Edison Model C weight question

[Chuck]

I have a cobbled-together reproducer here.
It consists of a model H top, an original
hinge block, a model C weight, and a modified
stylus bar that has a modern sapphire 2 minure
ball stylus mounted in it.

The intended purpose of this reproducer was to
use up some miscellaneous parts and put them
all together into something that can be used
to test brown wax blanks.

I always do a "quiet test" which involves
shaving the blank shiny smooth then playing
that shaved surface all the way through to
listen for any noise or imperfections.

A regular model C reproducer is not the best
thing to use for those tests, I would prefer
something lighter and with a ball stylus.

Hence the cobbled-together attempt.

Here is my question:

How much of a cardinal sin would it be if I
sawed off the overhanging portion of that C
weight? My plan would be to saw it off, leaving enough metal so that if I want to add
some weight back on later, that there is some
room to drill and tap some 0-80, or 1-72
holes, to screw another weight piece back
on to.

I can have that thing sawed off of there in
less than 5 minutes, but I need to know
how plentiful C weights are these days, and
what their value is.

This particular C weight I'm considering
sawing off is kind of a junker anyway, because
it's hole in back where the pin goes through
has lots of slop in it, so it isn't so
great to start with.

But, I thought maybe it might lighten it
up to about half of it's current weight if
that overhanging part disappears.

What do y'all think?

Should I saw it, or stop and think some more?
Because once it's sawed, it's sawed.

Chuck

[De Soto Frank]

"Who wuz dat lady I sawed you wid' las' night ? "


I'd be really reluctant to cut an original tail-weight down, if it were mine...


Maybe hold-out for a "B" w/o a stylus, and bodge on that one ? Or a really mangled "C" ?


As you say, "once it's cut, it's cut."

[Chuck]

Well this is sure one of those "stop and think" times.
There's no hurry. But, yesterday I did hold the little
stainless steel straightedge up against that C weight and
*almost* grabbed the sharp scribe, and scribed the cut line.

But, I hesitated, and this C weight is still (for now) as it
has always been since it left the factory.

But, the scribe line, the vise, and the coping saw are all
real handy, just waiting, and I may do it yet.

Just not sure. I would like to try a lighter weight on this,
and this would be by far the most expedient method of obtaining it.

But, once you sawed me wid dat lady, it's all over and done.

Chuck

[outune]

Since the reproducer is "cobbled" together, and you want to use it as a utility piece-- why not purchase a reproduction tail-weight and cut that one down to fit your purposes. That saves a 100+ year old part from being destroyed.

Not advice, just a thought

Brad Abell

[Chuck]

This is precisely why I ask these sorts
of questions here on this forum!

That is a most excellent idea, to get a
reproduction C weight and cut it down.

Who has them for sale? Ron Sitko?

Thanks for that suggestion! That solves
the technical issue and it saves the old
orginal Edison part.

Chuck