What is it ? Miraphone ?

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
JeffR1
Victor III
Posts: 555
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:04 pm
Location: British Columbia Vancouver Island Canada

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by JeffR1 »

I's like to see how that horn was made.
Made in sections and soldered together.

I can't see it being spun out of a single piece of brass, but maybe in sections.
Sections were pressed and then soldered ?

CarlosV
Victor V
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Location: Luxembourg

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by CarlosV »

Steve wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 3:38 pm
phonodesbois wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 5:59 am CarlosV, later on, could you give some tips on how you wille hide the worm holes on this nice machine?
If you read the previous post you'll see Carlos already answered! ;)
Phono, you can buy wax stick sets and a battery-powered waxing tool in Amazon or similar store. A large set of sticks will make it easier to blend the different hues to match the colour of the machine veneer. Before doing this I always treat the wood by injecting a worm killing product in every hole. Filling the holes with the wax is easy, as it is to remove the excess wax once it sets (the tool set comes with plastic spatulas). The only more involved step is to match colours, it is like mixing paints, but the good part is that you can remelt the wax and try again if the result is not good. The melting temperature of such wax is relatively high, so unless you carry the machine to the Sahara, the wax will remain stable.

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epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
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Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by epigramophone »

CarlosV wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 9:55 am The melting temperature of such wax is relatively high, so unless you carry the machine to the Sahara, the wax will remain stable.
Unlike the experience of a friend who must have used the wrong wax. He made the mistake of placing his machine where it was exposed to strong sunshine, and the wax came out of the holes looking like worms.

Sidewinder
Victor III
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:51 am

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by Sidewinder »

JeffR1 wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 4:39 pm I's like to see how that horn was made.
Made in sections and soldered together.

I can't see it being spun out of a single piece of brass, but maybe in sections.
Sections were pressed and then soldered ?
My recollection is the latter - spun out of a single piece of brass

I have a similar one but am only home on Friday & will make more detailed photographs to illustrate the manufacture

phonodesbois
Victor II
Posts: 266
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:33 am
Location: France

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by phonodesbois »

CarlosV wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 9:55 am
Phono, you can buy wax stick sets and a battery-powered waxing tool in Amazon or similar store. A large set of sticks will make it easier to blend the different hues to match the colour of the machine veneer. Before doing this I always treat the wood by injecting a worm killing product in every hole. Filling the holes with the wax is easy, as it is to remove the excess wax once it sets (the tool set comes with plastic spatulas). The only more involved step is to match colours, it is like mixing paints, but the good part is that you can remelt the wax and try again if the result is not good. The melting temperature of such wax is relatively high, so unless you carry the machine to the Sahara, the wax will remain stable.
Thanks CarlosV, I will make some shopping....

Sidewinder
Victor III
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:51 am

Re: What is it ? Miraphone ?

Post by Sidewinder »

I looked at my horn. It is 1 sheet of brass with no join. My assumption is that they started with a circular brass sheet on a lathe & formed it over a wooden form on the lathe.

Mine is a little "unsmooth", but has a great colour!
Attachments
lhorn.jpg

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