US OPERA

[ambrola]

I talked with Paul Baker about repairing it, but thought maybe someone had one lying around?

Sorry, It seems that you were asking to buy one...??. Maybe I read this wrong.??... .

No problem. This thing is driving me crazy. No information anywhere. Must be rare and those that were sold didn't last?

[Curt A]

Ronnie, it sure seems like someone out there in PhonoLand would have a US Everlasting machine and could take just a minute to post a picture of whatever they have...? I can't believe that no one has one or is willing to take a pic...

Hey guys, it's Christmas - do Ronnie a favor.

[gsphonos]

Ronnie,

What you are missing are the feed screw half nuts. The US is unique in that it had 2 feedscrews--one for the 2 minute and one for the 4 minute cylinders. The problem with mine is that I was missing pieces for the 2 minute playing mechanism. When you turn the reproducer lever, or whatever you call it, on top of the reproducer, it would both lift the weights up, as well as the half nuts, to put a cylinder on the machine, and then would lower the weight and either the 2 or 4 minute half-nut, depending on what type of cylinder you were going to play.

I have been unable to find a horn for mine, but a Victor III horn fits perfectly. I just found a Vic III horn that had been bead blasted, to get off the paint, and I will repaint black and my machine will finally be done--except for not being able to play the 2 minute cylinders. My reproducer was in such bad shape that I was also not able to get the lever to pull the weights up to work. So, when placing a cylinder on the mandrel, I have to hold up the 4 minute weight with my finger (the 2 minute weight has been locked in the "up" position. At least mine plays, and it sounds great!! I am happy that it just works at all, instead of just being a display piece.

I think yours is going to come out great! Your reproducer is in about 100 percent better condition than mine was! Do you have the other stylus? Sorry I can't get a clear picture of the underside of the reproducer. I'm not about to take it off the machine after all the work my friend put in to get it working! Don't want to mess anything up now that it is working!

Mike

[ambrola]

I understand the principles behind the reproducer. I just need to see a picture of what the feedscrews looks like. It only takes 30 seconds to remove?

[gramophone78]

I understand the principles behind the reproducer. I just need to see a picture of what the feedscrews looks like. It only takes 30 seconds to remove?

I think no one wants to risk their reproducer breaking also. Clearly they are very fragile and hard to have aligned to work correctly.
Here is a thought.....why don't you look for the patent drawings. They will clearly show you what you need.
Also, if you are dealing with Paul....he knows what you will need anyway.....

[ambrola]

I have looked for the patent, but can't find anything. You are right about being fragile, but there not going to just fall apart unless there already damaged. Pot metal is the demon of us all. I still need to talk with Paul to see if he has the information in drawings or notes. At $50.00 an hour, you better get your ducks in a row.

[ambrola]

Case solved. It is missing the half nuts. They work on a long rod through the parts I thought were broken. Thanks to Paul for the explanation.