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Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:55 pm
by De Soto Frank
If the covering on the portable is "tight", and hasn't "popped" at any seams, spewing the padding, it is worth having.

You'll never have to spend on dime on plywood / cardboard "dime-store" portables.


The Reproducers alone are worth grabbing, so long as the pot-metal is not crumbly.


I acquired my first Orthophonic ( VE 8-12 X ) from an estate sale of a great-aunt when I was just out of High-School (1985). I found-out from a distant cousin, that machine had originally belonged to my great-grandmother ! :)

As time went-on, and the internet developed, I discovered that this machine had been re-fitted with a Victor four-spring motor ( probably by a dealer ), as my great-grandmother lived in rural SW Virginia, prior to Rural Electrification.

It was always kept in "the parlor", with the shades drawn, so the original finish is in excellent condition.

I have recently acquired a second 8-12 X, this one with it's original induction motor; just needs a new back-bracket for the taper-tube.

They are a fine-sounding machine, just slightly less bass than the Credenza / 8-30.

The 2-55 portable is about as good a spring-wound portable as anyone ever made. Very sturdy metal case, covered with a layer of batting ( padding ), and heavy leatherette. The usual Victor quality motor, an Orthophonic sound-box ( with a felt "muffler" in the cover, to cut-down on stray high-frequencies & surface noise), an automatic brake, and pocket for storing 10-inch discs.


Of course we want to see pictures of your new treasures !

:)

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:25 pm
by winsleydale
And pictures shall be provided of my humble collection so soon as they are all home. I have been back and forth about the portable; I think I will bring the requisite money, however based on my interactions with the seller, I can't tell for sure if he still has it. The 8-12 I know for sure, though. I guess when Jerry's Standard gets to me, I will have to put up even more pictures.

Perhaps I should expand my typewriter collection as well, but then, the entirety of my belongings are needed to fit into an 11x11 room as it stands right now... Even this new Victrola will be taking space that I don't have. Whatever, it's worth it.

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:12 pm
by Mr Grumpy
Congrats, I'm glad you got it. You'll be much happier playing your records on this then on that Brunswick.
This one really is "a collector's item".

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:36 pm
by De Soto Frank
I like vintage typewriters too, but be careful - most of them are doorstops, especially if the platen (rubber roller that the paper goes-round) is fossilized.... if you can't press a thumbnail into it, and the rubber springs-back leaving no mark ( or a slight crease ), the platen is shot, and your machine will make Mimeo-Graph stencils out of your ribbon and paper !

A number of years ago, I found a firm that would re-rubber platen-rollers, but I never did anything about it.

:coffee:

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:49 pm
by HisMastersVoice
De Soto Frank wrote:I like vintage typewriters too, but be careful - most of them are doorstops, especially if the platen (rubber roller that the paper goes-round) is fossilized.... if you can't press a thumbnail into it, and the rubber springs-back leaving no mark ( or a slight crease ), the platen is shot, and your machine will make Mimeo-Graph stencils out of your ribbon and paper !

A number of years ago, I found a firm that would re-rubber platen-rollers, but I never did anything about it.

:coffee:
Not to de-rail the thread, but I've heard automatic transmission fluid will soften a hard platen. There are tutorials of the process around on the internet, though I've never tried it personally.

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:49 pm
by winsleydale
Huh, I am glad I decided to look back through my old threads. Thanks, Brandon, I think I will try that trans fluid trick. I've got a Royal #10 that has a stone platen...


I'll be quiet now. :P

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:17 am
by Jerry B.
I re-read this entire thread only to find it side tracked on typewriters. How do I go about reporting the moderator? :)

Jerry B.

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:49 am
by Henry
Type him a letter! ;)

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:16 am
by ambrola
winsleydale wrote:I'm so happy I can't even put it into words.
If you were near me, I would set you up with a W-19 and a A-100?

Re: Ortho secured!

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 9:48 am
by winsleydale
Amberola wrote:
winsleydale wrote:I'm so happy I can't even put it into words.
If you were near me, I would set you up with a W-19 and a A-100?
Hey man, I wouldn't complain.