Graphophone Model BF ca 1910

[jboger]

Well, I bought one about two weeks ago, the Graphophone Model BF, that is. I need the experts out there to tell me what's what. I played it before I bought it, but it is in a serious need of cleaning. I don't want to play it again until I know what I'm doing, hence three photos of the reproducer (courtesy my son--he's good with the camera). The first photo of the reproducer is of the front, just to get everyone oriented. Then the second one is of the back. The third is a close-up of--what?--I don't see a needle. Is what I'm looking at kosher? I was expecting a needle. It looks like a jewel, a sapphire jewel (I fix watches). Is that what comes in contact with the cylinder? Seems awfully blunt. Or is something missing or broken? Let's assume that's been on there a long time. What's to be done? If it's right, then this looks like something one doesn't change after every play. If it is a jewel, how is it set in there? I set a similar watch jewel (it's called a roller jewel) in with a small bit of shellac applied with some heat. If this is wrong, then what do I need? signed, Confused in Rockville.

[Curt A]

Your Lyric reproducer looks OK from the pictures. That round ball is the sapphire that comes in contact with the cylinder records. Yours is made to play 2 minute black wax records or 2 minute Indestructible cylinders. Most likely you don't have a 2/4 minute adapter on your machine, since this looks like a 2 minute stylus. If you have that extra gearing, it would be a round metal piece containing a gear train on the left end of the feedscrew with a small selector lever. Otherwise, it is a fixed 2 minute feedscrew, which is most likely. Send pics of the entire machine, as it will help determine if anything else is necessary to fix. They are great machines and usually work well... Also, the answer to your question about changing needles, is NO, you have a permanent stylus. The only machines that need their needles replaced are disc machines which use disposable steel needles.

[jboger]

First off, a really big thank you. You've answered a number of questions in the short space of a paragraph. And so here are four more pictures of the machine that I hope help. I've done a bit of reading about this machine. I note that it takes a 6-inch cylinder as well as the more common 4 inch. I've read the 6-inch ones are rare. Are they rare as in rare? or rare as in really, really rare? The machine seems to have its original belt, but comparison with other machines on the web tell me that this machine has lost perhaps half of it's painting. It the machine badly needs a cleaning. I have not taken the mechanism out of the box. Don't know how to do that. Three things seem to be in the way: (1) the winder and (2,3) the clips that lock the lid onto the bottom. I don't want to force anything. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. It did come with what seems to be an original horn, a witch's hat horn. Some dings on it, and the words Pat App. near one end. At the shop where I bought it--there's a smaller graphophone also there with a small floral like horn--we played the disk that you see thereon. It's a march. It sure seemed familiar. When I got the machine home I played it again. Sure enough it was Sousa's Liberty Bell March, better known to some as the theme on Monty Python. Again, thanks for the help you have already given me.

[Curt A]

You have an extremely nice looking machine. I have one and it is my favorite. The case is probably the nicest looking case on any cylinder machine. To remove the motor, just turn the crank counterclockwise until it completely unscrews and pull it out. Then pull the clips outward, as in removing the case. The motor and topworks will just lift straight up and allow you to view the motor for cleaning and lubrication. Clean any hardened gunk on the gears with kerosene and a toothbrush initially or carburetor cleaner. Then re-lube the gears with white lithium grease or a good motor oil.

The small holes in the bedplate behind the mandrel are oiling tubes. You should check to see that they line up correctly with the areas they are supposed to lubricate. You can oil the machine without removing the motor once they are lined up by using a small oil can or a plastic "straw" on an aerosol can of lubricant.

The case looks like it has the original finish, so you can clean it with GOOP waterless hand cleaner, available at WalMart. Get the white cream without pumice. Rub it on and wipe it off with a clean rag or paper towel and it should improve the appearance immediately. You can buy other specialized cleaners, but GOOP works well, is cheap and easily available.

Clean the nickel plated parts with a good metal polish like Wendol or Simichrome and it will clean up well, as the plating looks to be in good condition. Don't use steel wool to polish it, since the parts are brass with nickel plating and too much polishing will go through to the brass color. Use a soft damp cloth with polish on it and wipe it off with a clean cloth.

I will post a picture of my machine, since yours is missing most of the very beautiful stenciling... it looks like the top part may have been repainted. You can get original looking stenciling from Gregg Cline and if you want to repaint the black bedplate first, there are some good ideas under previous threads, or ask any questions as you go along... I'm sure other members will add to this information.

[Curt A]

On second look at the black cast iron casting, I can faintly see the stenciling. Maybe if you clean it with GOOP, you might discover the original stenciling under the layer of built up crud. It almost looks like it is covered with a greasy, dirty, smoky layer of neglect... which I initially thought was repainted.

[Curt A]

Regarding your question about Columbia 6" cylinders, they are "rare" and expensive - costing hundreds of dollars per cylinder in good condition, if you can even find one. Starting in 1905 the Columbia Phonograph Co. released a series of six-inch long Twentieth Century Talking Machine Record cylinders which played for three, rather than the usual two minutes. The series was short-lived and approximately 189 titles were issued. These cylinders are uncommon today. I have a broken one and several empty boxes... they are also extremely fragile.

http://collectorsfrenzy.com/details/181 ... RD___85036

[Curt A]

Newly made indestructible 6" cylinder:
http://www.phonographcylinders.com/vulc ... record.php

[Le0]

You have an extremely nice looking machine. I have one and it is my favorite. The case is probably the nicest looking case on any cylinder machine. To remove the motor, just turn the crank counterclockwise until it completely unscrews and pull it out. Then pull the clips outward, as in removing the case. The motor and topworks will just lift straight up and allow you to view the motor for cleaning and lubrication. Clean any hardened gunk on the gears with kerosene and a toothbrush initially or carburetor cleaner. Then re-lube the gears with white lithium grease or a good motor oil.

The small holes in the bedplate behind the mandrel are oiling tubes. You should check to see that they line up correctly with the areas they are supposed to lubricate. You can oil the machine without removing the motor once they are lined up by using a small oil can or a plastic "straw" on an aerosol can of lubricant.

The case looks like it has the original finish, so you can clean it with GOOP waterless hand cleaner, available at WalMart. Get the white cream without pumice. Rub it on and wipe it off with a clean rag or paper towel and it should improve the appearance immediately. You can buy other specialized cleaners, but GOOP works well, is cheap and easily available.

Clean the nickel plated parts with a good metal polish like Wendol or Simichrome and it will clean up well, as the plating looks to be in good condition. Don't use steel wool to polish it, since the parts are brass with nickel plating and too much polishing will go through to the brass color. Use a soft damp cloth with polish on it and wipe it off with a clean cloth.

I will post a picture of my machine, since yours is missing most of the very beautiful stenciling... it looks like the top part may have been repainted. You can get original looking stenciling from Gregg Cline and if you want to repaint the black bedplate first, there are some good ideas under previous threads, or ask any questions as you go along... I'm sure other members will add to this information.

Pray the lord, no GOJO or other cleaner debate

[Curt A]

[Jerry B.]

Six inch cylinders are very expensive but the the shorter 4" ones generally range in price from $6 to $12 each in good condition. You'll enjoy them just as much. Jerry