What did Santa bring you?

[Valecnik]

My goodness!

You must have been an incredibly good boy, a saint. I hope you left Santa a lot of cookies and milk, and maybe a bottle of rum!

[bostonmike1]

I thought it might be nice to see what phono & gramy related items Santa left under your tree this year.

After wanting one for about 30 years, I finally got an Edison shaving machine!
It's the later 4 minute shaver that uses a metal blade to shave the entire length of the cylinder.
Unfortunately, the upper mechanism has been repainted black (including the mandrel), and the handle that controls the blade pressure had also been replaced with a very loooong handle. A friend of a friend has an original handle that he's going to try & find for me, but for now I've replaced it with a file handle that looks more the part.
It works remarkably well, leaving the cylinder quite smooth, although I am tempted to try & sharpen one side of the reversible blade (which would give 2 new cutting edges), but I'm not sure if a sharpening stone or fine wet & dry sandpaper would be the best way to go.
Anyone experimented with sharpening one of these blades before?

Anyway, here's a couple before & after pictures of the shaver, which I think? dates from about 1912.
I gave the cabinet a clean & wax, and rather than strip the black paint & refinishing the mechanism, I just stripped & polished the mandrel, cleaned & oiled all the bearings (yes, all 3 of them!) and gave the existing black paint a coat of shellac to give it a more authentic look.
I'm pretty happy with how it looks & performs now, though I'm looking forward to adding the original handle once it's found.

edishave unrestored 012.JPG

edishave unrestored 010.JPG

edishave unrestored 013.JPG

Edison shaver restored 004.JPG

Edison shaver restored 009.JPG

Edison shaver restored 013.JPG

So what little treasures did Santa leave for you this year?

Shane----Beautiful shaver!! If I lived in Australia I would be over your home to have you show me this old time technology. I would love to have one of these!
As a certified tool and die-maker for over 43 years I strongly recogmend you only use a sharpening stone ( called an Indian stone here in the States)of medium to fine.If you wish I would be more than happy to send you one of each when I reopen the shop after the holidays January 3rd.Do not use the sandpaper you mentioned!!While one thinks they are removing the "dings" on the damaged edge, if you look at it closely under a microscope,you are causing more problems by leaving small striations. It may look sharp to the naked eye and will even feel sharp to the touch,but with wax cylinders your margin for error is practically zero.I never resharpen any of my lathe tool-bits with nothing other than a stone. It takes longer ---have patience---and do it under a lighted magnifying lamp. you will be pleased with the results. Good luck and let me know if you want the stones sent to you.

[bostonmike1]

I received one gift that may remotely qualify as phonograph related----a three pack of Hanes underwear.I suppose I can stuff them into my morninglory horn on my Edison Home and call it a volume control .Other than that, that fat bastard in a red suit never delivered my Triumph. Probably kept it for himself to sell on Ebay.

[HisMastersVoice]

Santa brought me 3 Victor picture discs (Paul Whiteman, Noel Coward, and Music is in the Air), a Victor Belt buckle and tie clip from RCA, and a gorgeous stained glass panel that was made to look like my Victor III (right down to the plant sitting next to it!). I can't wait to hang it in the front window, the Christmas tree is currently blocking my access...

[bostonmike1]

Santa brought me 3 Victor picture discs (Paul Whiteman, Noel Coward, and Music is in the Air), a Victor Belt buckle and tie clip from RCA, and a gorgeous stained glass panel that was made to look like my Victor III (right down to the plant sitting next to it!). I can't wait to hang it in the front window, the Christmas tree is currently blocking my access...

photo.JPG

Brandon-----The stained glass panel you received as a gift is without a doubt a work of art!! When you hang that in your front window that baby is going to sparkle. One word of advice so you do not make the same mistake I did many years ago, have it framed since it is only held together by foil,the lead channeled exterior and the solder that holds the individual glass pieces together. Over time it will sag. You are more than likely aware of this fact, but it is just a reminder since it would be shame to lose a piece such as this.That is true craftsmanship.If it was me, I would kick the Christmas tree to the curb or put it in the attic-----and hang that panel now

[HisMastersVoice]

Brandon-----The stained glass panel you received as a gift is without a doubt a work of art!! When you hang that in your front window that baby is going to sparkle. One word of advice so you do not make the same mistake I did many years ago, have it framed since it is only held together by foil,the lead channeled exterior and the solder that holds the individual glass pieces together. Over time it will sag. You are more than likely aware of this fact, but it is just a reminder since it would be shame to lose a piece such as this.That is true craftsmanship.If it was me, I would kick the Christmas tree to the curb or put it in the attic-----and hang that panel now

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the artist actually framed it with steel bars and welded the loops for the chain on the top. She has larger, similarly framed panels hanging in the studio (which is just down the road from me) and has no issues with them.

[Phonofreak]

Santa gave me a Maroon Gem Model D. I have been after one of these for many years.
Harvey Kravitz

[Holo]

Santa brought me my very first phonograph, a floor model Victor VV-XI. It isn't flashy or extravagant but goodness, I'll cherish it forever.

[CarGuyZM10]

I got a digital camera so I can take photos of my phonographs and record videos of them. I just can't figure out how to take a picture of it...

I also got socks, which could also be used to quiet down my Edison Standard

[MTPhono]

Hey G-Shane,

Here are a few shots of my similar shaver. It came from the Dave Heitz collection so I assume that it is correct.

Regards,
Scott