and the fine tuning knob looks just like one of the channel selection p.b's. If I remember correctly the Delco version may have used the Hallicrafters radio type kbobs . These knobs look very similar to a miniature car tire. <P> Yes the service data is in Ryders #1 there are 30 pages on it including many foldouts. Service data is also in Sam's folders #48 and #91.<P> Good Luck,<BR> Mark<P>------------------<BR>

I was missing two knobs on my Halli T-54, and a friend in the Chicago area was also. He got new knobs for himself and for me. I think that they came from Larry Bordonaro; they're that good. <P>------------------<BR>

Thanks for the quick, informative responses folks. I will e-mail Larry and see what he has.<P>Thanks again,<P>Tim<P>------------------<BR>

Well, Larry writes back that he needs a jpeg to see if he has the mould or any knobs. The written description was not enough. Anyone have a close-up shot that I can e-mail him? A diameter would probably be useful as well.<P>Thanks much,<P>Tim<P>------------------<BR>