The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

NEFaurora wrote:I have a nice complete Edison C-150 that needs wood refinishing. The original Dark Mahogany Stain has literally turned Black as night and is all checkered. I have to strip it and redo the whole thing. It's the only Phonograph that I have to restore in my whole collection..I'm just looking for the time to do it someday.. I bought all the supplies a few years ago. )

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Hmmm... I'd be hesitant. Hard to say without seeing it but I bet that could be restored short of refinishing. There are people here that know more about it than I do though.

NEFaurora wrote:I have a nice complete Edison C-150 that needs wood refinishing. The original Dark Mahogany Stain has literally turned Black as night and is all checkered. I have to strip it and redo the whole thing. It's the only Phonograph that I have to restore in my whole collection..I'm just looking for the time to do it someday.. I bought all the supplies a few years ago. )

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Sometimes all it takes is lots of time, goop/gojo(or whatever your choice for cleaning) and a good shellacking. I picked this(S-19) basket case up a few months ago. She is nearly done.

It's the funniest thing. It has every part even the record rack, just not that silly ball.(I'm going to be looking into finding one soon.)

I only use GoJo. the stuff is amazing, best for cleaning any cabinet.

Benjamin_L wrote:It's the funnest thing, it has every part for the volume control just not the ball. (I'm going to be looking into finding one soon.) It has every part even the record rack, just not that silly ball.

I only use GoJo, the stuff is amazing. Best for cleaning any cabinet.

You could try Yankee Trader Benjamin. That part should be easy to find and not very expensive.

Your S-19 when you picked it up looks a lot like my C-150. I'll have to try the GoJo route first obviously..

What was your full method of clean-up fpr the S-19???

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Valecnik wrote:

Benjamin_L wrote:It's the funnest thing, it has every part for the volume control just not the ball. (I'm going to be looking into finding one soon.) It has every part even the record rack, just not that silly ball.

I only use GoJo, the stuff is amazing. Best for cleaning any cabinet.

You could try Yankee Trader Benjamin. That part should be easy to find and not very expensive.

Two members (DGPros and 52089) already mentioned in earlier responses to this thread that they have the mute ball part available.
Andreas

NEFaurora wrote:Your S-19 when you picked it up looks a lot like my C-150. I'll have to try the GoJo route first obviously..

What was your full method of clean-up fpr the S-19???

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

If you search this forum, or purchase Eric Reiss The Compleat Talking Machine it will give you much more in depth methods than I can here. In a nutshell
1) Goop/Gojo (non pumice) Either with a paintbrush or 0000 steel wool. DON'T RUB! just wipe. My method is to do this once a day till the cloth, paper towels are clean. It can and usually takes multiple cleanings depending on how dirty. This one was extremely dirty.
2)Any paint, Spackle or other substances I scratch off, not going into the finish. Be delicate.
3) Once it's very clean I make the decision if it needs shellac. My method is to use denatured alcohol on the first pass, this will help with alligatoring and I can assess if I need to add shellac to the mixture. I use a paintbrush to wipe it on. (be vigilant on cleaning paintbrush between uses and I like to pour the solution into a glass container. Do not put paintbrush into either can as it will contaminate the solution.) Small sections and let it dry for a day or two before applying again. If the shellac is really gone, I add a 50/50 solution, sanding when dry with 200 or higher, clean with tack cloth then add a new coat.

So far I like this method. I intend to learn the french polish version soon as my way does have some paintbrush marks. There are others here that may have different techniques and I will be trying some of them in the future. I hope this helps and good luck.

Congratulations on our very nice machine. I sense the very infectious Edison Bug may have bit another person. Good luck Tom B

Congratulations! My first DD was also a 150 exactly like yours. I still have it, but it's buried in other phonographs right now, which is a bummer cause seeing yours makes me want to play it!

Valecnik wrote:

Benjamin_L wrote:It's the funnest thing, it has every part for the volume control just not the ball. (I'm going to be looking into finding one soon.) It has every part even the record rack, just not that silly ball.

I only use GoJo, the stuff is amazing. Best for cleaning any cabinet.

You could try Yankee Trader Benjamin. That part should be easy to find and not very expensive.

And if that doesn't work George Vollema is almost sure to have one and I have found his prices to be reasonable.

Clay