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Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:15 pm
by John3313
Hi All,

Just picked up a VV-90 that was in the same family since purchased in early 20's. The chrome inside the lid looks pristine. The seller's grandfather had bought it new and was a Marine ... only he was allowed to play it for the family.

I'd like your thoughts on a broken leg repair, some gouges, and a signature ... I will post these on three lines here for simplicity sake.

First the leg. I have a drill press so I was thinking of drilling out the old 'square peg' repair and going about 2" into the Top and Bottom of the break to insert:

Plan A - a 4" hardwood dowel with wood glue.
Plan B - a 4" threaded steel rod with epoxy, where thread OD = hole ID (such that the rod slides in place, no rotation needed to 'screw in')
Plan C - your plan goes here ...

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:18 pm
by John3313
Second, the Signature: Looks like factory worker 'Angel Lerner' (perhaps) signed this before the manufacturers label was applied. Has anyone seen this particular signature before?

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:19 pm
by John3313
Third, the Gouges: There are a few of these. I don't like the thought of building these gouged edges back up with Plastic Wood or some such filler which won't stain or look proper. Any good ways to do this?

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:20 pm
by Lucius1958
As for the leg: I think that the first option is preferable: you might want to use hide glue for the repair, though, as it can easily be reversed in case it has to be redone.

The signature: with a name like "Lerner", it's more likely to be "August" instead of "Angel"

The gouges: best way to fill those in would be sawdust and hide glue, built up and sanded down: see the "Basket Case Columbia" thread in "Machines".

Hope that helps.

Bill

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 12:22 am
by John3313
Thanks for the suggestions Bill. Here is a link to the 'Basket Case' thread if anyone wants to see that. The saw dust technique is on pages 11-13. I was amazed to see the little home nickel plating outfit work so well!

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... e+Columbia

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 12:06 am
by John3313
Here are some pictures reattaching the leg. After carefully removing the square peg it became clear that this was the THIRD time the leg was broken. Evidence of prior break was hiding under the peg.

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 12:08 am
by John3313
Since the leg had broken before I am now thinking that I should NOT try to hide the break with saw dust-glue filling but should leave it so future owners realize the leg is weak. What do you think?

Re: Broken Leg & Victrola History?

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 12:28 am
by tomb
Did you use hide glue or an epoxy to glue it.??? If you are going to keep it you would know that it was a little weaker than the others and could compensate. You could also leave a note attached to it for future owners that it had a bum leg. Maybe you should have given it a knee replacement treatment with a titanium replacement rod. If it was strong enough then refinish it or leave it to your preference. As thing age the do get scratches and dings from being moved around Tom