My First Phonograph: C-19 with some questions

[TylerG]

Well I got my first phonograph and I'm hooked. It all started when I found about 50 cylinders for fifty dollars and sold half to friend that collects them got my money back. Now I wanted a machine to play the rest. After looking around I found out that the good Edison cylinder players are not really in a 16 year old's budget. Switched my focus and boom one day I saw it, the one I loved, a Edison C-19. It came with 50 records and the manual and key and completed worked. After some fiddling with the reproducer and horn, I got it to work perfect with out skipping. Now, I have a problem with the mainspring jumping and bumping, is this a problem with the grease inside and how do I fix it with a 16 year old's budget? Also how far do you have to crank it, I feel that I don't want to crank it a lot but not to little? And another question, can you tell what year it is from by the serial number (145488) (Edison cabinet factory 33). I probably have some more questions later and I included a picture. That's for your help.

I'm also trying to find certain records(turkey in the straw, Georgia camp meeting, etc), if y'all know of any places to get them.I also have many to trade. Thanks

[52089]

Welcome to the forum and the hobby-slash-addiction!

The C-19 "Chippendale" is one of the workhorses of the Edison Diamond Disc line. You'll find lots of info using the search feature on the forum. I'd start by looking for posts about rebuilding your reproducer and making sure the stylus is still good and not damaging your records.

Diamond Disc springs are among the longest and strongest springs out there. It's possible to remove, clean, and replace them, adding new grease when you're done, but it's not a beginner's job and is quite dangerous if you're not very careful - and very strong. As a stopgap, you can try just adding new grease to the spring barrels. After a few times through a full winding, the bumping will probably go away.

Don't worry about overwinding, there's really no such thing. From a dead stop, my C-19 takes about 110 turns of the crank to be fully wound. Yes, really, 110.

There is a "Yankee Trader" section here where you can post info on what records you want and what you have to trade.

As for dating your machine, the C-19 was in production from 1919 to the mid-20s, but I'm not aware of a more specific date and serial number chart.

I hope that answers your initial questions. Like I said, there's a lot of really good info on the board, so search away and ask questions too!

[Jerry B.]

Your C-19 is a classic Diamond Disk and a fine machine and yours looks like a very attractive example. Jerry Blais

PM sent with a few suggestions.

[phononut]

Hi There,
I can tell you now, once you get your first machine you just can't stop! I am 15, and it's nice to know there are others around my age interested.

You can do a motor rebuild yourself with a little patience. Trust me, for the experience and money saved it is really worth it to do it yourself, however that goes without saying there are some people who truly do great repair work and are a pleasure to do business with. Don't jump right in and make some of the mistakes that I made, as dealing with springs without safety precautions and knowledge is sure to induce injury. There are many resources that can help you with details on how to do a thorough and safe rebuild. If you are going to continue collecting repair work is really a necessity to learn, and it is actually quite pleasurable.

Regards,
Brad

[morgantheavenger]

You should get the book of the complete talking machine by Eric l Reiss a good book for the average gramophone collector. I'm 18 and I have 6 gramophones in my collection most work is done by myself with a buddy that knows a lot so learn by doing some stuff on the motor. take it apart and examine the motor that's usually where I start and end. you will learn lots about the motor and it's parts and how it operates hope you enjoy have a good day

[Victrolacollector]

Some if not all Edison DD motors have a grease hole in the spring barrel where you can add grease to the mainspring without opening the barrels.

[mattrx]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I have a C-19 that looks very much like yours. It plays well, and as previously stated, is a work horse. I would caution you about working with the springs. While I agree that you should learn to do things yourself if you are going to seriously collect machines, you also need to proceed with caution so as not to create more problems than you initially have (and not cut off any needed appendages). I had collected for 2 years before I opened a spring barrel and I still do so with caution. I have not opened the barrels on my triumph or my C-19 and will probably send them off should they need work. They are very strong springs and I am told very hard to work with.

"The Compleat Talking Machine" is an excellent reference book and should be read more than once, then referred to often. There is a part of the medical oath that says "First, do no harm". I made a few expensive mistakes early on, and learned from each of them. I am sure there are more to come. I try to approach machines in a slower and more patient manner now, after a couple of years collecting. You should experiment some and expand your abilities, but also know your limitations and don't permanently harm a machine by being over zealous. Take your time, read, practice, and learn. Patience is not my strong suit but this hobby is really helping me learn to be patient and take my time.

Good luck and Happy Collecting!

Matt

[TylerG]

I found the hole in the mainspring to put grease. Should I put some grease like lithium grease or some oil like sewing oil in to help?

The reproducer seems to work fine. I don't know how to tell if it worn or not, but I do have a small video of it playing if that would help.

Thanks for the help everybody

[alang]

Tyler, welcome to the forum and congratulations to your first machine.

For the spring barrel you should use something like lithium moly grease or similar, some also add very thick oil instead. Sewing machine oil is way too thin for the springs. you should use that for bearings etc. Many Diamond Disc machines usually have several oiling holes under the turntable from where the oil travels ins small pipes exactly to the places it is needed. I don't own a C-19, but I think it should also have these holes. Here is a link to the original user manual http://www.nipperhead.com/old/ddisc.htm, and here is the motor repair manual http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=2&t=476

Good luck and enjoy your machine
Andreas

[Victrolacollector]

Just as Andreas said there are oiling holes under the turntable where you would just add some oil to each hole and it will run to the appropriate places. Sometimes, these oil hole tubes can become plugged up with old oil and dirt, and may have to be cleaned or replaced.

As far as your DD reproducer. It should have fresh gaskets installed and if your diamond stylus is bad it should be replaced. I used to do these rebuilds for the locals around here but do not have time to do it anymore. There are people on this board that can do it or can recommend you some rebuilders.

Enjoy your Edison DD there are alot of beautiful selections of music to enjoy, and may it provide warmth and enjoyment to your holiday season.