Always learning a new one

[edisonclassm]

I've been in this hobby for 56 years and I'm still learning. I recently bought a Harvard disc phonograph impulsively at Stanton's and when I got a better look at it thought it was a married together piece of junk. Upon closer examination I realized it wasn't. Attached is a photograph of the horn elbow. It is made of rubber similar to those found on a Kalamazoo Duplex. I have over the years come across the straight brass end seen on the Columbia style horn and thought them to be for use on a cylinder phonograph. Apparently they were not. Now it makes more sense!

[VanEpsFan1914]

That's great--and your new machine looks to be in decent shape for its age, too. Thanks for sharing this obscure fact!

[gramophoneshane]

There's a couple threads you might like to read with pictures of these rubber elbows, and the difference ones use by Columbia.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21429&p=256657&hili ... rd#p256657

[FellowCollector]

Very nice, Paul. On first glance at the elbow itself I thought it was paper mache due to the layered appearance in the picture. I'm amazed to hear that it is rubber! Thanks for sharing.

Doug

[Daithi]

If it ever breaks down it could easily be replaced by a radiator hose pipe elbow out of an automobile or similar as can be found in most scrapyards.

[Orchorsol]

Presumably something like antique self-amalgamating tape?

[phonojim]

At first glance I was thinking friction tape which is used as an electrical tape. When properly applied it will remain tight and it seems to have an infinite lifetime.

Jim

[edisonclassm]

Somebody taped it up in an attempt to hold it together. The rubber is no doubt deteriorating and needs to be propped up with tape. As far as using a radiator hose, The original is molded to accommodate two different dimensions at either end. Maybe I could find something that would be similar at the auto parts store?

[gramophone-georg]

What about black electrical shrink wrap over the outside? Some of it will shrink down to ½ its size when heat is applied.

[Curt A]

A radiator hose elbow can probably be heated to allow it to be pushed onto one end or the other, if needed to accommodate a different size... Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm it up.