Here's something you don't see very often...

[Curt A]

A very rare/unusual Pathé machine...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Pathé- ... 0005.m1851

[PeterF]

These Diffusor machines show up on French Ebay relatively often, and since they’re extremely light and rather compact, you can get one shipped to the US from France economically.

This one is incomplete and not in the best condition.

Here is a variant to which you can compare it.

[Inigo]

The diffusor model most usually seen in Spain it's the one with rotative diffusor (not attached to a sliding bar, linear tracking, but attached to a rotative bearing, radial tracking). For vertical records it the same, but for laterals, the linear tracking model would be better (n no tracking error). In the other hand, the rotary system is more fool proof, while this linear tracking needs to preserve the sliding bar in perfect shape and well oiled, to avoid the diffusor getting stuck in a fixed position. There is no leading screw, so the grooves must do the work of moving the huge diffusor across the record...

[PeterF]

Another one of my linear-tracking Diffusors has the following warning label:

Condition essentielle de bon fonctionnement du diffusor Pathé

Avant de se servir de l'appareil, et toutes les 15 auditions environ, il est indispensable d'essuyer tres soigneusement la tringle sur laquelle glisse le Diffusor.

Which machine-translates to something like this:

Essential condition of functioning of Diffusor Pathé

Before using the device, and after about every 15 plays, it is essential to very carefully wipe the rod on which slides the Diffusor.

[CarlosV]

I have a number of variants of the Pathé Diffusor, including two of the linear tracking type shown above (one of which I had to restore over the Christmas break after it suffered a feline attack). These table top models share the same motor, which is quite weak, and will only play records in very good shape. Worn records will drag it down to a halt. The larger Diffusor models with louvers on the lid have better motors and can play well even worn records. They are nice machines with a unique design, fun to collect. The only problem is that these paper cones are not designed to be replaceable, unlike the US Actuelle which can be removed by unscrewing the sides of the frame: they are held by rivets to the aluminum frame. When I tried to remove one of these rivets on a damaged diaphragm with a tool, the aluminum frame got deformed, and I gave up trying: even if I succeeded in removing all rivets the frame would end up completely distorted and moreover I don't think I would find replacement aluminum rivets to fix a new paper cone.

[PeterF]

Thanks for that insight!

I’ve luckily not had to replace a Diffusor cone yet, but have done so successfully on my Actuelle (as you described). I have two of the large louvered-top models, one each of the lateral- and arc- styles. Each has issues at the center of the cone, where the stylus holder mounts.

My plan is to fabricate a smaller cone-shaped reinforcement for the underside and glue it in place, perhaps spray painting the entire underside afterwards to get a uniform appearance.

We have also previously talked here about gluing medical gauze across the underside of cone tears to stabilize them.

[Curt A]

Carlos,
On the deformed aluminum frame that you mentioned, wouldn't it be possible to drill the rivets out, instead of prying them? Straighten the frame, once they are all out, then replace the rivets with small slotted screws... I know that this in not original, but would allow possible future repairs if needed and the function would be the same. Use the old cone as a template and try replacing it with laminated black paper. I use laminated paper to make oscillators for the Polly portables and it works great... The Pathé cone functions basically the same as the Polly portable - it's just a big diaphragm.

Curt

[CarlosV]

Carlos,
On the deformed aluminum frame that you mentioned, wouldn't it be possible to drill the rivets out, instead of prying them? Straighten the frame, once they are all out, then replace the rivets with small slotted screws... I know that this in not original, but would allow possible future repairs if needed and the function would be the same. Use the old cone as a template and try replacing it with laminated black paper. I use laminated paper to make oscillators for the Polly portables and it works great... The Pathé cone functions basically the same as the Polly portable - it's just a big diaphragm.

Curt

That's a good suggestion, Curt. The rivets are all aluminum as the frame, so it should be doable to drill them out. I have three or four of these with damaged diaphragms, it will be worthy trying. The original diaphragm utilizes a Japanese cardpaper (the water mark is visible in some of the cones) similar to the paper used in loudspeakers, painted in burgundy.The exact type of paper probably will be difficult to find today, so it would take some experimenting to get a workable replacement. I just did not get exactly what is laminated paper, is it plastic-coated paper?

[CarlosV]

My plan is to fabricate a smaller cone-shaped reinforcement for the underside and glue it in place, perhaps spray painting the entire underside afterwards to get a uniform appearance.

What I did in one of mine was to cut two small cone reinforcements out of a heavier paper, unscrew the two metal cones that hold the needle, place one reinforcement on each side of the diaphragm and screw back the two metal cones. The reinforcements are visible, I did not try to conceal them, but they fit well visually and provide the rigidity to the end of the cone. I did not glue them, they are well fixed by the two metal cones. You can try it, and if you don't like the result you can always take them off.