RESTORATION: reviving a "skeleton" of a skeleton Edison Home

[Andersun]

This is the setup on my Home serial number H894. It looks like the screw was added to make sure the reproducer didn't rotate.

Steve

[MicaMonster]

*COUGHING UP BLACK DUST*

I took the donor casting, and cut out the serial number bubble. Sawed it back, and finally ground it to the right height. Coughing black dust. In my excitement to make this part today, I didn't bother wearing a dust mask.

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK, KIDS: "WEAR YOUR DUST MASKS!!!!"

I saved the "H" on the bubble. The numbers I am slowly wearing back with ultra-fine sandpaper.




That's all for today!

[Lucius1958]

This is the setup on my Home serial number H894. It looks like the screw was added to make sure the reproducer didn't rotate.

Steve

That seems to be a rather unusual arrangement: from what I see of Bill Kocher's example (#394), the carriage had a clamp on top. Could this be a later owner's adaptation?

Bill

[Chuck]

[quote="MicaMonster"]Dear fellow forum members:

Thomas A. Edison is my hero. I surround myself with evidences of his genius and apparatus of his inspiration. Am I a collector? ABSOLUTELY. The Edisonia I collect form a bridge in time between the laborious afternoons in the Menlo Park laboratory, and my 1870's farmhouse overlooking the Adirondack Mountains. A far cry from the cradle of West Orange, NJ. My admiration of Edison is one of the massive forces that continually inspires me. Ultimately to prove that nothing is impossible. And that genuine work ethic has its rewards. Even, in the face of failure.
-------------------------------------------

That really sums it all up, and you speak for
all of us. Well said!

Chuck

[edisonphonoworks]

Your project is coming along very nicely. It will be exciting to see how the machine turns out. The weighted carriage I had also had the little screws to install the speaker. I suspect that these early Home machines actually were equipped with standard speakers, and not separate automatic reproducer and recorder due to the little screws which would make changing speakers take a little longer. It probably would not be hard to machine a new standard speaker or find an early recorder, and make the combined stylus bar, with recorder and playback stylus, that would be the only needed modification, while keeping the record only recording stylus so that it could be reversed if need be. I do make authentic double spiral brown wax records, and can make duplicates of any cylinders that you would like for your early machines, including the channeled rim for North American cylinders. Charley Hummel makes some very fine reproduction listening tubes, I have them on my machine.

[fran604g]

Very interesting project, Wyatt.

Why did you choose to replace the center bearing stanchion with an "original" version instead of the brass mount that was with the frame? Just curious is all. To me (a very interested novice) the brass bearing mount piece could be very interesting if mounted appropriately to the frame, (maybe with some pretty brass shims for adjustment) it seems like it would have fit in properly with the other changes and certainly wouldn't have been as difficult to do.

Fran

[MicaMonster]

I guess, with the damage evident in the corner I was lead to believe that the brass center stanchion was a repair. The new part served the EXACT purpose as the old part. Now, if it did something different, I would be inclined to keep it. I am, however, keeping all parts with the machine, as it is part of its story.

Very interesting project, Duane.

Why did you choose to replace the center bearing stanchion with an "original" version instead of the brass mount that was with the frame? Just curious is all. To me (a very interested novice) the brass bearing mount piece could be very interesting if mounted appropriately to the frame, (maybe with some pretty brass shims for adjustment) it seems like it would have fit in properly with the other changes and certainly wouldn't have been as difficult to do.

Fran

[MicaMonster]

Ah-HAH! Two parts that will make a definite impression with this machine!

Lipped mandrels ALWAYS make me drool. Is that wrong?


Conscience is getting a little hurt by how much this is costing me. But, is it REALLY my choice?

Next: PAINT!

[52089]

Lipped mandrels ALWAYS make me drool. Is that wrong?

You should put that on a T shirt! I'd love to see the reactions you'd get!

[fran604g]

I guess, with the damage evident in the corner I was lead to believe that the brass center stanchion was a repair. The new part served the EXACT purpose as the old part. Now, if it did something different, I would be inclined to keep it. I am, however, keeping all parts with the machine, as it is part of its story.

Very interesting project, Duane.

Why did you choose to replace the center bearing stanchion with an "original" version instead of the brass mount that was with the frame? Just curious is all. To me (a very interested novice) the brass bearing mount piece could be very interesting if mounted appropriately to the frame, (maybe with some pretty brass shims for adjustment) it seems like it would have fit in properly with the other changes and certainly wouldn't have been as difficult to do.

Fran

That makes sense, thank you for answering my question.

I have never restored anything (yet) and I think I will find it difficult to know where to "draw the line" so to speak.

And by the way, you do exceptional work. I'm a (retired) machinist and completely understand the difficulty and patience involved with your work.

If I may ask, what did you use for welding the center support with? MIG or TIG or did you braze it with a torch? I apologize if you have mentioned it already.

Fran