Columbia BI -Finished! (Almost)

[Curt A]

Acetone is something you would probably want to use outdoors. For indoor use, you might try CitrisStrip, which is a little easier on your hands in case you spill any, but still wear gloves... It comes in both brush on or spray cans.

[Gnufe]

Congrats! I had considered going and looking at that one. It wasn’t far from me, but ended up passing on it. I hope you are able to bring it back!

Stuart

[mattrx]

Matt,

Should it have a dust ring?

Jerry

Jerry,

Certainly, I'm no expert on Columbias. I've only owned one Columbia outside horn machine. It was BN, and it did have a dust ring. This machine does not, and I see no holes on the motor board where one would have attached. Pictures I've seen online show a dust ring, but there is no sign there ever was one on this machine.

I remember being told that my BN was unusual in that it did have a dust ring by one forum member. I suspect there was quite a bit of variation in each Columbia line.

Matt

[drh]

Or you could just give it a coat of silver spray paint over the gold.



Nice looking machine despite the paint job. At least it's limited to the metal parts and not the original wood finish. Every time I see something like this, it reminds me of my mom--when she got to a certain (elevated) age, she, too, went through what I call her "golden years": anything that couldn't run away fast enough would get at least some kind of gold touches. (Fortunately for him, the cat was quite quick-footed!)

[drh]

Matt,

Should it have a dust ring?

Jerry

Jerry,

Certainly, I'm no expert on Columbias. I've only owned one Columbia outside horn machine. It was BN, and it did have a dust ring. This machine does not, and I see no holes on the motor board where one would have attached. Pictures I've seen online show a dust ring, but there is no sign there ever was one on this machine.

I remember being told that my BN was unusual in that it did have a dust ring by one forum member. I suspect there was quite a bit of variation in each Columbia line.

Matt

According to the Columbia Phonograph Companion, "Advertised as the first Columbia to offer the Aluminum Tone Arm, this machine had a nine petal Nickel floral horn with a 22" bell and Analyzing reproducer. The Golden Quartered Oak cabinet was carried over from the style AH and had a 'piano' (highly polished) finish. The motor had two springs and a two ball governor which would play three records with a single winding. [Size of records not specified in the book. -- Ed.] All exposed hardware, including the horn bracket and 10" turntable, was nickel plated. In 1908, the double spring motor was replaced by a triple spring motor. An ornamental ring was added around the turntable at this time. A matching wood horn was available for an additional $5.00." (Emphasis added.) The machine was introduced in 1905 at an original price of $45. The one pictured in the book does not have a ring.

[Lucius1958]

Matt,

Should it have a dust ring?

Jerry

Not necessarily: my BI does not have one, nor is there any evidence it ever did.

-Bill

[Jerry B.]

I've seen the Columbia BI both with and without a dust ring. I am pleased to read that David's does not appear to ever having one.

But this was too funny!

reminds me of my mom--when she got to a certain (elevated) age, she, too, went through what I call her "golden years": anything that couldn't run away fast enough would get at least some kind of gold touches. (Fortunately for him, the cat was quite quick-footed!)

Jerry B.

[mattrx]

Drh,

The machine does have a 2 spring motor and 2 weight governor, so it matches your info perfectly. The analyzing reproducer is the one with the spring loaded needle chuck, correct? If so, that matches also. I thing David did well. The case will clean up very nicely.

Nashville Plating can do a great job of replating if you wish, David. It may be a little pricey. You might be able to find a nice original cheaper than having this one redone. Nashville plating did my VV-X tabletop metal parts and did a very nice job.

Matt

[JohnM]

Use acetone. Won’t hurt the plating. Acetone evaporates very quickly and you don’t want to breathe the vapors, so be sure to cover the container that you are using to soak the parts in. You can even use aluminum foil, but if you use more than one width, fold the edges together to make a seal. Acetone will dissolve some plastics.

[Lucius1958]

According to the Columbia Phonograph Companion, "Advertised as the first Columbia to offer the Aluminum Tone Arm, this machine had a nine petal Nickel floral horn with a 22" bell and Analyzing reproducer. The Golden Quartered Oak cabinet was carried over from the style AH and had a 'piano' (highly polished) finish. The motor had two springs and a two ball governor which would play three records with a single winding. [Size of records not specified in the book. -- Ed.] All exposed hardware, including the horn bracket and 10" turntable, was nickel plated. In 1908, the double spring motor was replaced by a triple spring motor. An ornamental ring was added around the turntable at this time. A matching wood horn was available for an additional $5.00." (Emphasis added.) The machine was introduced in 1905 at an original price of $45. The one pictured in the book does not have a ring.

That makes me wonder about mine. It has no dust ring, and a double spring motor; but the case has only a late style "profile" decal.

-Bill