The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The cabinet didn't need to be restored at all, IMHO. You risk to get back an overdone cabinet, possibly painted with wrong materials. For a cabinet in such good conditions, you've been asked prices that are out of this world IMO.

If you're rehauling the springs by yourself, I warmly suggest to avoid weird processes, like doing the work inside a bag, letting the spring go, or hanging the spring to the ceiling etc. All you need is a table that can be cleaned with gasoline when the work is done. Always hold the spring and barrel firmly: you shall control the spring, and not allow the spring to take over. Remember, before attempting to remove the barrel, that the spring shall be fully unwounded with absolutely no force applied to the gears, otherwise you risk to destroy the gears themselves and injury your hands.

There goes the unwinding of the spring. I assume by your nickname that you're a woman. The only thing that I'm not sure a woman could do is to re-engage the spring to the rivet inside the barrel and wind the first turns. In some cases it took all of my strength to do it, and I'm definitely not a wuss. When you plan to reinstall the spring, perhaps you should keep a man "at your fingertips", just in case everything else fails.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:The cabinet didn't need to be restored at all, IMHO. You risk to get back an overdone cabinet, possibly painted with wrong materials. For a cabinet in such good conditions, you've been asked prices that are out of this world IMO.

If you're rehauling the springs by yourself, I warmly suggest to avoid weird processes, like doing the work inside a bag, letting the spring go, or hanging the spring to the ceiling etc. All you need is a table that can be cleaned with gasoline when the work is done. Always hold the spring and barrel firmly: you shall control the spring, and not allow the spring to take over. Remember, before attempting to remove the barrel, that the spring shall be fully unwounded with absolutely no force applied to the gears, otherwise you risk to destroy the gears themselves and injury your hands.

There goes the unwinding of the spring. I assume by your nickname that you're a woman. The only thing that I'm not sure a woman could do is to re-engage the spring to the rivet inside the barrel and wind the first turns. In some cases it took all of my strength to do it, and I'm definitely not a wuss. When you plan to reinstall the spring, perhaps you should keep a man "at your fingertips", just in case everything else fails.

Oh dear embarrassed for you , I know lots of women who change springs !

Marco Gilardetti wrote:The cabinet didn't need to be restored at all, IMHO. You risk to get back an overdone cabinet, possibly painted with wrong materials. For a cabinet in such good conditions, you've been asked prices that are out of this world IMO.

If you're rehauling the springs by yourself, I warmly suggest to avoid weird processes, like doing the work inside a bag, letting the spring go, or hanging the spring to the ceiling etc. All you need is a table that can be cleaned with gasoline when the work is done. Always hold the spring and barrel firmly: you shall control the spring, and not allow the spring to take over. Remember, before attempting to remove the barrel, that the spring shall be fully unwounded with absolutely no force applied to the gears, otherwise you risk to destroy the gears themselves and injury your hands.

There goes the unwinding of the spring. I assume by your nickname that you're a woman. The only thing that I'm not sure a woman could do is to re-engage the spring to the rivet inside the barrel and wind the first turns. In some cases it took all of my strength to do it, and I'm definitely not a wuss. When you plan to reinstall the spring, perhaps you should keep a man "at your fingertips", just in case everything else fails.

And I agree that the case is restorable by anyone , what does wood glue and some clamps cost $50 ?

I really appreciated your comments. Thank you.

I told the restaurateur to only make it stable and strong enough to use it. He only will remove the old glue, saw expanded wood, strengthen the borders with new wood blocks, no paiting nor replacing wood parts etc.

I don't want to have this gramophone as a decoration, I want to use it frequently. In the pictures it doesn't look that bad, but the whole border is loose and wood is shrunk or expanded.

Pre-owners nailed it very unprofessionally.

Just by using it for some days it got worse and wood was breaking. The nails caused the wood to crack and splinter.

For cleaning the spring I ordered cut resistant gloves and my husband will assist me. I will do it in our front yard.

Layla--

I like the attitude to using it frequently. Good plan.

Also, some nice gramophones you have collected!

Indeed it looked more solid than it actually is in the early pictures. I, in turn, approve your plans of using it frequently!

Gloves are a good idea in any case, also to protect your hands/nails from dirt, however you will find out that contrary to common belief the edges of the spring are not sharp and can be handled safely. By the way, remember to wear "work" clothes you don't care about, or an overall: it will definitely be a "dirty" work.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Indeed it looked more solid than it actually is in the early pictures. I, in turn, approve your plans of using it frequently!

Gloves are a good idea in any case, also to protect your hands/nails from dirt, however you will find out that contrary to common belief the edges of the spring are not sharp and can be handled safely. By the way, remember to wear "work" clothes you don't care about, or an overall: it will definitely be a "dirty" work.

No the spring edge isn't sharp per se , BUT I have had leather gloves sliced through when a spring has slipped ! if I hadn't had gloves on that would have been me !

estott wrote:Do not oil the spring that goes around the winding shaft- the friction is what keeps the crank from unwinding. If it has oil or grease on it now do not add more.

I think I touched it with my oiled hands. The crank is unwinding it self. I will try brake cleaner. Any advise?

Layla wrote:

estott wrote:Do not oil the spring that goes around the winding shaft- the friction is what keeps the crank from unwinding. If it has oil or grease on it now do not add more.

I think I touched it with my oiled hands. The crank is unwinding it self. I will try brake cleaner. Any advise?

touching it with your oiled hands won't make this happen ,if the non return spring isn't broken then the shaft has probably worn . this is difficult to rectify

Layla,

When removing the spring, if not already mentioned, add a pair of safety goggles to your list. And a pair for anyone that will be in the vicinity.