need to fix a K reproducer

[victorIIvictor]

hello, Iva, you asked, "I am still a bit confused about the Gold Molded variety. hummmm so all Gold Molded ones are 2 min?"

Yes, and you can learn more about them at this useful Cylinder Overview

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/histo ... oulded.php


Note that at the bottom, there are buttons that allow you to move forward or back to articles on various cylinder types. For example, the third picture you posted in your thread in the Machines section

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=24347

… shows a green cylinder box, which is for a "wax Amberol" for-minute cylinder, the same as shown here:

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/history-amberol.php

Assuming your box is not empty, the cylinder contained therein, although made ofblack wax that appears to bejust like the gold molded ones, is four minute and should NOT be played on your Standard Model B as it is configured now. in fact, I would resist the temptation to handle this cylinder much at all, as these "wax Amberol" cylinders are extremely brittle and sensitive to temperature changes. See this unhappy thread, with cautionary details about handling several types of cylinders:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=23945

If you want to get technical, read Shawn Borri's posts on the subject (his TMF handle is edisonphonoworks), such as his two responses here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 4&start=10

Best wishes, Mark

[Iva]

It looks like I'm late to the party. Yes, Iva, the other folks have it right. I've had qualms about only showing the adapted version of the Model B. The article was meant to UN-confuse people.

As far as the model K reproducer goes, unless you're thinking of getting a 2&4 minute machine, you might want to think about getting a model C reproducer and selling off the model K. If I'm not too mistaken, model Ks in good shape tend to be more money than a model C (2 minute) or a model H (4 minute). Perhaps you might use the K to fund the C?

In any case, thanks for sharing with us and welcome to the delightful madness of antique phonographs.

Regards,
Martin

Thanks Martin,

I had to giggle about the Model B and the one you posted...for us newbies maybe just add a sidebar note that it's an adapted version and other B players may not look like it as the gear plate would be different. I think you did mention that it was a converted modle but for some reason that went over my head...and I still thought all B's would look the same.
You do have a very informed site though...thanks for putting it up.

I do have a player that will play both 2 and 4 min records so I was hoping to fix the K reproducer and maybe sell the H reproducer to get a C one. I wont need the H reproducer if I get the K fixed.

However...looking closer at the K reproducer it may need more work then I thought.

I'm getting ready to take a couple of pictures of it to post.

[Iva]

"Assuming your box is not empty, the cylinder contained therein, although made ofblack wax that appears to bejust like the gold molded ones, is four minute and should NOT be played on your Standard Model B as it is configured now. in fact, I would resist the temptation to handle this cylinder much at all, as these "wax Amberol" cylinders are extremely brittle and sensitive to temperature changes. See this unhappy thread, with cautionary details about handling several types of cylinders:"



Ahhhhh..that may of been the one that broke. One snapped as I started to pull it from the container.

I will take the time to read up on what you posted...thanks so much for the info.
I also posted about this player under "machines". I did play a 4 min cylinder..but explained why.
Now looking closer at the stylus on the K reproducer...I'm not even sure that's the right stylus for a 4 min.
So I'm thinking I may have damaged the cylinder already...however it seems to look the same...and no shavings were left behind.

Iva

[52089]

hello, Iva, you asked, "I am still a bit confused about the Gold Molded variety. hummmm so all Gold Molded ones are 2 min?"

Yes, and you can learn more about them at this useful Cylinder Overview

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/histo ... oulded.php


Note that at the bottom, there are buttons that allow you to move forward or back to articles on various cylinder types. For example, the third picture you posted in your thread in the Machines section

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=24347

… shows a green cylinder box, which is for a "wax Amberol" for-minute cylinder, the same as shown here:

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/history-amberol.php

Assuming your box is not empty, the cylinder contained therein, although made ofblack wax that appears to bejust like the gold molded ones, is four minute and should NOT be played on your Standard Model B as it is configured now. in fact, I would resist the temptation to handle this cylinder much at all, as these "wax Amberol" cylinders are extremely brittle and sensitive to temperature changes. See this unhappy thread, with cautionary details about handling several types of cylinders:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=23945

If you want to get technical, read Shawn Borri's posts on the subject (his TMF handle is edisonphonoworks), such as his two responses here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 4&start=10

Best wishes, Mark

All of the above is true and helpful, but I will add another important caveat: boxes and cylinders get switched all the time. Just because you have a Gold Moulded box does not automatically mean that the cylinder is a Gold Moulded cylinder! It's important that you learn to tell which cylinders are 2 minute and which are 4 regardless of the box they are in.

[Iva]

All of the above is true and helpful, but I will add another important caveat: boxes and cylinders get switched all the time. Just because you have a Gold Moulded box does not automatically mean that the cylinder is a Gold Moulded cylinder! It's important that you learn to tell which cylinders are 2 minute and which are 4 regardless of the box they are in.

yep...and that's where all the fun is...lol

I have read that 4mins will have a 4M on the top...but that not all do...lol..so yeah..I'm still learning on what to look for.

thanks for your reply on this,
Iva

[Iva]

ok here is a picture of the K reproducer and the stylus bar it has on it.

Needs a good cleaning too.

[Lucius1958]

ok here is a picture of the K reproducer and the stylus bar it has on it.

Needs a good cleaning too.

That looks suspiciously like a Diamond stylus... ?

Frankly, I would say that stylus bar has been tampered with: Diamond styli are meant to be used only on 4 minute celluloid cylinders (Blue Amberols, plus 4M Indestructibles and Everlastings). They will quickly destroy any wax cylinder.

Bill

[FellowCollector]

ok here is a picture of the K reproducer and the stylus bar it has on it.

Looks like a Columbia 4 minute stylus and stylus bar but difficult to confirm by the angle of the picture. As Bill suggests I wouldn't use this on any wax cylinder. If it is indeed a Columbia 4 minute bar and stylus these were intended for play of Indestructible cylinders.

Doug

[Iva]

That looks suspiciously like a Diamond stylus... ?

Frankly, I would say that stylus bar has been tampered with: Diamond styli are meant to be used only on 4 minute celluloid cylinders (Blue Amberols, plus 4M Indestructibles and Everlastings). They will quickly destroy any wax cylinder.

Bill

Well dang...I guess folks just grabbed what they could to get it to play..lol..however..not good for the records.
I'm not sure if the previous owner played the cylinders with this or not.
I did play one though... no wonder it sounded so crappy...ughhh.

ok here is a picture of the K reproducer and the stylus bar it has on it.

Looks like a Columbia 4 minute stylus and stylus bar but difficult to confirm by the angle of the picture. As Bill suggests I wouldn't use this on any wax cylinder. If it is indeed a Columbia 4 minute bar and stylus these were intended for play of Indestructible cylinders.

Doug

Well dang...I thought it was a pretty good picture. What would be a better angle?

Iva

[FellowCollector]

Well dang...I thought it was a pretty good picture. What would be a better angle?

Iva

My point in posting a reply was not to criticize the picture or the angle but rather to try to help you in identifying the stylus and bar based on what I could see in the picture that you provided.

The picture is obviously clear but when I indicated that it "looks like a Columbia 4 minute stylus and stylus bar but difficult to confirm by the angle of the picture" I was merely suggesting that an additional picture from a different angle might be helpful in confirming. For example, a picture reflecting a side view might have been helpful.

Good luck with it.