Some musings/questions about a new Victor III project

[FloridaClay]

While most of us prefer the patina of originality, a point of deterioration is reached [a very subjective judgement] where anything done would be an improvement over leaving the machine in a deplorable state. I would not be too judgmental about anything that upgrades an eyesore to a better visual or operating condition. Yes, if I knew dependable people that could restore original parts by plating or painting for a reasonable cost, that is the route that I would prefer instead of using replica parts. While the end result might look the same either way, I would have satisfaction knowing that original parts still remain under the veneer of new cosmetics. But if I had to use replica parts instead, so be it. Here's another angle to ponder: besides yourself, who do you want to please with this preservation, a small group of collecting purists or a less judgmental public someplace in the future? Sometime down the line, that machine must be appreciated to survive.

Thanks "Vintage." I am leaning toward picking the approach you suggest, albeit it may be a bit more expensive. And your last point is an excellent one IMHO.

Clay

[Le0]

if thew plating or paint is gone, I don't see any problem with a restoration.
it's yours so I think YOU should decide if it looks better restored or all rusty.

[mattrx]

Clay, may I ask you a question about your machine? The crank escutcheon on my Vic III is little more than a plate screwed on that has a hole in it. Most other Victor crank escutcheons I have dealt with have a sleeve that goes through the wall of the phono in addition to the plate. As a result of no sleeve, the escutcheon on mine is wearing a groove in the crank at an alarming rate. Having said all this, how is the crank on your machine constructed?

As for the restoration, while I do not want my machines to look brand new, I would want it to be presentable and marketable in the future. I would lean toward having the parts restored, but lean away from using reproduction parts if at all possible. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks,
Matt

[FloridaClay]

Hi Matt,

Your description of the escutcheon is exactly right, i.e. a flat plate held on by 2 screws, so it sounds like you have the proper one. (Go back in this thread to look at the parts illustration sheet and you will see it in the "winding key group" at the bottom center.) If it is wearing a grove in the crack, though, something is throwing the alignment of the hole for the crank and the shaft where the crank attaches off.

Clay

[FloridaClay]

A bit of an update. The rebuilt motor is back from George V and working well. It turned out that when I got it, someone had at some point forced a later steel turntable on the machine, which is why I couldn't get it off. Also in the process they had filed the top of the spindle to make it fit and screwed that up. I found a good original spindle to send to George, which he installed as part of the rebuild, at Wyatt's and bought an original cast iron turntable from George.

When the turntable arrived, it was in very good shape except that somebody had put an ill fitting piece of black synthetic felt on it. Of course that had to go.

I did some searching around the internet and ordered some samples of 100% wool felt from thefeltpeople.com (Central Shippee, Inc.). Their “Tempora” line, color #118, Moss, looked promising. Ordered a yard which arrived today. It looks very good and is a good color match for original Victor felt to my eye. It is high quality with none of the shininess you you see with synthetics. Installed it on the cast iron turntable and am fairly pleased with the result. A picture is below.

I am also going to install it on the turntable of a Columbia table top I have that has that pool table green synthetic on it now.

Clay

[phonogfp]

I must admit that from here, that new felt looks pretty good! Can you show a close-up?

George P.

[FloridaClay]

I must admit that from here, that new felt looks pretty good! Can you show a close-up?

George P.

George, sent you a PM.

Clay

[FloridaClay]

A little post script. The minimum order for this felt is a yard and it is not inexpensive, about $65 with shipping, but that gets you a piece 3 x 5 feet, so you should be able to cover 15 turntables with that (more if some of them are less than 12") and the quality is really first rate.

There is also a color called "Antique" that looks like it might work for the "orangeish" Orthophonics turntables, but that is judging from a tiny sample.

Clay

[phonogfp]

A little post script. The minimum order for this felt is a yard and it is not inexpensive, about $65 with shipping, but that gets you a piece 3 x 5 feet, so you should be able to cover 15 turntables with that (more if some of them are less than 12") and the quality is really first rate.

Clay

That's only $4.33 per turntable. I'd gladly pay that for proper color and texture. Thanks for the tip, Clay!

George P.

[FloridaClay]

Hello all. The VIC III is finally done. The replated parts came back from Victrola Repair Service yesterday and everything is now back together.

I am pleased with their approach to plating. It is not too shiny and they have left most of the old quirks of the metal intact. The result is a machine that just looks like a good survivor. Much better to my eye than what I was getting before when I took stuff to a local plating shop which made it all look brand new and perfect with a mirror finish and obviously redone. (It appears a bit shinier here than it really is due to the flash.)

The only things not period are the horn elbow, a reproduction; the turntable felt described earlier in the thread; and a new horn decal from Eduardo. I may replace the elbow later if I find a good original at a reasonable price. I finally decided just to leave the back bracket as found, save for a cleaning.

Clay