Newbie: Info on Edison Home

[jchawner]

Hello.

I'm a first time poster and total newbie when it comes to Edison phonographs.

Long story short, I'm attempting to refurb the Edison Home in the attached photo. Serial number is H236705. The case has the small "Edison" logo and not the banner logo like a lot of the photos I see online. Can anyone tell me anything else about this device based on that info? For example, I don't know the model number.

I'm going to need to replace the reproducer because the one I have lacks a stylus. Can anyone recommend a reputable place to get a reproducer? (The one I have has a number on it if that's important.)

All advice appreciated. So far I've been watching as many YouTube videos as I can. Also, my mechanical skills are... "limited."

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to getting this thing working again.

[FellowCollector]

Hi and welcome! You have an Edison Home Phonograph model B with the factory released 2 minute gearing. The 14" brass bell horn appears to be original based on the small end which was crimped with the cone section versus reproduction 14" brass bell horns which usually used a separate sleeve or collar that was soldered. You can get some 0000 steel wool to clean up the surface rust on the carriage shaft and other places as long as you're careful. Lubricate with my favorite "Zoom Spout" oil that can be found at Ace Hardware stores. There are several good sources for Edison model C (2 minute) reproducer styli. Just search this Forum and you should find some of them. Good luck!

Doug

[jchawner]

Thank you, Doug, for the quick reply and info.

I've got 0000 steel wool from cleaning the wood parts and plan to use that on the metal parts too. (Got that info from YouTuber Dyslexic Genius.) But right now I'm struggling with a stuck bushing on the end of the mandrel shaft which is preventing me from removing it. (Which will make cleaning the mandrel and the bed plate a lot easier.) Someone recommended using brass wool (not steel) on the screw to prevent messing up the threads. Thoughts on that? Thanks for the tip on the oil - there's an Ace Hardware nearby.

Thanks again.

[FellowCollector]

You're very welcome. The collar on the end of the 2 minute Edison Home model B mandrel shaft can be a real challenge to remove especially when the upper works have been exposed to a rather moisture rich environment resulting in some surface oxidation as yours has. What I have done in the past to remove stubborn mandrel shaft collars like this (after removing its set screw and applying appropriate lubricants) was to wrap a sufficient amount of rags around the collar to prevent scarring. Then I grab onto the collar with my favorite vice grips applying just enough "grip" so that the collar doesn't slip. It's a tricky area to get an appropriate grip on the collar but eventually you should be able to carefully twist and turn the collar to free it up and remove it. Other members here may have better options for removing that collar but this is what usually worked for me. The purpose of the collar was to maintain the lateral position of the mandrel shaft when the end gate is opened and a cylinder is being removed. As I'm sure you have found, there is a small lug cast into the upper casting that limits the lateral movement of the collar (and therefore, the mandrel shaft). Good luck!

Doug

[jchawner]

Doug:

After multiple applications of a penetrating lubricant, I was able to get the collar off and then pull the mandrel and its shaft clear of its mount. So the entire top of the bed plate was made available for cleaning and round one of that is done. After a second round, I'll turn my attending to the mandrel and mandrel shaft.

In what I consider to be good news, I turned over the bed plate and just brushed against the governor and the whole works started turning. So just a bit of cleaning and then lube down there and we should be good to go.

Thanks for the advice.

[jchawner]

Doug:

After multiple applications of a penetrating lubricant, I was able to get the collar off and then pull the mandrel and its shaft clear of its mount. So the entire top of the bed plate was made available for cleaning and round one of that is done. After a second round, I'll turn my attention to the mandrel and mandrel shaft.

In what I consider to be good news, I turned over the bed plate and just brushed against the governor and the whole works started turning. So just a bit of cleaning and then lube down there and we should be good to go.

Thanks for the advice.

[AmberolaAndy]

If you wanna know how old your machine is, your machine left the factory in December 1906.