Magnavox 4SC242 Tube Portable Stereo

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I bought this late Fall 2022.
Bill told me it is the Holiday model.

I believe this is another Maggie portable that you
have to pull the speaker baffle off from the front
to access removal of the R600 Micromatic changer.

I see 3 screws on the top chrome trim on the front.

If anyone knows for sure, please comment.

I have to move some of these hi-fi gals out of the
garage, since we're in for at least 4 days of 100+
degree heat.

I'm removing the changers first, as it makes it easier
on my sore back !

[electra225]

My Magnavox record player has a screw in the bottom, near the middle of the cabinet. It is a screw with a trim washer. That one you posted has a screw, but not the right one, and no trim ring. That looks like a Tolex project. Good luck with the project!

[William]

I always carefully start taking things apart until I get where I want to go. There is usually one or two hidden screws that mess me up, but I never try and force something figuring I'm missing something somewhere.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Greg,
I did see that bottom screw, thanks for the mention.

I pulled the tubes: 2 x 50EH5, 1 x 12AX7.

I'm pretty sure this amp is 80-01-00, or 80-02-00.

I'll find out when I start the dis-assembly tomorrow.

Bill,
That's of course, good advice.
I've learned to NEVER start without a ziplok baggie
nearby !!
And the camera.

[William]

Good luck, Mr. Mogul, I'm sure you will have fun especially considering what you just went thru with the Zenith.

Bill

[electra225]

I was sincerely impressed with the performance of the one I have. Mine has a VM changer. Yours must be a year or two newer than mine. Mine is a 1958 model.

Yours is also stereo. That one should sound even nicer than the one I have. I hope you get it so it will change 45's like the VM changer does. Those little sets are Magnavox to the bone.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I had originally bought this one to use the Micromatic
changer as a sub for that recalcitrant older Collaro in the
New Horizon consolette.

Upon arrival, I just couldn't do that to it.

Then I found a nice Micromatic for a good price.
I serviced that Micromatic and it works well, and I need to start on the amp
for the New Horizon.

Greg, I really don't think I want to do a Tolex job on this one.
I'm going to get it sonically/mechanically great, then
promote it as having "vintage hi-fi character from graceful aging."

[TC Chris]

Yay for rescuing an orphan!

Chris Campbell

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I dove into the Magnavox yesterday, and got the
speaker baffle/amp board off.

The amp chassis looks like a flocked X-mas tree.
Lots of oxidation going on.

The wood screws on the trim bar at the top of the
cabinet were very difficult to remove.

The left front cabinet joint was loose, and I'll have
to look at how to shore it all back up.

The R600 Custom Micromatic mech looks pretty clean.

I was reminded on how difficult it is to reach to the
rear of the cabinet to try to flip up that one last
retainer clip on the back shipping bolt of the changer.

I know she feels better inside with some A/C.

[electra225]

The rear hold down for the changer is a real bear to get to. Plus, if the screws for the cabinet feet are a nudge too long, you can get your arms dug up on the sharp tip on the screw. The white stuff on the chassis will come right off and not return if you wipe it gently with PB Blaster. I think the plan was for the service man to move the front hold down so it would come up, then tilt the changer so you could get to the back one. In the intervening 60 years, the rubber sleeves around the hold down bolts have turned to stone so they won't give enough to work it that way. You have to reach your arm far enough under the changer to free the rear one.

[William]

It looks good so far, Mr. Mogul. Is that a 6" speaker?

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I noticed that the idler wheel on the Micromatic is dry and
crumbling. I'm hoping that the drive wheel is still good.
No matter.

Bill,
This one like its earlier 1960, 61 models has 8 inch woofers with
a coax tweeter.


Greg,
The odd thing is that the third rubber spacer was not on the
rear shipping bolt.
It was not in the cabinet bottom either.

So, I'm thinking someone was inside this player at some time.

What exactly is PB Blaster, and which one do you use ?
I see there are several products in that line.

[electra225]

The kind of PB Blaster I use is the regular old kind, not a special type. I spritz it on a microfiber cloth then rub that onto the chassis. I want it just damp enough to leave a film on the metal, not damp enough to run or make a mess. It takes that white cad dust off the chassis without making it airborne. You can add a bit of elbow grease and sort of polish the metal while you are at it. Let that stand a few minutes, then wipe with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any dampness. I have found that this does not attract dust and the white stuff doesn't come back. I did the Concert Grand chassis in 2014. It's still like it was when I did it. PB Blaster also works well in tube sockets and on other connections were the cad dust has migrated and can cause a bad connection.

My Magnavox player has a VM changer. There are rubber sleeves that go into the holes where the mounting bolts go. The idea is so they not only absorb certain vibrations, but they also are supposed to "give" so you can lift one edge of the changer up and release the rear bolt. Mine had turned to concrete, so I broke them out and cut some PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) hose for fuel injected cars, about a half inch in diameter. A bit heavier than vacuum hose, not as thick as fuel hose. I glued one side of the sleeve into the plinth, leaving the other side so it would give when trying to remove the changer. The plinth is 5/16 or so thick, so I cut the sleeves about a half inch long. The VM changer doesn't use the horizontal thick rubber spacers like a Collaro does between the plinth and the retainer on the bolt.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Greg,
Is this the product ?
It says it is the original penetrant.

https://blasterproducts.com/product/pb- ... penetrant/

[William]

I'm not Greg, but the stuff in the first photo on the site is the correct stuff. It works well on just about everything even vintage electronics chassis.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I'm not Greg, but the stuff in the first photo on the site is the correct stuff. It works well on just about everything even vintage electronics chassis.
Bill

Hi Bill,
I purchased a can this AM.

It has some heavy chemicals like naphtha,
so I'll have to wait until temps are down to the 90's,
so I can use it outside.

[electra225]

I buy PB Blaster at Home Depot. I use it on everything except controls. WD-40 works best on controls after using contact cleaner. I used it on cars when working with power windows and seat controls. I used it on the CG chassis because it was handy. Sometimes, you find things that work well by accident.