Restoring a HMV reproducer. Not always bigger is better!

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walser
Victor II
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Restoring a HMV reproducer. Not always bigger is better!

Post by walser »

Hi,

Yesterday during lunch time I managed to do a quick repair on a friends reproducer.

As found, it had THAT needle screw and believe it or not it had the thread stripped.
20180704_170100.jpg
So I had two options, or go one step bigger... or repair it. :D
IMG-20180704-WA0005.jpeg
To repair it, its important to fill the hole cavern with the same kind of metal. In this case a brass thumb screw I had around was used.
20180704_170209.jpg
20180704_170435.jpg
Then it was sawn and filed flush.
20180704_170920.jpg
To make the fix stronger, a small drop of flux and tin was needed.
20180704_172414.jpg
Once heated, it fills the gap by capillarity. After filing the tin the repair is invisible.
20180704_173311.jpg
The owner wanted a long screw and be able to use soft tone needles (thin needles). This reproducer had a triangular needle hole for bamboo needles so I displaced the screw hole a tiiiiiny bit to the left to allow the screw to reach the corner properly.
IMG-20180704-WA0014.jpeg
IMG-20180704-WA0019.jpeg
Then the needle screw hole was tapped and a subtle touch with diluted paint made the repair to blend with the patina.
20180704_175136.jpg
20180704_180047.jpg
And voila! Ready for another 100 years.
20180704_180115.jpg
Regards,

Pedro Martínez.

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barnettrp21122
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Re: Restoring a HMV reproducer. Not always bigger is better!

Post by barnettrp21122 »

Beautiful work!
Thanks for the detailed photos!
I wish I had such fine skill as yours!
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt

His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo

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MicaMonster
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Re: Restoring a HMV reproducer. Not always bigger is better!

Post by MicaMonster »

WELL DONE! BRAVO!!!!!! These are some of the most gratifying repairs out there.....fixing someone else’s “enthusiastic” repair.
-Antique Phonograph Reproducer Restorer-
http://www.EdisonDiamondDisc.com
Taming Orthophonics Daily!

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