Need Help With My First Edison Cylinder Machine

[JohnM]

If Dick's 'Standard' is an 'A', it doesn't take a case decal anyway, right? John M

[Amberola 1-A]

If Dick's 'Standard' is an 'A', it doesn't take a case decal anyway, right? John M

I know the earliest ones with the latches were devoid of a decal, but the next had the banner decal if I recall.

[JohnM]

We are in the Everglades eating lotus and can't remember anything nor do we have reference books! Thanks Bill! John

[Amberola 1-A]

We are in the Everglades eating lotus and can't remember anything nor do we have reference books! Thanks Bill! John

The Everglades? Be careful John or something will be eating you!!!

[PhonoJack]

Dick,

Old Tom Edison didn't do us any favors with the model number and nomenclature he used with his family of phonographs. Hope this helps.

There are two types of Edison Standard Model A machines. The first version, 1. what is typically called the "square top" (the oak cabinet and cover are square, w/square corners), no tranfer on the front and the second version, 2. 'new style' with chamfered edges, base moulding and a hinged wooden frame onto which the bedplate would be fastened which could be opened for inspection, (for JohnM) with Edison Standard Phonograph transfer.

Based on your further description of the three screws, I now understand and believe you have this 'new style' Standard which does not have those large springs I described that isolate the later Standard motors from their motor plate. Interesting that the old square top motor and plate were easier to work on because they could be simply flipped over and worked on in the box because the motor plate could sit on the ledges on the top of the box cabinet. This is just a tidbit of information that you'll remember when you soon get your first square top, this is a subliminal hypnotic suggestion).
So back to your original question, I checked both types of my Standard A machines; one was loose like yours, the other was snug and tight as it should be. I simply tightened the screw from the top to eliminate any play. The circumference of the hole is much larger than the collar of the nut. I wonder if there is some kind of disintegrated rubber in there. I don't remember ever seeing that. I've never seen springs in there either. Neither of mine have springs. I am tempted to put in a small rubber grommet to isolate the motor from the bedplate just for fun to see if it quiets down a bit. Luckily we don't have any amplified feed back to deal with.

GramophoneShane wrote: This is good advise if the spring is already broken, but not if you want to reuse the spring. A good spring can be damaged removing it this way.
I disagree. First, many people wrongly assume you just let go of the spring while it's inside the burlap bag. Do not let go of it. The bag is only meant to protect you from geting hit in the face or eye. I was trying to be nice, what you see on that video is very dangerous and does not apply to most Edison machines. That demo shows a weak, harmless spring. DO NOT OPEN YOUR EDISON SPRINGS THAT WAY.
Next, it's not easy to see whether the spring is broken or even hairline cracked, but if it is, there's a good chance it could bite you. Again, using the burlap bag properly will not damage the spring.

Best regards,

Jack

[gramophoneshane]

Well, I'm sorry Jack, but I disagree. Edison springs are taken out in exactly the same way as the "weak harmless spring" in my video.
If it would make you happy, I could add another one showing me taking an Edison spring out in exactly the same way.
I've been taking all sorts of springs out since I was a 13 yr old kid, and not once have I had a spring get away from me. It's so easy a little girl could even do it.
Perhaps you should be a little more detailed with you bag removal technic before people go & ruin their good springs?

[JohnM]

Do springs coil in the opposite direction south of the equator than they do here in the US?
John M

[gramophoneshane]

LOL. No, that's just an old wives tale, much like the story about how hard spring removal & installation is. I'm sure that's just a vicious rumour started by phono repairmen to drum up business
Somewhere online, there is a copy of the Edison diamond disc service manual, and I'm sure it describes the romoval & installation of the DD spring (one of the biggest & strongest springs you're likely to encounter)in exactly the same way as I show in my video.

[gramophoneshane]

Found it!
Pages 5, 6 & 7 might be of interest to you Jack.

http://www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/ddmanual.html

Here is a copy of pages 6 & 7.

If it's good enough for Edison, it's good enough for me!

[MordEth]

Ironically, as Shane posted this I had actually just finished grabbing this manual, and started to run it through OCR, so that I can both post the text (much as I have done for other articles) and post a searchable PDF of it that one could download and keep locally.

I think that this would a great thing to have on hand for anyone with an Edison disc phonograph.

— MordEth