Victor I phonograph. I RESTORED IT!

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toydk
Victor O
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Re: Victor outside horn machine? MORE PICTURES!

Post by toydk »

Thanks for all the great input. It really helps me better understand what I may be in for should I buy it.

I’ll keep you posted.

Dean

Phonofreak
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Re: Victor outside horn machine? MORE PICTURES!

Post by Phonofreak »

I know about the two different machines. That's why I illustrated the difference between the two. I hope the information I gave to toydk will help him decide whether to bid on this machine, or not.
Harvey Kravitz
jboger wrote:Just to be clear, there have been two Victor I's discussed in this thread, the original poster's (toydk) and mine (jboger). Toydk was seeking input about a machine that was coming up for sale at a nearby auction. I hope he has a better understanding of that machine and can make an informed decision as to a path forward. And, toydk, should you decide to buy it, let us know what you have. I'm sure many of us will find it interesting.

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toydk
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Re: Victor outside horn machine? MORE PICTURES!

Post by toydk »

Well, I made it to the tag sale (not auction) bright and early yesterday. Fortunately I was there early enough to get a low entry number. When I was admitted I headed directly for the Victor I and grabbed it. I got it for $200.

When I got it home and started to look at it I was surprised that it wasn’t in as bad shape as I thought. Yes, there is the damage to the motor board. Someone apparently went crazy with a drill and jigsaw. Fortunately, there are two bolts that can fairly securely hold the motor in place. I will have to figure out how to fix the third bolt. Fortunately the 10” turntable completely covers the damage. I’m open to suggestions on possible fixes to the damaged motor board. Even though you can’t see the damage I would always know it is there.

I took off the strange “escutcheon” and plan to find the correct escutcheon if possible and fill the bolt holes. I also need to find a barrel brake which will probably be more difficult. Anyone have either lying around?

The horn is in great shape but the reproducer needs major work.

The motor works well. It definitely needs major cleaning but the gears all look good. The spring will need a good cleaning.

I played a record on the machine and it sounded surprisingly good.

See pictures below.
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fran604g
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by fran604g »

Congratulations, you've done very well, IMHO. This is a great candidate for restoration. If it were me, I'd just keep an eye out for a donor machine, or just the motor board, for that matter. With a little patience and can-do, I don't see why you can't plug those 3 holes in the side and patch in some vaneer. There are members here who have succeeded with much, much worse cases. :)

Best,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

Dave D
Victor IV
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by Dave D »

Motor boards chopped up like that usually are a sign that an electric motor was installed. Odd (but a good thing) that you still have the spring wound motor.
I think that you got a good buy!
Dave D

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Curt A
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by Curt A »

Now, after seeing what you are dealing with, there is good reason to believe that this can be restored. You bought it right, so you can afford to make improvements.

The idea of finding another motor board is a good idea, but may be hard to find. The one you have can be repaired. Those holes in the motor board could be filled in by laying the motor board over another piece of oak and tracing the outlines of the holes onto a new piece. Then cut them out with a jig saw and insert them into the existing holes and glue them in place. Or, you could take a large piece of veneer and glue it on the entire top to cover the repair and make it appear seamless.

Or, if you are handy at woodworking, find an old cabinet or piece of furniture of some type (doesn't have to be a phonograph) made of quarter sawn oak and replicate the original using a router to make the edge profile. Using vintage wood will help with matching the base cabinet. Then you can drill the holes that are necessary in the correct places and you would have a new motor board without the damage. The side with the bolt holes can either be (1) filled in with a piece of wood dowel and stained to match, (2) cut a piece of veneer overlay to cover that side between the columns, or (3) disassemble the cabinet and remake the side with vintage oak.

It will be a worthwhile learning experience and teach you how to repair future projects...
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
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toydk
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by toydk »

Thanks Curt. What great ideas!

Dean

jboger
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by jboger »

Great buy. The horn looks to be in really nice shape and not sun-bleached from long exposure to the sum. I have a question for you. Could you flip it over and see if the Victor sticker is still on the bottom? If there is, a photo of it would be great (if not too much trouble) or if there is a date on the sticker, could you kindly tell me what that is.

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toydk
Victor O
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by toydk »

jboger, here is a picture of the bottom label. It seems the date is 4-20-10.

Also, could anyone provide a picture of the CIRCULAR TAB BRAKE that Harvey mentioned so I know what I am looking for.

Or Harvey, could you take picture of yours?

Thanks, Dean
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jboger
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Re: Victor I phonograph. I BOUGHT IT!

Post by jboger »

Dean: Thanks for the photo of the sticker. I don't have one on my late model. But I do on my early Victor I. I will take a photo tomorrow. I did, however, flip it over to read the date, which is March 1, 1902. No other date is printed. This corresponds to your 1908 date, not the 4-20-10 date.

Harvey, you wrote earlier that you have both late models with the two different motors. May I ask what are their dates on the stickers and their serail numbers?

John

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