Le Bengali intermediaire restoration
Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 6:28 am
Hi,
I've been asked to restore this "Bengali intermediaire" reproducer. It needs a new stylus and a swivelling connector. I also suspected that the cork/pressed wood ring attaching the diaphragm was not original. I did some research and managed to have a picture of a complete one to have a reference. The owner told me that he was almost sure that instead of a spider it must had a dome mounted stylus. I started by analyzing the ebonite to look for cracks and I found 3 problematic areas around the perimeter. Fearing that I could end with multiple pieces I decided to remove only the external ring that holds the diaphragm. I then started doing the ring. And after tons of swarf it ended like this: Its a light press fit to avoid putting pressure on the cracks. I might cheat a little bit and glue it with shellac after plating it. Then I attacked the connector. The body was the first piece I turned. Again, as the collar had a small crack I opted to do a very light press fit and I will glue it. I notice that the connector is at a slight angle downwards and not straight like the Pathé. I will post a picture of it when its finished.
Last thing I did was the swivelling ring. I did 2 just because I had enough tube. And that's all for this week end.
I still need to do:
Connector external ring
Vertical shaft
Stylus holder
Put it all together
Nickel plating
Stay tuned!
I've been asked to restore this "Bengali intermediaire" reproducer. It needs a new stylus and a swivelling connector. I also suspected that the cork/pressed wood ring attaching the diaphragm was not original. I did some research and managed to have a picture of a complete one to have a reference. The owner told me that he was almost sure that instead of a spider it must had a dome mounted stylus. I started by analyzing the ebonite to look for cracks and I found 3 problematic areas around the perimeter. Fearing that I could end with multiple pieces I decided to remove only the external ring that holds the diaphragm. I then started doing the ring. And after tons of swarf it ended like this: Its a light press fit to avoid putting pressure on the cracks. I might cheat a little bit and glue it with shellac after plating it. Then I attacked the connector. The body was the first piece I turned. Again, as the collar had a small crack I opted to do a very light press fit and I will glue it. I notice that the connector is at a slight angle downwards and not straight like the Pathé. I will post a picture of it when its finished.
Last thing I did was the swivelling ring. I did 2 just because I had enough tube. And that's all for this week end.
I still need to do:
Connector external ring
Vertical shaft
Stylus holder
Put it all together
Nickel plating
Stay tuned!