Victor VTLA

[BillH_NJ]

My XVI, #15993 B, has been joined by a VTLA, #6420. It had a Columbia reproducer on it and it is missing the shelf below the horn, but it does have 8 of the 10 boxes. With an Exhibition soundbox on it everything is working. I need to clean it up and reglue some loose veneer, but now my main problem is to find a place for everything. I have been using hide glue and clamping the veneer down under another board. Is there any other recommended alternative?

Bill

[Django]

In regard to the gluing of the veneer, I put waxed paper over a soft pine board and clamp lightly. You might want to let the cabinet acclimate before gluing, (once glued the veneer is forced to move with the plywood beneath). Very nice find. Is there a story to go with it?

[mick_vt]

I soften the veneer with a little water (applied with a syringe) for a few minutes before gluing.It takes the glue better and makes it less likely to crack as it is eased back in place

[mattrx]

In regard to the gluing of the veneer, I put waxed paper over a soft pine board and clamp lightly. You might want to let the cabinet acclimate before gluing, (once glued the veneer is forced to move with the plywood beneath). Very nice find. Is there a story to go with it?

This is exactly the method I use. For small areas, I inject liquid hide glue under the veneer with a 10ml syringe and a 20 gauge needle, then clamp.

Congratulations on a great find! My first phonograph was a VTLA that had been in my wife's family. It is still my favorite!

[phonojim]

That's a nice early serial number. Mine is 32XX. Those are really neat machines and I have always liked them. I have similar veneer problems with mine but I haven't gotten around to regluing it yet. Great find.

Jim

[BillH_NJ]

Thanks! I have cleaned the finish up somewhat and have cleaned and lubricated the motor, but will wait a bit to reglue the veneer. The B is in good shape but it is nice to have an even earlier one. It did have mismatched weights on the governor and still needs the correct lid support, but otherwise it’s looking good. It is cleaning up nicely—not bad for $150 with most of the record boxes.

Bill

[BillH_NJ]

I do see that the shelf from my other XVI is too deep for this machine. There are two blocks on the lower rear panel on this one that stop the shelf at 20-5/16” when I slide it in. The shelf from the other machine is 22” long, so it definitely won’t fit. However, it is 21” to the rear panel between those blocks. Are they original? What dimensions did the shelf have over the few modifications to the L-door machines?

Bill