Page 1 of 7
FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:22 pm
by AmberolaAndy
Ok folks, after a record (pun intended) 17 month dry spell I finally got a new machine and winter project! This Edison B19 is in kinda rough shape, and missing the grill and crank (hopefully can be obtained In the Yankee trader section) and the stylus on the reproducer is gone. (Once again can be obtained through the YT section with gaskets and a new diaphragm) I think the case is gonna be the tough part to get looking nice and I don’t have any experience beyond Goop cleaner and Kramer’s antique improver. I know this is Gumwood and there’s some trick to treating that style cabinet. So anyway I always wanted to get a tabletop DD to put in my bedroom so I don’t bother my family with my C19 while they watch TV or are asleep. And here’s a few photos I hope to do my best to make it look and work great!
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:59 pm
by Jerry B.
Congratulations on a worthy project. I know you're just the phono nerd for the job.
I think I have a crank at home but I'm busy in Hawaii looking for phonos.
Jerry B.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 6:16 pm
by 52089
The crank is fully interchangeable with any DD upright machine with the standard motor and should be quite easy to find. You can get a replacement grill from Gramps' Treasures. Howard Restor-a-Finish will go a long way to bringing the finish back.
Edison called this color "naturel", which is kind of a fake pine color. Alternatively, the B19 also came in "rouge", which is kind of a fake red mahogany. I would personally stick with the lighter color which is harder to find.
As for playing more softly than your other machine, I think you'll find that this machine does not have the mute ball volume control, but that could be added if desired. The smaller horn will not reduce volume significantly.
I am concerned about the small holes. Woodworm is uncommon in the US, but you may want to treat for it just in case.
Good luck with it. You will enjoy bringing this back to its former state, I'm sure.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:38 pm
by AmberolaAndy
Ok I did a bit of cleaning of it! Good ol Goop and steel wool took off a lot of grime! And Brasso made some parts shine!
Ok the additional problems that need to be solved. That sawtooth part that moves the reproducer across the record seems to be sitting a little low so I have to reach and lift that part up In order the get the reproducer to move back to the beginning. I wonder what I have to do to adjust that.
And the big part. The turntable does crank and spin and I was able to even play a record (I made a video about it) BUT I have to hold the crank or the crank will start to move backwards on it’s own which tells me there is a problem with the winding pawl. I don’t know much about Diamond Disc motors but this is the first one that seems to have some sort of issue
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:49 pm
by AmberolaAndy
52089 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 6:16 pm
The crank is fully interchangeable with any DD upright machine with the standard motor and should be quite easy to find. You can get a replacement grill from Gramps' Treasures. Howard Restor-a-Finish will go a long way to bringing the finish back.
Edison called this color "naturel", which is kind of a fake pine color. Alternatively, the B19 also came in "rouge", which is kind of a fake red mahogany. I would personally stick with the lighter color which is harder to find.
As for playing more softly than your other machine, I think you'll find that this machine does not have the mute ball volume control, but that could be added if desired. The smaller horn will not reduce volume significantly.
I am concerned about the small holes. Woodworm is uncommon in the US, but you may want to treat for it just in case.
Good luck with it. You will enjoy bringing this back to its former state, I'm sure.
Never used Howard’s restore a finish before. I outta try it!
I don’t think there’s a wormwood issue. I think someone drilled something there many years ago.
I don’t mind the softer play because this is gonna be my bedroom machine so it’s only gonna be me listening to it.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 9:44 pm
by 52089
AmberolaAndy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:49 pm
I don’t mind the softer play because this is gonna be my bedroom machine so it’s only gonna be me listening to it.
I don't think you quite understood me. I said that the smaller horn will
not reduce volume significantly. If you
want softer volume, you're going to want to install a mute ball assembly, or a temporary solution like a rolled up sock.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 9:47 pm
by AmberolaAndy
52089 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 9:44 pm
AmberolaAndy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:49 pm
I don’t mind the softer play because this is gonna be my bedroom machine so it’s only gonna be me listening to it.
I don't think you quite understood me. I said that the smaller horn will
not reduce volume significantly. If you
want softer volume, you're going to want to install a mute ball assembly, or a temporary solution like a rolled up sock.
Even better! Haha!
I’m gonna play it with the door shut! BTW LarryH isn’t making Truetones anymore I hear?
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 10:55 pm
by AmberolaAndy
Ok doing a little reading the piece is called the feed gear rack and when I return the reproducer when I finish playing the record, it gets in the way until I have to reach into the cabinet and push it up out of the way. How do I At least remedy that since the pawl looks like the tougher job of the two.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 11:45 pm
by EarlH
Your feed rack arm looks twisted in your photos. Probably from being mishandled while being moved at some time. It should look more like this one in this photo. Then when you get your tone arm to rest where it should on the record while playing, there is a pin with a spring on it towards the rear of that rack. The pin has a set screw against it and that needs to be set so it lifts the rack off the feed screw when you raise the horn. It's fairly simple after you do it once and understand how it all works. Be careful not to twist any of those square headed screws off. Sometimes they are very brittle and may need some heat or penetrating oil to come loose.
Re: FINALLY My first machine of 2021!
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2021 11:51 pm
by EarlH
Here's a better picture showing the other side of the pin and the set screw holding it in place. I forgot I had a loose horn as I've been going through a few motors this past week. Hope this helps.
I’m gonna play it with the door shut! BTW LarryH isn’t making Truetones anymore I hear?