The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It looks like a keeper, Jerry!

Martin

Nice job Looks real good Tom B

I would say,a standard is a good machine. I sometimes think the feed screw in back was a very good idea, as the gears make the spiral courser, and it does not get in as much trouble as the Home and Triumph machines. The only weak point is usually the spring is tired, and needs replacement, but after that they are pretty good machines. The later model D and above have pot metal bearings but they run very nice when replaced. Just watch some of Chuck Richards tests on his D, It is a prime example of how a machine should work, and how they can work if you take the time to do the technical adjustments, you will notice a solid speed, and pretty quiet motor, and little warble.

For future information, Ron Sitko has excellent motor mount kits for the early machines. I recently replaced the mounts on my early Home A and am very pleased with the results.

Jim

Does anyone have any tips on extracting slightly seized motor mount bolts and nuts from the Edison Standard A in in order to replace the gaskets? The nuts are round and set into the underside of the motor plate so it is difficult to access and hold them still while unscrewing the bolt. I currently have a machine I am trying to replace the gaskets on (using Ron Sitko's excellent replacement gaskets.) The bolts and nuts have plenty of play (because the original gaskets have fallen away.)

- Tony

They're nasty to get at, aren't they? My solution always was to get out the lineman pliers for better leverage. It's not an elegant way to do it. I end up filing the edges of those little nuts to not look so horrible. Hopefully others will have a better way. Good luck with your restoration!

Martin

Nice machine It should play your two minute cylinders well. I am with Martin and I use the neoprene grommets with a large hole. I cut them in half also. They work well. Sometimes it is hard to get those screws out though. I use a screw driver tensioned on the nut an ridge, next are needle nose, next will be small vise grips as a last resort. Normally the gaskets are crumbling and give a little room to get in there. One of the things I have learned is to clean all the gears teath I can get to. They are sometimes coated with old caked on grease. I use a wire brass brush. It seems to run quieter . Tom

Thank you, Martin and Tom for your replies. I have successfully extracted the motor bolts and nuts without casualties. It took time, several applications of Liquid Wrench over 24 hours and a lot of fiddling and patience, but they finally came loose. Wasn't able to get the jaws of any pliers bigger than needle nose into the space available to secure hold of the brass nuts but it worked eventually.

- Tony