How Many Cylinders On One Winding?

[Dave D]

I just finished repairing the Edison Home model A that I posted the photo of with the oxidized mandrel. It will play 4 Blue Amberols on one full winding. Does anyone know what the Edison factory specs called for? This has a 2/4 upgrade kit installed on it, before anyone chimes in that a model A is a two minute machine.

What kind of performance do you guys who regularly play your machines get?
Thanks,
Dave

[FellowCollector]

Playing 4 four minute Blue Amberol cylinders on a single winding for an Edison Home is excellent assuming the recording on each cylinder lasts at or near four minutes. There are some Edison Blue Amberols (ex: "Everything's At Home Except Your Wife") that are well short of 4 minutes.

[edisonphonoworks]

That is very good spring economy for a Home!! Very nice job!

[JerryVan]

Dave,

If your selection lasts for more than 4 cylinders seek medical attention immediately.

Seriously, 4 BA cylinders on one winding is great.

[Dave D]

Dave,

If your selection lasts for more than 4 cylinders seek medical attention immediately.

Seriously, 4 BA cylinders on one winding is great.

I am still laughing at that one, Jerry!
Dave

[Victrolacollector]

I have the Edison Home B with after market 2/4 minute attachment, how many 4 minute blue amberols should I be able to play on a winding?

[VintageTechnologies]

I have the Edison Home B with after market 2/4 minute attachment, how many 4 minute blue amberols should I be able to play on a winding?

Realistically, I'd say maybe two, particularly if you are playing with a diamond reproducer. I have also discovered it takes more torque to turn the mandrel on the 4M setting than it does the 2M setting. Machines with potmetal center bushings instead of end gates also have more friction to overcome.

To play four average 4M records requires 15 or 16 minutes run time, under actual load. I don't know if I have ever seen a single spring play that long. More important than squeezing out the maximum number of plays per winding, I don't wind the spring(s) fully each time. Thus in 45+ years, I have lost only two springs from metal fatigue; both broke while playing, not while winding.