Mag-Ni-Phone

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estott
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Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by estott »

I've gotten my Mag-Ni-Phone into better shape. The reproducer still needs an overhaul, I'll pick up the parts at Wayne next month. It had at least two arm styles- this one comes apart to convert it to vertical cut position, on the other style you just turned the reproducer.
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The worst of the dirt is gone, new felt from Walt Sommers has been laid in place.
The worst of the dirt is gone, new felt from Walt Sommers has been laid in place.
The speed control knob is rusted onto the shaft, I haven't gotten it free yet.
The speed control knob is rusted onto the shaft, I haven't gotten it free yet.
The reproducer was made by Stewart, it's very similar to a Columbia.
The reproducer was made by Stewart, it's very similar to a Columbia.
Base of the arm, the brass cross bar is my substitute for the missing original.
Base of the arm, the brass cross bar is my substitute for the missing original.
Tone arm base - there is a little spring loaded tube with a rounded top edge, it holds up the arm and the cross bar rides on it. If you point the arm towards the front of the machine you can lift the cross bar out of the little slot on the side and remove the arm.
Tone arm base - there is a little spring loaded tube with a rounded top edge, it holds up the arm and the cross bar rides on it. If you point the arm towards the front of the machine you can lift the cross bar out of the little slot on the side and remove the arm.
The arm in position for vertical cut discs - there was a sapphire ball in the needle screw, I might replace it.
The arm in position for vertical cut discs - there was a sapphire ball in the needle screw, I might replace it.
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phonogfp
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by phonogfp »

Neat little machine! :)

George P.
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Phonofreak
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by Phonofreak »

Nice machine. It's looking good. Is the crank original to the machine? It looks like a female crank. Is it slotted or threaded?
Harvey Kravitz
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estott
Victor Monarch
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by estott »

Phonofreak wrote:Nice machine. It's looking good. Is the crank original to the machine? It looks like a female crank. Is it slotted or threaded?
Harvey Kravitz
I'm certain the crank is original, it is female and threaded.
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DSCN0047.JPG
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alang
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by alang »

Looks great! Interesting little machine.

Andreas
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Mr Grumpy
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by Mr Grumpy »

I just brought one of these home,it is a neat machine indeed.

So if I understand correctly, the screw that holds the needle in place should have a sapphire in it?
The one I have is missing this screw.
Have you had the platter off yet? Mine of course is seized in place and I'm not quit sure if it should pop off or not.
Vince
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estott
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by estott »

Mr Grumpy wrote:I just brought one of these home,it is a neat machine indeed.

So if I understand correctly, the screw that holds the needle in place should have a sapphire in it?
The one I have is missing this screw.
Have you had the platter off yet? Mine of course is seized in place and I'm not quit sure if it should pop off or not.
If your arm is the same as mine and comes apart in the middle, yes the needle screw should have a raised center with a sapphire in it. I might replace mine as a curiosity, but it isn't strictly necessary- there are better machines to play Pathé discs on.

The turntable should just lift off- the spindle on mine is tapered with no pins or screws. If it is seized put some oil down the hole, or possibly some solvent, then tap gently on the spindle with a piece of wood as you lift the turntable.
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estott
Victor Monarch
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by estott »

In the center of the screw is the broken off stub of the sapphire- click the picture and it will enlarge
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Curt A
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by Curt A »

Definitely a weird, but clever, way to play Pathé records... If you replace it with a diamond, it should play Edison DD's.
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
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estott
Victor Monarch
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Re: Mag-Ni-Phone

Post by estott »

Curt A wrote:Definitely a weird, but clever, way to play Pathé records... If you replace it with a diamond, it should play Edison DD's.
Yes, but I wouldn't. In any case, while this is a nice interesting machine I wouldn't use it to play records of any value- there's considerable friction at the base of the arm, and because of this and other sloppy constriction features the arm will wear records.
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