What is This?

[WindupArtist]

I imagine some of you saw this listing on Ebay. I bought the unusual machine, and am asking for help in understanding what it was for: Here is the Ebay link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/unique-machinis ... true&rt=nc

Described as "unique machinist built", it is approximately 10% larger than a Standard Edison motor, but unlike the Edison, drives a spindle rather than a belt pulley. The quality of the machining is exceptional. The spring barrel, for example, is machined rather than cast, with a finely fitted cover held on with half a dozen countersunk screws. There is a coin slot with no mechanics behind it, or any signs that there ever were mechanics. An external knob turns an exceptionally long speed control rod with fine precision. A spindle protrudes slightly from the top and on one side there is the shadow of a removed part that could have mounted the play-arm for the reproducer. What makes most sense to me is that it was built as a small coin operated phonograph which was never completed.

Is this truly a one-off, or was it a production machine? Any ideas? I can send more pics if that would help....

Thanks,
Russell
Smithsartworks.com
Los Angeles

[CMcPherson]

Ooh, I was watching that for a while. Cool stuff.

[wjw]

I think the seller is our Wyatt Marcus who can tell us more about it.
-bill

[WindupArtist]

That the motor was individually machined by hand makes sense just looking at the gears and shafts, but the base plate and upright panels appear to be enameled castings, without a machinist's crisp edges. The mix of castings and machined parts--- along with the sophisticated design and construction of the box--- leads me to think it was a production piece, one of several or many made.

There is definitely a coin slot, with a metal orfice... but, no signs of a mechanism behind it, or any indications on the motor as to how movement might be started. There is a knob to adjust the speed control, but nothing remotely indicating an on-off control.

It would be quite a challenge to fabricate a coin handling mechanism and starter, just to release the potential of the object.

It has gotten me interested in coin operated phonographs in general.

[Lucius1958]

The nearest thing to an on/off control seems to be a turntable brake mounted on the motor board: how that would tie in with the coin slot is a mystery...

After further inspection, I notice a couple of things:

The absence of a coin mechanism might indicate the machine was based on an 'honor system'. However, there is no evidence of a lock on the case - a basic requirement for any coin-op.

The position of the spindle and the brake suggests that the turntable would have hung far over the edge of the case: rather an odd design.

What of the cylindrical piece on the top? Assuming that the mark on the side is for a back bracket, it is positioned in about the right place for a reproducer rest, perhaps with a felt cushion for the needle...

Bill

[WindupArtist]

The nearest thing to an on/off control seems to be a turntable brake mounted on the motor board: how that would tie in with the coin slot is a mystery...

Bill

Thank you, Bill, for thinking about this, and for identifying the turntable brake. I am attaching a photo. The brass piece on the top holds a cushiony sponge material... as you said, perhaps a place to park the reproducer.

I don't think the "coin slot" is a coin slot after all. It is quite wide (1.25 inches) and located inconveniently on the crank side of the box, not on the front with the speed control. There is nothing behind it on the inside, and does not appear to ever have had anything behind it. If it were on the "honor system", it would be truly inconvenient to retrieve the money as the heavy motor is on the backside of the lid!

[welshfield]

It's not a coin slot. More likely it was for a slide lever; perhaps the builder changed his mind or never finished his planned use.

[WindupArtist]

It's not a coin slot. More likely it was for a slide lever; perhaps the builder changed his mind or never finished his planned use.

Slide lever sounds right... thank you, that had not occurred to me. How were slide levers used with phonographs?

[Lucius1958]

It's not a coin slot. More likely it was for a slide lever; perhaps the builder changed his mind or never finished his planned use.

Slide lever sounds right... thank you, that had not occurred to me. How were slide levers used with phonographs?

The only other use for a slide lever (besides a speed control, which this machine already has), as far as I know, would be a sort of "quick start" mechanism, as found on some Pathés: however, the slot is in the wrong position for such an arrangement.

- Bill

[US PHONO]

Possibly a Chrismas Tree stand, or driver for a rotating store display?