Here is the progress on the VV-300 I saved from the scrap yard. You can see the cabinet was in sad shape, mechanics not much better.
A spring was slipping so I rebuilt the 4 spring motor. The tone arm was loose, bearings were worn and bone dry. I put in new bearings, greased and reassembled.
The No 2 reproducer had cracked gaskets and as you see by the picture a broken spring, so that was rebuilt.
I disassembled the horn, cleaned and sealed with silicone bathroom calking.
Now, the cabinet took a lot more work. I cleaned with Gojo and steelwool and it worked well except for the finish of the top was badly cracked and the feet were bad. Sooooooo…...I wet sanded the top with 800 grit until it was glassy smooth but still kept the original finish and lightly restained with mahogany. When I sanded the domed lid I didn't use a sanding block so it has swirl marks, so need to redo it. After wiping off the excess stain I figured it would be dry in 24 hours but right now we have 90+ temps in PA and near 90% humidity for the next 4 or so days so no chance of that totally drying until next week when I will give it a good coat of wax. Anyway, here's a pic of it at 90% done. I'm quite happy for a machine that was free Thanks to everyone who gave me tips on restoration and especially Walt Sommers of Gettysburg Antique Phonographs who supplied the rebuild parts, as well as sharing his knowledge.
Stetam
Before and after restoration
-
- Victor II
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2019 4:02 pm
Before and after restoration
Last edited by stetam on Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:00 am, edited 4 times in total.
- Steve Levi
- Victor II
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:49 am
- Location: Indiana
Re: Before and after restoration
Impressive! Keep up the good work. Looks fantastic right now. Thanks for sharing. Steve L.
- barnettrp21122
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:19 pm
- Personal Text: "Did you ever stop to think that pleasure is a duty?" (Victor sales pamphlet)
Re: Before and after restoration
What an inspiring project! Good job, and thanks for the update!
Bob
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
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo