Green Ray Television restoration

[moonriver]

I can't believe you turned that around so fast! Really great job.
I can see a new conservator business opportunity?

[tim575]

I know better than trying that as a job. Guys (or Gals) that restore machines end up spending more on replacement parts and service than the machine would sell for, and end up working for pennies per hour labor. Same for cars or old arcade machines

I prefer that someone else already put the long hours in before I buy a machine, but on the other hand, even worse is getting one that had some poor restoration attempt on it without saving the old/replaced parts. Then I have to start by undoing all the improper restorations.

I am doing minimal restoration on this to restore function and bring back to original configuration, but trying whenever possible to salvage anything original, so it won't be one of those looks like new over the top restorations. Of the several Green Rays I have seen photos of, there is a lot of variation on cabinet art/paint, and internal mechanics (lights mostly), which I am sure happened as operators keep them going or tried to refurbish them.

[bryans fan]

I am doing minimal restoration on this to restore function and bring back to original configuration, but trying whenever possible to salvage anything original, so it won't be one of those looks like new over the top restorations. Of the several Green Rays I have seen photos of, there is a lot of variation on cabinet art/paint, and internal mechanics (lights mostly), which I am sure happened as operators keep them going or tried to refurbish them.

Absolutely the right approach in my opinion.

[special when lit]

Loving this resto. Keep the updates coming.

[treefrog]

What a great machine, only seen non working versions at auction. Love the sounds, certainly has an impact

[13rebel]

A very skilled, well thought out sympathetic restoration.

[pennymachines]

Excellent work and admirable approach.

...a lot of variation on cabinet art/paint, and internal mechanics (lights mostly)...

I believe (judging from several unrestored examples I've seen) a single Osglim Beehive neon lamp was amongst the three upper bulbs fitted as standard by Bradshaw. They pop up on eBay every so often, ranging in price from about £25 - 75.

[tim575]

I have not yet found a 120V Beehive Neon, but I did have a 3W NE-40 lamp which I am using in the meantime. I used hot air and glass sheets to flatten the 4 warped instruction plastics and stabilized them on acid free matt board, and etched back out the center instruction plaque to say 'ONE PENNY' instead of 'QUARTER'. Remaining now are just the 2 side silkscreen glass panels and new thick fortune cards.

[brigham]

I've never seen one with screen-printed side panels.
They are usually creased paper posters behind glass, usually with evidence of damp.

[bryans fan]