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Hello again folks! My rather infrequent visits to this excellent website show me what I have been missing-I really ought to look in more often.
I recently finished the renovation of the "tin" gramophone, a Pathé of 1915 date, shown in the British catalogue of that year. An ALL METAL MACHINE,and heavy. It was missing various parts, and the motor was broken when I first got it. I think it weighs 28lb-it certainly feels it when I carry it around the house! I have just worked out how much I have spent on "doing it up", and it comes to approximately £138 in English money. I have played it a few times, and it is quite good, but could do with more volume. Carlos has very kindly supplied me with some important parts, and also advice and photographs. Others have also supplied advice and pictures from catalogues of the period. My thanks go to Paul Bake and my old chum, Roger Mackey. The finished job is not very good, but adequate, considering it must have been dropped from a 20 storey window, years ago, with all the dents etc. in it, and left to rust in a Turkish Baths! Thankfully the wood grain effect that I have done,(not the same as the original), has hidden some of the bumps. This is my first venture with a Pathé gramophone. I took on the challenge, as it was the last gramophone that "The Gramophone Man"(Philip Knighton), wanted to complete after he retired, but sadly that was not to be, as he died in February 2016. So I took on the job, and I am glad I did.

That's a beautiful job! I have the "portable" version of that same machine, US badged, in a huge heavy trunk-like case.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 1&p=173352

I remember seeing your original pictures of this machine and thought - good luck, it's a goner... since it looked like you fished it from the bottom of a lake. But you have proved me wrong and done a wonderful restoration on this unusual machine. Congratulations

Indeed a masterful job, looks better than the original painting! Congratulations!

My gosh it sure took a lot of patience to rehaul that "lemon"!!! Your faux-veneer painting might perhaps not be like the original as you write, but it's an impressive job nonetheless, it looks absolutely wonderful. You really brought it back to life, what a wonderful job!

Really lovely, a real credit to you Alastair! Amazing too that you were able to keep the cost down so low (discounting the many hours it must have taken).

Alastair and I live only 10 miles apart, and I have followed the progress of this restoration with great interest. Taking it on was a brave decision for all the right reasons.
The machine looks every bit as good "in the metal" as it does in the pictures. Our mutual and much missed friend the late Philip Knighton would have been proud of it.

Roger.

THANK YOU ALL for your kind words regarding my "doing up" of the tin Pathé machine. I forgot to mention that I chose enamel paints for the paintwork, after the whole machine had been shot blasted with "used" grit, so as not to be too invasive on the metalwork. It was de-rusted then sprayed in a "zinc cote" metallic undercoat, which also helped to cover some of the minor blemishes.
The only item on the gramophone that still does not function properly is the "quick start device", as the return spring on the motor spindle is very tight, and I have not been able to release it.

Great job... Thanks for showing it. I have never seen a all metal machine that size. Just me...Tom