Edison HOME Model B with 2/4 Minute Gears

[CDBPDX]

Here is the very first Edison HOME Model B I've seen that has the 2-4 minute play option. It is serial # 161xxx.

The pulley gear looks the same as for a Model D, the mandrel shaft is almost the same, only it has the pointed end to accommodate the swing gate. Was this a kit??

Cliff

[52089]

Yes, when the wax Amberols came out in 1908, Edison sold upgrade kits for the Home, Standard, Gem, and Triumph including the necessary parts and 12 "Special" Amberol records. I think the price for the kit was $7.50.

[Phonofreak]

Yes, When Edison introduced the 4 min. wax Amberols, in 1908, and the Model D series, there were kits to upgrade the older machines. You could "Amberolize" or upgrade machines using these kits. They were available from the Gem to the Triumph. If the owner didn't have the mechanical ability to do it himself, the dealer could do it or, it could be sent to the factory. The kits came with the gearing, mandrels(for Homes and Triumphs), an H reproducer,installation instructions, and some 4 min. Amberol records. Very Nice machine.
Harvey Kravitz

[De Soto Frank]

Cliff,

I have a "signature" B Home, with 2 & 4 gears added, a D Home ( factory 2 & 4 ), as well as two long-case "Banner" A Homes with 2 & 4 gearing.

The 2 & 4 for the end-gate machines has the little shift lever, the one for the D has no lever or indicator, just a flange/lip on the feed-screw edge of the pulley.

While they operate on the same design and principle, I do not believe the gearing kits swap between end-gate and non-end-gate machines.


Looks like a nice outfit you have there.

[CDBPDX]

Thanks for the replies.

It is a very nice machine. Unfortunately, I am not the owner.

The adaptor 'kit' had been installed incorrectly and it only played 2 min cylinders. The speed gears in the pulley were frozen, I suspect because they had been immobile since 1908 or so, when the kit was first installed. Also, the brass 19 tooth gear was cracked and needed replacing. Works great, now!

Cliff

[Tpapp54321]

I found a picture of what the combination kit for the home model B looked like on the antique radio forum: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vie ... 9&t=202553.




Hope this helps,

-Tom

[CDBPDX]

I found a picture of what the combination kit for the home model B looked like on the antique radio forum: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vie ... 9&t=202553.




Hope this helps,

-Tom

Very cool! Thanks!

[Phonolair]

I found a picture of what the combination kit for the home model B looked like on the antique radio forum: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vie ... 9&t=202553.




Hope this helps,

-Tom

Actually, it's only the box that's part of the 2&4 minute Home B kit. The parts inside the box are from the Home B after the kit was installed.

Best Regards, Larry

[De Soto Frank]

Thanks for that clarification, Larry... I kept looking for the grooved collar next to the pulley, where the shifter pin would ride...

[Victrolacollector]

These kits were nice to transistion over to the Amberols, but I rarely use it to play the Blue Amberols, in my humble opinion, I often am concerned that those little planetary gears could wear out quick. If I had some wax amberols, I would probably use it more.

I resort to playing Blue Amberols on my Amberola 30.