Dalion restoration questions

[jackellis]

I am beginning restoration of a console model Milwaukee Talking Machine "Dalion". I have a few questions. Can anyone describe the appropriate cloth for the front of the sound chamber and the turntable, and a source for each? Second, should the sound transmission path from the tone arm through to the front of the horn be sealed? The horn in this case is a conical square wooden structure, which connects at the rear to a vertical wooden tube. There is a significant gap due to warping or shrinkage or some such between the two. Third, should the wooden horn be varnished?

Thanks for any help.

[gramophone78]

I believe you already posed this question.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=16605

Without photo's of the machine along with photo's showing the area's in question......no one will be able to answer you. Your machine is one of hundreds of "off brands" that were made by hundred's of furniture,etc... companies that jumped onto the "Phonogragh" band wagon from the late teens into the twenties.
Each having their own style and design ideas.
Best of luck... .

[Joe_DS]

I am beginning restoration of a console model Milwaukee Talking Machine "Dalion". I have a few questions.
Can anyone describe the appropriate cloth for the front of the sound chamber and the turntable, and a source for each? Second, should the sound transmission path from the tone arm through to the front of the horn be sealed?

The horn in this case is a conical square wooden structure, which connects at the rear to a vertical wooden tube. There is a significant gap due to warping or shrinkage or some such between the two. Third, should the wooden horn be varnished?

Thanks for any help.

The most common cover used for a turntable would have been wool felt. Velvet was also used, though to a lesser extent. As for the grille cloth, check to see if there are any threads or patches clinging to the corners of the grille. Sometimes you'll find just enough to give you a clue as to the right color.

As for the horn & tonearm coupling, they should join together. However, based on some ads I've spotted when I did a Google Image Search for ...

Dalion Phonograph OR "talking machine"

...I noticed that some of the models had a volume control feature--a little knob near the crank. A common type of volume control method involved moving the knob in or out. The knob, itself, was fastened to a rod that was attached to a felt covered plate that fit in a slot between the horn and the base/bottom of the tonearm. It might be possible that this is missing.

As for whether or not the horn should be varnished, most I've seen were finished (inside the horn's mouth) to match the exterior of the cabinet. If it has traces of varnish or shellac on it, than it should be varnished. The exterior of the horn--the part hidden under the motor board--normally was not varnished.

As was noted, it would really help if you could post some detailed photos.



This page, btw, provides a short history of these off-brand Victrola Clones and Grafonola Wannabees:


263 Machines and Their Makers: 1916 - 1923 -- http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

Joe

[Mr Grumpy]

I've purchased my felts from this ebay seller --> http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Victor-Phonograp ... 5406927e29

But, I'd have no idea what the original colour would have been on your machine.

You can get the grill cloth on ebay as well --> http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Victrola-GRILLE- ... 43c8a10161

Again, no idea what the original looked like.