Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

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walser
Victor II
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Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by walser »

Hi,

I've been asked to restore this "Bengali intermediaire" reproducer.
20180302_111426.jpg
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It needs a new stylus and a swivelling connector. I also suspected that the cork/pressed wood ring attaching the diaphragm was not original.
20180302_111450.jpg
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.
unnamed (2).jpg
I started by analyzing the ebonite to look for cracks and I found 3 problematic areas around the perimeter.
20180302_113849.jpg
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Fearing that I could end with multiple pieces I decided to remove only the external ring that holds the diaphragm.
20180302_114312.jpg
I then started doing the ring.
20180304_194021.jpg
And after tons of swarf it ended like this:
20180305_102726.jpg
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.
20180305_115045.jpg
Then I attacked the connector. The body was the first piece I turned.
20180304_180850.jpg
Again, as the collar had a small crack I opted to do a very light press fit and I will glue it.
20180304_180858.jpg
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.
20180304_190809.jpg
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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!

epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by epigramophone »

I trust that the owner will be duly grateful for the time and skill you are devoting to this restoration.

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walser
Victor II
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by walser »

Tiny update:

During lunch time I managed to squeeze some minutes on the lathe and did the external ring. As usual I try to make something different to differentiate it from a genuine piece. In this case, I made the knurling in the opposite direction.
20180305_151438.jpg
20180305_152435.jpg
As you can see in this last picture, the connector is slightly angled downwards.

Regards,

Pedro Martínez

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walser
Victor II
Posts: 210
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Location: Spain
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by walser »

Small update on the progress.

This weekend I only managed to work one hour on the reproducer and nickel plated the retaining ring and connector. Only the sapphire needs to be installed. I will turn a small socket to install it on the dome.
20180312_190737.jpg
Regards

Pedro Martínez

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walser
Victor II
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by walser »

Its done!

Last night I was able to finish it.

First thing was to create a stylus of borosilicate glass and make sure the tip was perfectly round:
20180316_130630.jpg
20180316_130725.jpg
Then a tiny socket was turned:
20180316_133340.jpg
Some minuscule drops of shellac later gave this nice dome:
20180316_135152.jpg
And some minutes later it was glued to the diaphragm and this is the end result:
20180316_135752.jpg
20180316_135759.jpg
Tomorrow it will be shipped back to its owner.

Regards,

Pedro Martínez

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alang
VTLA
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by alang »

Once again I admire your skills. Well done.

Andreas

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TinfoilPhono
Victor IV
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by TinfoilPhono »

Stunning workmanship. I envy your skills.

Gramtastic
Victor III
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by Gramtastic »

Excellent workmanship !!

fonografica
Victor O
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:45 am

Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by fonografica »

Hola.
Cuanto cobras por restaurar un reproductor?
Saludos
Tony

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walser
Victor II
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Re: Le Bengali intermediaire restoration

Post by walser »

Te envío un privado

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