GE console project

[radex7]

I want this one to be my "sleeper" console project. First - its background. I was on my way back after meeting a guy who for a few bucks gave me a couple of defunct automotive testing pieces, which I only got because the parts looked promising. Right before hitting the highway I see this drab looking thing on somebody's lawn. Sign says "FREE, it worked a while ago". Well, I thought it had a potential, I was little bummed out because it must have been there during the rain the day before, or even longer... But I grabbed it anyway.

Cabinet has only one extremely faded label stating that it was made by WJW for General Electric. Veneer on the inside seemed to be mahogany. Why the exterior was green - I had no idea.

After poking around a bit I discovered the following:

Old General Electric turntable, model 210-6.

Woofer and tweeter setup in stereo.

Powered by what appeared a re-capped solid state amp.

The amp pcb was broken and dangling on one side, so I had my hunch as to why it wasn't working anymore... Well, with some crazy glue (the pcb is surprisingly thick) I put it back together. Then using a dremel I ground down to expose cracked traces, which I later bridged with soldering iron.

Then I did the one thing you guys keep repeating we should not be doing - I powered it ON!!!
And it worked!!! So I picked the the worse quality vinyl from my still small collection, put it on, and armed with a screwdriver proceeded to removing everything that was affected by the rain and already had some mold issue.

Currently I am working on sanding everything down, and debating what to do with the warped top. It seems to be poplar with mahogany veneer.

I like this console due to its size, its simplicity, but I also see the potential for something cooler, and since I want to get into tubes - that is what I am planning for.

 

[ThomasB98908]

Please keep us informed on ths project with plenty of pix. That could turn into a beautiful item when you are done. I remember my Mom having something like that when I was a little kid. Of course, mostly she played Lawerence Welk and Frank Sinatra <G>.

 

[radex7]

Thanks! So far I have been doing a little bit of sanding, and I think it is coming along.

 

[Rome]

Fine project you have there!

Rome

 

[dumptruckz36]

just the sanding looks to have made a large improvement. good luck!

 

[4Play]

Nice looking console. It will be a piece worth fixing when you're done. So, what are your plans, restore back to original or go retro ( replacing old gear with modern)? Either way, you have a nice project to work on.

 

[radex7]

Thanks! The original wasn't bad, but I think I want this unit to host my first tube experiment as well. But that is still at the idea stage. Framework and speaker panels will stay where they are, but I was considering re-purposing the middle section for either vinyl storage, or couple of shelves for for tube phono stage/amp. Hey, I am open to suggestions too!

 

[radex7]

Well, things are moving along! I pretty much took the whole darn thing apart. It was bit wobbly, so might as well, it helps in sanding tremendously! I was considering re-veneering the sides and front wide panel with maple to make it a two-tone piece. Instead, cheap ole' me, I decided that I will invest in the top ONLY. So today, I spent some time on more sanding, glueing in dowels in screw holes, and splicing veneer where it was missing, using veneer that was already peeling off from the top lid. Did I say cheap?

 

[Sillver79]

My Philips small console

nice unit here is what i did my mine, i'm still working on the turntable is doesn't keep its speed.

 

[radex7]

So glueing is coming along. But it is wet and cold so it might be a good time to do something different...

I would like to use the existing circuitry to accept Auxilary input. But I am unsure how to provide the power to the board itself as the transformer is integrated with the turntable motor. Just like this one here:

Photo credit: Snade

I am assuming I should find a right transformer and wire it in somewhere else with a switch and a fuse.

Am I on the right track?

 

[radex7]

Project update.

Sanding never stops...
Almost figured out the finish I am going to use. Since I will not be putting any fresh veneer, the two-tone is out of the question. Instead I am going with deep burgundy. Also, I made a control panel raiser, so I can utilize the space between the speakers.

One more thing, look what I found on the auction site! I so want this radio!!!

 

[Sillver79]

very nice work, i have to repair my turntable on the philips it doesn't keep its speed