Restoration: Kalamazoo Duplex

[cleveland1996]

Hello Everyone!!

I thought that folks on the forum might like to see the restoration of my Kalamazoo Duplex. I started this project with an incomplete machine missing the arm, yoke, horns, reproducer, and crank. Luckily over the last several years, I have tried to pick up as many Duplex parts as I could find, and it paid off for me.

You can see by the first picture what I started with. After obtaining the machine, I added my parts to complete it. Wonderful to have it complete, but this variation was far from where the machine should be.

I started with the case. The finish was terrible. About the only and best option was to redo the case completely. I used a mild stripper and removed the finish. I lightly sanded parts of the case to even the finish and stained areas that did not match up. After all of this, I applied roughly three coats of unwaxed shellac to build the finish. I lightly sanded between each application using 400 grit sandpaper. I then applied some Gregg Cline decals and let them fully dry overnight. Next I came back with three to four additional coats of regular waxed shellac, again lightly sanding in between coats, to give it a glossy finish.

Next.... to the horns. The horns were good and solid but were not pristine. One of the horns appeared to have been polished at some time, while the other one was dull from over 100 years of age. I first sanded the bodies of the horns slightly to slick them up and then taped off the bells and painted them gloss black (both inside and out). I then carried them to a local brass polisher who did his magic to get the bells shiny as they were when original. Next, I recovered the bodies of the horns. I used a light black Canvas-type fabric with a solid backing. I have used this material before and it works well. I like that it has the backing as this helps prevent the adhesive from bleeding through the fabric. Later, I added new H&S medallions to each horn so the machine will display as when new.

The motor would not hold after winding, so I had it gone through and serviced so that it would function as new. The turntable, brake, and speed control looked bad as the nickel plating was gone. I had these pieces renickeled. New turntable felt was added.

After the different things were all completed, I reassembled the machine. Not only did it look beautifully new, it also functions like a champ.

I have restored other Duplexes in the past, but this one is by far my favorite..Just looks and functions “out of the crate” new..

Joe

[phonogal]

Spectacular!

[dzavracky]

BRAVO!!

[fran604g]

Nice job Joe! Absolutely stunning.

Cheers,
Fran

[Curt A]

Really nice restoration... amazing that you could find the parts to complete this...

[AmberolaAndy]

Congrats on getting a very desirable machine up and running again! Most of us only get to see these machines in books and online. Great to see another example working again!

[Phono-Phan]

Very nice!!! Great job.

[Jerry B.]

A very nice transformation. Jerry B.

[tomb]

Great job Looks very nice. Tom

[cosmo666]

Looks beautiful Joe, fantastic job.