The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A part that is always in great demand - either original or reproduction - is the nickel-plated brass, turntable trim ring found on many Columbia models. It has been the subject of several previous threads. In 2012 I wrote:

My favorite subject... I have an otherwise perfect and original Columbia BD that is missing the trim ring. I scan eBay every day looking for one. I have gone to clock shops, but the clock bezels will not work. The platter on the BD is oversize, measuring 12 ⅜" diameter. I have approached the skilled craftsmen in our hobby including Ron Sitko about making reproductions. It would be possible to make both the 10" and 12" versions of the often-missing Columbia trim rings, but the start-up costs for production would be prohibitive unless we could place a large order.

I'm not sure that this is a part amenable to CNC techniques, but, along with many others, I would love to find one!

My guess is the ring is made in a press.

It would depend on the model of the cnc in question, as there are many types. I have operated one for 15 years and they are quite varied.
A "bed" model would be suitable in making gears and such, but not so much for tone arms.
As it is a family project, overhead would be reduced considerable.
Perhaps a list of parts that could be made would help. Regards, Johnny

Replacement backs for HMV No.4, No.5a and 5b soundboxes,to replace the pot-metal ones. That would be great!

Barry

Jerry B. wrote:Would it be practical to make carriages to replace pot metal Columbia carriages? Jerry

This! The pot metal isn't getting any better over time and soon the "lesser" machines that are being sacrificed for the parts will become exiguous. I hate the thought of any machine being sacrificed for another one of greater value.

Fran

George Paul sensibly suggested I post in this thread. I have noticed many if not most of the Operas and Amberola 1Bs (and probably IIIs, although they turn up too infrequently to generalize) listed on eBay at least are missing their auto stop rods. I don't see the rods turn up often, however, so this might be a good candidate for reproduction. There were some reproductions made that were the wrong length, as discussed in Bill Cahill's April 21, 2010, 50 7:00 PM post here:

http://edisonphonos.proboards.com/threa ... net?page=2

Here is an Opera with an auto stop rod, its L-shaped end pointing straight up to the right of the mandrel in the third picture.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... era#p69971

And here is an Opera missing its auto stop rod, as seen in the fourth picture.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ra&start=0

Most of you probably don't need these pictures, but I sure didn't know what an "auto stop rod" was when I started studying these machines!

By the way, in case you were afraid to ask the OP (or didn't get around to it, like me):

https://www.cncci.com/resources/article ... %20cnc.htm

Best wishes, Mark

I just learned from Ron Sitko that nobody at this time is replicating the early Victor round brake as found on machines like the early MS. I don't think this should be too difficult to make with the right equipment.

BTW: does anyone make replacement springs for the round brakes for M, MS, R, etc?

Thanks
Andreas

Another candidate is the potmetal beveled gear set used in the mechanism that shifts the sound channel between the phonograph and the radio speaker driver in several of the Victor combination radio-phonographs from the 20s. They are notorious for swelling and crumbling, as are some of the metal support brackets that show up in these setups.

Clay

A question was asked if anyone is making the 10-50 gear sets. I have made them in the past and have ONE set left. I do not intend to make them again. Contact me by PM if interested in a set.

Ken Danckaert

One part which I personally would like to see
made is the formed copper-sheet stylus holder for
Edison "home" style 2 minute cylinder recorders.

I've made a few of them myself, and they are very very
labor-intensive tiny little things to make. They can
be made by hand without too much trouble, but it takes
many hours of forming, measuring, and reforming to
get one just right.

Takes me several days to put together an Edison recorder
and to get it working correctly. This time could be
cut down by a few days at least, if the formed sheet-copper
stylus holders were being mass produced as they once were.

Chuck