The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

You don't want to put it on and forget it. I waited a couple hours and it was tough to rub off. I also should mention that I cleaned the machine with Goop before the X-2. It always pays to have the right tools.

Not a whole lot of progress to report. For the past 6 days, I've been trying to convince the middle board from the baseboard to un-warp. Old Mr. Board is being stubborn, so he's back under the clamps.

However, I've been working on the Patent Plate. These early type 4 plates had silver highlights over (I think) a black wax/asphaltum background. Generally the silver is missing or has turned black. It's quite a delicate finish. It is easy to see why they went to nickel highlights on the later plates.
You can see just a little of the original silver near the brad hole.

I was able to clean the plate, sand off the oxidation and preserve most of the original background.
Now the highlights are shiny brass.

After rubbing on the clock face silvering powder (with a light coat of lacquer), we have this:
As you can see there is some light "break-through" in a couple of areas. I had the same thing happen on the Standard I just did. I'm on the fence on this. What do you think, Ronnie?

Very impressive. Even amazing. Personally I think it looks great as it is. It's much better to preserve the original background, even with some wear, than to redo it. The 'break-through', as you call it, gives it an element of age which is very appropriate.

I really admire restorations that don't look overly restored.

Ditto with what Rene said - every word of it!

Very nice work, martin!

George P.

Martin,
I think it looks great. Now you can actually read what it says. Also, it doesn't look over restored. I would say it's done? Great job. You have a real talent that we all could use.
PS: How did you like that material that the plate was sandwiched in? I have a piece about 2ft square that came with a horn I bought a long time ago.

I am enjoying this thread very much.

Regarding those corrugated fasteners: I think they were added later on. When I see them on old furniture they are spread out all along the glue joint. They were used in place of clamps while the glue dried. Since you only have two poorly placed ones, they do not look like factory work to me. I have never seen them used on Edison bases.

I think I have changed my mind on those. I originally thought they were original, but after some reading, I don't think they would have made that repair that way?
Also, I ordered the correct washers for the Top Works. Ron said there are the 4 that goe in the 2 holes that holds the mandrel on the base plate, and 2 that just sit on the right hand corners.

As far as the fasteners go, I've had to remove two on one end so I could straighten the board for re-gluing. The other one entirely missed spanning any join and is still buried in the board. Either they'll go back in the baseboard or they'll be in the ziplock bag of old parts in the bottom of the case.

Ronnie - that's some stout board you packed the plate with. Not even my letter carrier could bend it!

Martin

martinola wrote:As far as the fasteners go, I've had to remove two on one end so I could straighten the board for re-gluing. The other one entirely missed spanning any join and is still buried in the board. Either they'll go back in the baseboard or they'll be in the ziplock bag of old parts in the bottom of the case.

Ronnie - that's some stout board you packed the plate with. Not even my letter carrier could bend it!

Martin

I know. I wish I had a full sheet of that stuff.

Incredible work going on here. I'm enjoying this, please keep the updates coming.