The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Installed a new spring. The spring barrel is a mere 2 1/16" wide. Smallest I've seen so far for a phonograph.

Cliff

Got this little machine rebuilt and it plays beautifully! Watch it play on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSLSH2TkJk

YeeeHaaaa!

Cliff

It plays pretty good for it's little size. And sometimes those blue Columbias will bog down big motors.

A question - This Mikiphone has the 2 piece plastic (Bakelite?) sound chamber in uncracked good condition. Problem is the pieces fit together a little to snug for comfort and I worry that they will crack, like so many I have seen on eBay and other web sites. Is there any way to stretch the plastic without cracking or breaking it? I thought of a light sanding of the inside edge, is there a better less destructive way?

Thanks! Cliff

CDBPDX wrote:A question - This Mikiphone has the 2 piece plastic (Bakelite?) sound chamber in uncracked good condition. Problem is the pieces fit together a little to snug for comfort and I worry that they will crack, like so many I have seen on eBay and other web sites. Is there any way to stretch the plastic without cracking or breaking it? I thought of a light sanding of the inside edge, is there a better less destructive way?

Thanks! Cliff

They were designed to be snug...almost air tight for better sound quality.Sanding would be a real "no no". It's better to either display together or put away. This in not a new toy (if you know what I mean). I would not consider these regular players anymore... .By the way.....you can also crack them by over torquing them onto the reproducer.

gramophone78 wrote:

CDBPDX wrote:...Is there any way to stretch the plastic without cracking or breaking it? I thought of a light sanding of the inside edge, is there a better less destructive way?

Thanks! Cliff

They were designed to be snug...almost air tight for better sound quality.Sanding would be a real "no no". It's better to either display together or put away. This in not a new toy (if you know what I mean). I would not consider these regular players anymore... .By the way.....you can also crack them by over torquing them onto the reproducer.

That's what I was afraid of. I do not own this lovely machine. The owner wants me to fix it so he can use it without fear of breaking the resonator, but I couldn't come up with any ideas that weren't destructive.

I will relay your suggestion. Thanks! Cliff