Columbia Restoration

[Mattura]

Hi,
I'm new to the talking machine world, having recently acquired a Columbia Grafonola (salvaged from my late Grandad's shed). It had been neglected for at least 30 years (though as a child I remember playing with it, undoubtedly not giving it the care and respect it needed!) So having relocated it to my house I am attempting to spruce it up in order to both honour his memory and have an acceptable piece of furniture in my dining room rather than a tatty old box! I have found some good tips on here, so I thought I'd post my progress as I go along and hopefully get more help when I need it.
Happily, the motor is in working order and everything else just looks like it needs a good clean. One of the knobs to open the "volume shutters" (what are they called?!) is absent (probably somewhere on the shed floor in Grandad's old house) so I hope to replace that with something matching the others. I have covered it in lemon oil and that has made a big difference already.

[alang]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations to your Grafonola. Looks like you already made good progress with your machine. One thing that looks a bit strange is the tonearm, but it may just be the angle of the photograph. If you could post more detailed close up photos it would become clearer. If the tonearm is correct the needle should just about meet the turntable spindle in the middle. I wish you a lot of enjoyment with your new phonograph.

Andreas

[Lucius1958]

Hi!

Judging from the spelling, and the mention of woodworm, am I correct that in assuming you are in the UK?

As a first resource for restoration information, I would strongly recommend The Compleat Talking Machine by Eric Reiss. He has very good advice for newcomers to the hobby.

Lemon oil is a good start for the cabinet, but it would benefit greatly from a deeper cleaning. I (and many others here) have used a hand cleaner called "GoJo" (non-pumice version). I do not know what is available where you are: some of our other members may have that information.

As for the woodworm: you should probably make sure there are no survivors lurking in there. Give every hole a good going over with pesticide, and monitor the cabinet for any signs of wood dust.

Once the cabinet is cleaned, you can assess the condition of the finish, and decide how to go from there.

As with any machine of this vintage, you will need to do some mechanical restoration. A basic disassembly of the motor (NOTE: make sure the mainspring is COMPLETELY WOUND DOWN before taking the motor apart!), and a thorough cleaning and re-lubricating, is essential for any old machine. If the mainspring(s) need to be re-greased (which they often will), you might want to contact a local restorer, instead of tackling the job yourself.

Pot metal is also a touchy thing to work with: the chief problem area with Grafonolas of this vintage is the tone-arm and its pivots. If parts are stiff, or will not come apart for repair, you may need to leave them in the freezer for some time to free them. Don't try to force them.

Finally, the soundbox should be rebuilt, with attention to the gaskets, diaphragm, and needle bar. I am sure that someone here can refer you to an experienced restorer in your general area.

I hope this advice has been of some help.

Bill

[epigramophone]

Your machine is a Columbia Model 125(oak) also available in mahogany as the 126 and dating from about 1927.

As others have pointed out, there has been a problem in the past with the tonearm which appears to have been sleeved to repair a break in the fragile die-casting. Also the soundbox may be a later replacement. It should be a Columbia No.8 which should swivel upwards for needle changing, but in old age they have frequently seized on their mountings.

[Mattura]

One thing that looks a bit strange is the tonearm, but it may just be the angle of the photograph.

Thanks Andreas, where the sound box attaches to the tonearm I think there used to be a small screw holding it at the correct angle (about 45 degrees?), however this is missing, so it is inclined to pivot round. In this photo it is posed with a rather steeper angle to keep it in place. I've now disassembled the tonearm for cleaning but when I put it all back together I'll post a closeup and hopefully set it with a new screw to the right angle.

[Mattura]

Judging from the spelling, and the mention of woodworm, am I correct that in assuming you are in the UK?

Thanks Bill! I am indeed in the UK, on the outskirts of London.
As to the woodworm, I am keeping an eye on things but it looks like there is no new dust. I will probably get some stuff for the holes anyway just to make sure. I haven't tackled the motor yet, but I will take care with the main spring when I get to it. I'm currently cleaning up the tonearm and will post some pics soon. It is moving freely which is great news.

[Mattura]

Thanks epigramophone! I'm grateful for the dating, always wondered how old it was. The model number is "125a", do you know if the "a" means anything particular?
I'll post more pics soon, but in the pic, the tonearm hasn't come out well. It is covered in rust which I am removing with gentle rubbing in 0000 wire wool and T-cut. There's probably a faster way to achieve the same results but over time this is looking much better.
You may be right about the soundbox, I'll post pics and we can see...

[Mattura]

A couple of pics...

[Phono48]

Both the arm and the soundbox have been replaced. I would think the arm suffered from the dreaded pot metal problems, and broke. The original No.8 soundbox wouldn't fit any other arm, so that was discarded in favour of the one fitted at the moment. If the arm proves to be too rusted, similar replacements in good condition are fairly easy to come across.

Barry

[epigramophone]

Thanks epigramophone! I'm grateful for the dating, always wondered how old it was. The model number is "125a", do you know if the "a" means anything particular?
I'll post more pics soon, but in the pic, the tonearm hasn't come out well. It is covered in rust which I am removing with gentle rubbing in 0000 wire wool and T-cut. There's probably a faster way to achieve the same results but over time this is looking much better.
You may be right about the soundbox, I'll post pics and we can see...

The "a" suffix was added in 1926 when the Viva-Tonal range was launched.

Your soundbox is a Songster of later date, which will probably give better reproduction than the original, which would have looked something like this :