The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Jerry
I have found that embroidery thread works very well. It will allow you to tie a tight knott and cut the string close to the knott without it coming apart.You have to find the right tension on the string. Just enough that it won't slip but tight enough to turn the weighted mandrel(reproducer and horn). You will find a tensioner on your string guard.

I have to wind down the spring motors and display them that way to get 2 minutes out of them when I play one.


Oh say hi to Jean-Paul we have met in the past and live close enough that we should get together from time to time.

Kevan

The machine, a Kastenpuck, is by George Carette, a German toy manufacturer. This model was also available nickeled rather than painted.

If you look at the casting at the side where the mandrel is, under the middle leaf just above the striations \\\///you will see "G.C & Co." in the casting.

can also read about Carette here
http://www.noedison.com/carette.shtml

Thanks, that was very interesting reading about Carette. Jerry

im not sure about the garette make but i am sure that its german in dutch this type was called ''het roodborstje'' so in english that should be ''the robin''
the puck is quite common here in holland as it is in the rest of europe and about 3 out of 10 are kasten pucks they sell for about 350 to 450 euro's
the word kasten often appears in german phonograph catalogues it can say kasten fonograf for a Pathé like invertable phonograph greetings
tino

Thank you Tino. I'm quite happy to have the little fellow. Jerry

always happy to be of service
happy to see you happy

I was wondering Jerry, if you ever got the parts to get your Kastenpuck up and running?
And did you overcome the knot issue using embroidery cotton?

I've got the No.851S (lyre base with nickelled horn), which on and off for 3 years I've tried all sorts of strings for the drive belt but have ended up giving up with frustration, but I haven't tried embroidery cotton as yet, so thought I'd ask first before buying some and maybe avoid being driven insane yet again

To be honest I am embarrassed to say that I have enjoyed the machine in my collection but I have not tried to make a string. Maybe this is the push I needed to move forward.

Jerry B.

That's fair enough. I guess I'll just buy some and give it ago.

Hi ,It is known as the "Nightingale" or "songbird" Puck for obvious reasons. Here are pictures of mine showing the original tin horn (I have since obtained an original key !)
They are a pain to play as the reproducer is very light and has a tendency to skate across the cylinder - you have go get it level to have any chance of playing right through one !