Weekend Find - Look!

[Jerry B.]

I bought a late Columbia AT and a mahogany disk record cabinet this weekend. The AT is complete except for the crank and the pot metal carriage is frozen. My initial thought was to sell the AT "as is" in the Yankee Trader section. I've collected many years and never tackled a pot metal carriage so I though this would be as good a time as any. I'll post more photos later. Jerry Blais

[Phototone]

I've never quite understood why Columbia made near-identical machines with the only visible difference being the reproducer mount.
This model being on top the cylinder, other near-identical model being front of cylinder.

[phonogfp]

Columbia marketed the new configuration (reproducer on top) as giving more volume due to more gravitational weight on the stylus. The frames of Types C (later), AA, and AO/AW were designed to position the reproducer over the record, and was referred to as a "drop frame." Even the AP and AQ conformed to this principle. The B-series (as well as the AZ) abandoned the floating reproducer so this configuration was no longer necessary.

George P.

[Jerry B.]

Here's an after photo. I repaired the carriage, cleaned the deck and cabinet. My problem now is with the mandrel. I had it off to get better access to the carriage and I wonder if I lost a washer. To remove the mandrel you remove a reverse thread nut. Next off is the pulley, then the little gear, then a very small thin washer, and finally a larger washer. What am I missing? Thanks, Jerry

[briankeith]

I am curious on what steps you took to repair the pot-metal carriage? I have the same AT where the carriage is also frozen tight and I was afraid to mess with it. Plus I have had some very bad experiences working with pot-metal on old 1920 era radio battery sets in the past. Brian Keith

[1923VictorFan]

What a cool set of finds for one weekend! The machine is really a handsome project. I actually think the Columbia cylinder machines look much nicer than the Edison products. I'm sure you will manage to get it all fixed-up at a reasonable cost. The cabinet is ALSO really nice! I'm jealous. I miss living in a large city when it comes to finding goodies. Please post pictures so we can see how they turn out!

[Andersun]

That really is a great looking machine! Thanks for posting. I have never repaired a Columbia before so I cannot help. Glad to see the forum become more active!

[Jerry B.]

Here are some photos of the finished record cabinet. The only remaining step is the piece of glass that I'm having cut for the top.

[Jerry B.]

Brian, The pot metal repair for this carriage was easy, probably because the pot metal was in relatively good condition. Once it was disassembled, I used fine sandpaper to reduce the tube on either side of the lift ring. Once this was done, I opened my vise so it was slightly wider than the tube and I was able to gently tap on the end with my rubber mallet. That moved the sliding ring to the side and I was able to file under the ring so it moves freely. Please note that my carriage does not display visible signs of cracking and other damage. Jerry Blais

[John Svensson]

That was some quick work on the cabinet! Beautiful finish.... John