Morning Glory Horn Hanger Repair

[dbarger]

I just purchased an Edison Home Phonograph model "A", and Morning Glory horn. The horn is in pretty good shape, but the crane hanger bracket is broken off. Is anyone aware of reproduction parts available to repair this, or have suggestions on a nice way to replace it? I've been to all the hardware stores, and can't find anything suitable. Thanks in advance.

Dave Barger

[Jerry B.]

Photos would sure help us to know what you need. The Model A Home was made before the Edison Company offered larger horns with a machine. Other companies will the needs for both horns and cranes. Jerry Blais

[dbarger]

Hi Jerry,

My apologies... should have sent pics. Thanks.

[dbarger]

...and here's the front view.

[Chuck]

How about a close-up picture of the area where the
old hanger was? I have a few ideas, but a picture
of that area would help.

[Django]

I have the same horn, (see attached photos and please excuse the dust). The hanger is brazed onto the horn, so that is not an option for repair. I don't know your skills, but you probably still have the outline of the hanger on the horn and these photos should help with the rest. The thickness of the hanger is about .020", (0.5mm). If it were mine, I would fabricate a new hanger from sheet metal, (I have the benefit of a machine shop). Tin snips and files will get you there if you are patient and careful, (watch your fingers). You will have to determine the pre-bent dimensions, (in the flat). You can get close by cutting a pattern out of stiff paper. Once you are happy with the result, paint it black, dull it a little and add a hole on each side for rivets, (actually, holes before paint). Riveting will require an assistant and some courage and proper tools. It is a delicate job and requires patience and some skill. Take it slow and careful and it will be rewarding. Alternatively, send it to a repair facility. It's a nice horn, and we are the caretakers of these things, so please treat it well and good luck.

[hearsedriver]

That would be a very simple repair. Get some sheet brass or tin and cut out the bracket. I would use a Dremmel for final shaping. Bend it to shape like the one pictured and solder it in place. Sand the area on the horn where it will attach as well as the bottom of the bracket that you just made. Use a small torch and some rosin flux to attach the bracket. I use the small butane torches that you can get a smoke shop for about $8.00. I would not drill and rivet it on as that is not original. Solder will hold it just fine. If you dont feel comfortable soldering it on, take the horn and bracket to a radiator repair shop and ask them to do it for you. I doubt they would charge much if any for it. Paint it after it has been installed.

[Django]

I agree with Hearsedriver that soldering would be more authentic than riveting. Some horns were riveted, but it seems that this one was not. If you can do it, or have it done successfully, then the soldering solution would be preferable to mine. My concerns regarding soldering a horn that is already painted are that the heat required would likely damage the paint and that if you end up with a cold solder joint, the horn could come crashing down. The suggestion of asking a radiator shop to do the soldering should take most of the risk out of the equation. If you do the soldering yourself, be sure that the surfaces are perfectly clean and you might want to make up some practice pieces before doing the horn.

It was kindly brought to me attention that our horns are similar, but not the same. The colors of my horn are brighter than in the picture. Mine has 11 panels and yours has 10. Please post a close-up of the hanger area.

[dbarger]

I've attached a close-up photo showing where the original hanger bracket is broken off. The photo that Django posted is what it SHOULD look like. I don't have a full-blown machine shop, but am pretty comfortable with basic metal work and soldering.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

[Django]

The footprint looks like mine. Please let us know how it turns out.