What was your most difficult restoration?

[Curt A]

WOW!!! The doll looks extremely good after a much needed facelift... that has to give you a great deal of satisfaction...
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=ht ... egUIARDpAQ

[pellicano1]

WOW!!! The doll looks extremely good after a much needed facelift... that has to give you a great deal of satisfaction...
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=ht ... egUIARDpAQ

Thanks!! The first go at it her face was a bit too orange-ish. Corrected this morning to the wife's delight lol. I'm very happy with her!

[mattrx]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11685

This (above link) has to be my most difficult restoration. The XVIII was in many pieces, had the wrong motor, horn and tone arm, and had one side partially stripped. With the help and advice of a number of forum members, a nice looking machine emerged. This is one machine I wish I had kept just due to all the work involved. A few years later, however, I found a very nice untouched (and undamaged) example that I have held on to. Three lessons learned. Hard work pays off. Patience also pays off. The members of this forum are generally helpful and generous with their knowledge and sometimes the needed parts. Again, wish I had kept this machine.

Matt

[Curt A]

Matt, thanks for bringing this restoration back to my attention. I had forgotten it, but apparently read it in 2015. I re-read the entire post and really enjoyed looking at the complete process, from junk machine to back from the dead... It turned out really great and goes to show that nothing is un-restorable if you put your mind to it...

If anyone else has had success in restoring hard projects, please post them...

[Django]

I apologize in advance to anyone tired of seeing this machine, but it fits the description of the post. It was my most difficult because it was so rough and because parts are nearly impossible to find. I also tried to leave it as original as possible while wanting it to be functional and presentable. The soundbox is rebuilt and polished, but not replated. The name tag received careful reshaping and minimal touch up. Some parts needed to be plated. The parts that I reproduced were made of the correct materials and the traveling arm itself is made from part of a sheet music stand trom the early part of the 20th century. I do want to thank fellow forum members for their help which made the restoration possible. Here are some before and after pictures. The traveling arm and hardware were reproduced by me along with the spring barrel and some motor parts. Having invested so much of myself into the restoration also made it the most rewarding and my favorite machine.

[Zwebie]

I apologize in advance to anyone tired of seeing this machine, but it fits the description of the post. It was my most difficult because it was so rough and because parts are nearly impossible to find. I also tried to leave it as original as possible while wanting it to be functional and presentable. The soundbox is rebuilt and polished, but not replated. The name tag received careful reshaping and minimal touch up. Some parts needed to be plated. The parts that I reproduced were made of the correct materials and the traveling arm itself is made from part of a sheet music stand trom the early part of the 20th century. I do want to thank fellow forum members for their help which made the restoration possible. Here are some before and after pictures. The traveling arm and hardware were reproduced by me along with the spring barrel and some motor parts. Having invested so much of myself into the restoration also made it the most rewarding and my favorite machine.

John, That was a Rough One, but you did a Wonderful Restoration!

Here's one that I restored for a local museum, that you have probably seen in my post: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31009&hilit=+restoration

Cheers, Bob S.

[Curt A]

John, what's to be tired of? It's a great restoration, from string wind to beautiful...

Bob, yours looks amazing, as well...

[Django]

I apologize in advance to anyone tired of seeing this machine, but it fits the description of the post. It was my most difficult because it was so rough and because parts are nearly impossible to find. I also tried to leave it as original as possible while wanting it to be functional and presentable. The soundbox is rebuilt and polished, but not replated. The name tag received careful reshaping and minimal touch up. Some parts needed to be plated. The parts that I reproduced were made of the correct materials and the traveling arm itself is made from part of a sheet music stand trom the early part of the 20th century. I do want to thank fellow forum members for their help which made the restoration possible. Here are some before and after pictures. The traveling arm and hardware were reproduced by me along with the spring barrel and some motor parts. Having invested so much of myself into the restoration also made it the most rewarding and my favorite machine.

John, That was a Rough One, but you did a Wonderful Restoration!

Here's one that I restored for a local museum, that you have probably seen in my post: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31009&hilit=+restoration

Cheers, Bob S.

Bob, your restoration of that machine was first rate. You also provided me with the crank for my Berliner and John Duffy did a great job reshaping the horn. Thank you for the kind words about my little Canadian Berliner.

Stay well,
George