Need Amber Wheel and shoe for Columbia BC

[toysbyroy]

I am completing the restoration of a Columbia BC. Anyone know where I might obtain an amber wheel and shoe? Thanks, Roy

[pallophotophone]

I am completing the restoration of a Columbia BC. Anyone know where I might obtain an amber wheel and shoe? Thanks, Roy

Hello Roy,

If you find someone that can supply a quality replacement for the amber wheel and vulcanite shoe, I think many collectors would make a beeline for their door. Including myself. Those are the 2 things that get in the way of restoring the BC. And a quality job it has to be. Anything less will be a waste of money and time.

I've heard a properly operating BC, in person, and it is truly astounding.


I Wish You Luck !!!

Bob

[Lucius1958]

Some restorers have used Lucite (or some similar plastic) for the wheel: it has the same friction characteristics as amber, besides being much more available.

As for the shoe, Eric Reiss mentions that Reid Welch crafted one out of "Bondo", which performed very well. You would have to have the linkages, though, to fit to it...

-Bill

[phonosandradios]

I wasn't familiar with these so I looked it up on you tube and found this video. Is anyone able to explain how the spinning friction wheel results in additional amplification of the sound? It looks like the needle is connected to a bar which rests against the turning black wheel and the diaphragm is similarly connected to another bar which also rests against the same spinning wheel. But how exactly does this amplify the sound? It is an impressive looking and sounding machine but I'd love to know how it actually works.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in high quality.)

[FellowCollector]

I'm looking to get my Columbia BC singing again as well but it seems that there is no one able to do it. The one person who DID successfully get a Columbia BC singing perfectly again was Reid Welch. And I believe the video you posted featured the same Columbia BC that Reid successfully restored.

Here is a video that Reid posted years ago on YouTube where he explains some of what he did to get this Columbia BC singing again.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

Here are pictures of my Columbia BC.

Doug

[phonosandradios]

Fascinating. Thanks for pointing out that video showing how it works - how ingenious! It seems the poster made replacement parts that were much more reliable and durable than the originals. Is the poster of that you tube video not contactable? I wonder if this is something that the amazing skills of micamonster would be able to solve? He seems to be able to work miracles especially as a workaround using modern materials that are proven to work are shown in that video. I truly believe that if he couldn't mange to make suitable parts then no one could. I'd give him a shout if it were me.

[Raphael]

Paul Baker has made these in the past, and if I am not mistaken Wyatt Marcus did so as well.

Raphael

[toysbyroy]

I contacted Paul Baker who replied that he would be making replacement parts and that I should check back with him in October. I will post results here at that time. Roy

[toysbyroy]

Pics of my BC