One More Pooley-Victrola VTLA Back to Life

[Django]

With a motor transplanted from a Victor D, the liquor cabinet is a phonograph again, The motor came from Craigslist in CA, (thanks CharliePhono for setting me up). The bell of the horn came from Jerry B.

I made the back third of the horn, machined a new spindle and parts to convert the Victor D motor to a yielding turntable, serviced the motor, made the motor board from the remains of an old table, (the hardware, dimensions and edge profile of the motor board were copied from Skihawx’s Pooley VTLA, (thanks Jeff). The dimensions and joinery for the drawer were also copied from Skihawx’s machine. Thanks to John Duffy and Jerry B for advice and encouragement.

I guess that’s about it. The picture of the motor board was taken prior the the addition of the rubber bumpers. Some may consider it a Frankenphone. I would have preferred to use all original parts, but that wasn’t likely to happen. It’s not all original, but I think that it will have to be close enough for now. It sounds good and plays well, so I am happy.

[phonogfp]

Very nice job on a worthwhile project! Congratulations!

George P.

[Phono-Phan]

Fantastic job!!!! Thanks to all that helped locate the missing items. It looks like you need one more piston brake screw?

[martinola]

Wow! Very nice! Congratulations on saving another rare machine!

Martin

[Jerry B.]

It pleases me!

Jerry B.

[Garret]

Truly a worthy project! Thanks for sharing!

[TinfoilPhono]

Great job and a wonderful save of a worthy machine. Nice to see it come back to life.

[Ben the phono man]

Incredible job on the motorboard, Looks original! Amazing skills! I didn't think you would ever find that motor.

Ben

[alang]

Awesome resurrection of a worthy machine! Thanks for letting us participate in the process!

Andreas

[Django]

Awesome resurrection of a worthy machine! Thanks for letting us participate in the process!

Andreas

I appreciate all of the kind comments and the encouragement and guidance that I received during the project. Without the help that forum members provided, this machine would not be complete, and may have always remained incomplete.

The pictures of the motor board are under fluorescent lighting, so it is a bit harsh. I had a difficult time getting the color and finish right, (four attempts). They didn’t grain fill the motor boards and the underside generally has minimal finish. The metal corner pieces position the motor board in the cabinet and are copies of an original.

I was quite ignorant regarding Pooley VTLA Victrolas when I began this project. I had initially assumed that parts from a later L-Door would fit, but this one is apparently from the first batch of 500. I couldn’t pass it up when I found it on Facebook Marketplace. The seller told me that she had bought it from a person that had made it into a liquor cabinet. She had hoped that she and her husband could restore it, but they were unable to find the parts, so she listed it. Fortunately for me, the cast ring for the horn was present and I found the crank in the back of the cabinet.

It’s a good thing that I’m not paying myself by the hour.