Edison London Upright - fixed up on the cheap

[Jwb88]

Thanks for the nice words, everybody. Inigo, I'm probably not as skilled as you say, but thank you. I got the lid nice and flat, but the bubbled veneer on the right side is still just slightly bubbled and shows a few cracks. I think it would disappear if it was ever refinished in sanding, but I like leaving the finish intact on this one. The cabinet is very light and cheap, but very functional, and pretty cute!

Mike, that's a great story! I hope the machine is still making the rounds, and I think it's pretty likely that it is.

[EarlH]

You really did a nice job with that little Edison. As a collector it's nice the price has come down on most of this stuff, but the downside is how many things like this little guy that won't survive because there aren't many collectors that have room for really common machines. So, it really does turn into a work of love because there is no way to come out ahead financially on such a project. It really probably looks as good or better than it did when it left the factory too, since they really were trying to keep the costs down on the low end machines. They usually didn't give them any more than the bare minimum for a finish in the first place. You do nice work with your scroll saw. I really do not like cutting out grilles. Especially one's that have a lot of straight lines in them. And they do sound better than you would expect them to with that small horn. It helps to find the "sweet spot" in the room for them. Well, good luck with your projects, I sure with I had the ambition I had 25 years ago. Haha! Earl.

[martinola]

I was looking at this thinking "what a fantastic job on this little machine!". I was about to post something to that effect when I noticed that somebody named Martin had already commented, um, about a year and a half ago... Beside the fears engendered by possible early senility, I still say "good job!" This is the perfect kind of project so you don't have to experiment for the first time on a far more expensive machine.

- Martin
(again)

[VanEpsFan1914]

Now I know what Diamond Disc to buy if I ever get the space and all that. These are such beautifully minimalist phonographs!

[Phono-Phan]

Remarkable job!!! Thanks for saving another phonograph that most would discard.

[marcapra]

I wonder if you have ever done French Polish? I've experimenting with it on some low priced phonographs and I like it. But I saw a guy on Youtube say that you should not use the pre-made shellac. You should buy the shellac flakes and make your own to get a good finish. Do anyone have any opinion on this? I'm about to order the blond shellac flakes.

[tomb]

What was your final finish on the phonograph? It has a nice satin look to it Tom

[Jwb88]

Many thanks again.

Yes, I agree, I really do like the sound of the 100 size horns, provided it doesn't have a mute ball. I installed one on this London Upright, but have since taken it off. I kept the ball loose to just manually put in the horn if I need lower-volume listening. Without the ball, they have a really bright crisp sound that carries. I was surprised. Obviously the larger horns sound fantastic and much fuller, but I will say that, with the mute ball installed, it really diminished the wow factor. Then again, it's nice to have a volume control, so I have the mute ball still installed on the 250.

I haven't mastered French polish enough to really recommend any technique. What I have done is use Zissner out of the can, thinned down, and so maybe I should switch to using flake shellac.

The final "finish" on this is Briwax wax, I bought it in a dark brown color, and it doesn't work wonders, but I think with a few applications it does tint it a little and smooth things out slightly.