New Project: Edison Home

[tarheeltinkerer]

Not every day I receive a phonograph for Christmas! This apparently was acquired via Craigslist at a low price. My friend repaired part of the case that had damage (hence the unfinished oak). It is missing a few bits and pieces (speed knob, case hinges, few top screws, and the reproducer is for an Ediphone) but otherwise is basically all here. Thoughts? Ideas here?

[Steve Levi]

Looks like short of obtaining a reproducers and installing a belt, a little bit of clean up, it's ready to make some music again! Congrats on a great Christmas present. Thanks for sharing.
Steve

[tomb]

All I got was lump of coal No Edison's or as my wife says violas. I am sneaking a Edison 2 clip into the collection though.. Will the ediphone reproducer work or does it have to be replaced with a C reproducer. Tom B

[tarheeltinkerer]

To say I was shocked to receive this as a gift is an understatement!

It came with seven amberols. My intent is to get an H (maybe K?) reproducer for it to play my larger collection of four minute cylinders. Hopefully ebay will help out!

Needless to say I'll try to post up some project log info once I get this back home and put in a parts order. Any guidance/suggestions as to what approach to take here are welcome. My intention is to only clean up the bedplate, upper works, and the motor. The case needs work but aside from cleaning and lubricating the machine I want to leave the original finish on it alone.

[FellowCollector]

It came with seven amberols. My intent is to get an H (maybe K?) reproducer for it to play my larger collection of four minute cylinders.

This is a 2 minute Edison Home Phonograph (model B). With that in mind it's surprising that it included Amberol (4 minute) cylinders which will not play on it. Along with a model H reproducer this would need a 2/4 minute gear conversion assembly to permit playing of 4 minute cylinders. It's a very thoughtful Christmas present and will be worthy of your efforts!

Doug

[tarheeltinkerer]

It came with seven amberols. My intent is to get an H (maybe K?) reproducer for it to play my larger collection of four minute cylinders.

This is a 2 minute Edison Home Phonograph (model B). With that in mind it's surprising that it included Amberol (4 minute) cylinders which will not play on it. Along with a model H reproducer this would need a 2/4 minute gear conversion assembly to permit playing of 4 minute cylinders. It's a very thoughtful Christmas present and will be worthy of your efforts!

Doug

Doug,

I know of the gearing issue...I take it I would need the mandrel conversion with the 2/4 minute switch?

Cheers,
Frank

[FellowCollector]

Hi Frank,
Yes. You would need the entire 2/4 minute conversion assembly which would include the mandrel and shaft, the feedscrew which rotates around the mandrel shaft, the pulley and clutch, and of course the screws and other necessary tiny parts to make it function. If you want the earlier 2/4 minute conversion assembly for the Edison Home you would want the "2 4" dial assembly as well.

Doug

[Jerry B.]

Congratulations! It's identical to my first cylinder player purchased in 1972. Tom's correct in the fact that it currently plays only two minute records. I'd suggest you enjoy it as a two minute player. Any conversion will be expensive and approach the cost of a second machine. Jerry Blais

[De Soto Frank]

Frank -

That's a nice present, to be sure !

I have a "signature" Home B, with 2 & 4 gearing - uses the shift-lever and quadrant that attach to the back-rod.

I also have a Home D (no end-gate) with 2 & 4, this version does not use the shift lever, just has a lip on the clutch-pulley hub so you can grab it with a fingernail. Don't know if this version will work with an end-gate machine.


Not sure what to tell you about reproducers... the 2 & 4 combo reproducers are usually pricey, not sure how that compares to buying separate C and H reproducers in comparable condition.

Good luck with the repairs !

[tarheeltinkerer]

I recognize converting it to play four minute cylinders is a bit of money in the long run, but I enjoy the challenge of hunting for parts. Candidly I have zero two minute cylinders, so at most this might end up as a pretty piece of furniture in the apartment until I can acquire some decent cylinders. This is why my inclination is geared (awful pun) to making it a more flexible machine.