The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm with you Jim. As nice as it is to have original wiring, you really are risking a fire, or worse, electrocution & death.
Any wire with rubber insulation which can move or bend under normal use should be replaced. Especially where two wires are in close proximity to one another. It's not so important with single wires, say under the motor board where movement is minute and very limited, but things like a mains lead I think is a must.
Even if the insulation appears to be sound, you really cant be sure that somewhere along a 1 or 2 metre length of wire, the insulation hasn't had something dropped on it or spilt on it in the last 80 or 90 yrs, that will make the rubber deteriorate quicker than the rest, and in 5 yrs, or 5 months, you might end up with exposed wires.
I dont think anyone could honestly say that replacing a power cord with a modern reproduction would in any way distract from the look or value of any antique electrical item. You can always wind the original wire around a toilet roll tube & keep it in the bottom of the case, and reconnect it later if you want to sell the machine.(if you were that worried about originality or value)
If I was looking at 2 identical machines for the same price, and one had good original wiring & the other had authentic replacement wiring, I know which one I'd be taking home
Infact, personally I'd be willing to pay a little more for the machine with new safe wiring!

I was involved with antique electric fan collecting for a while. The old stuff is
not rated for the heat generated by modern AC and can catch on fire fairly easily.
This is one area that its ok to use reproduction wire for the sake of safety I think.

Thanks all. Yes, a good (and relatively lucky) learning experience. I am looking forward to having it working again with reproduction wiring installed.

Glad we could help. Here, I think I would use a Variac because our voltage is so high. I have read 125-127 volts on the line on a normal day and as high as 132, although it's 121 as I write this. That's the lowest I've ever seen here, so perhaps they finally did something about it and I can forget the variac. I'll have to check it more often.

You inspired me to do a long overdue lube on my 8-30 yesterday. It's running smoooth and quiet again, except I have to regrease the springs in one barrel - the grease is drying out but I don't want to tackle that right now. Don't yell at me, guys. I will do all four springs. I can see those fingers reaching for the kwyboard already!

Jim

By the way, I purchase my wire from the same manufacturer as Radio Daze. The firm made a few dozen spools of oversized wire by accident (doubled braid) This wire is much closer in appearance and size to the cord used by Victor on their post 1920 machines. I have a limited amount available, if anyone needs a bit. PM if you would like some at $8.00/ 10ft length. I am awaiting receipt of an order of their early style "buton plugs" in brown and black bakelite, which are ribbed ( like the General Electric plugs used on Victor and Brunswick machines) or "acorn" style, like the Hubble plugs used by many manufacturers, including some 1926 Orthophonic "X" machines. These plugs are identical to the originals SAVE THE ADDITION OF A POLARIZED (wide) NEUTRAL PRONG. My cost is about $2.00/plug. If anyone needs a few of these, please PM and I'll inform you of their arrival.

Sundial Wire { http://www.sundialwire.com/ } also offers some interesting cordage. Their so-called "Bungalow Cord" is very much like the cord used on the early (1915-1918) Electrolas, though the color is wrong (yellow/green braid rather than plain dark green) but this color problem can be easily fixed with a solution of Antique Phonograph Supply's "Green Oak" analine dye stain in alcohol.

Ah, all is well now, after a weekend visit by my phonograph doctor friend!

The 8-30X was completely rewired, including around the motor. Turns out that it had been rewired at least once before, 30+ years ago, with a vinyl-covered cord.

It plays again, flawlessly.

Also repaired this weekend were my Radiola 47 (rebuilding of pick-up with new rubber, and insertion of new governor friction leather to replace hardened original felt); VV-120 speed control (ungunking of old oil); lubrication of Sessions airliner clock and of spigot from '30s percolator; and not least, repair of the top corners of two of my dining room chairs, to which my chihuahuas recently took a liking!

Here are some photos of the 8-30X repair:

Looks good - and to be safe, we all should be doing this to ours.

And for those who don't know...


Some pieces can be seriously affected in value by whether the cord is original, or a modern polarized vinyl cord. This applies to several brands of antique radios.

What I do, in those cases, is buy (yes, it's still made) modern vinyl wiring, with a cloth (something like it, but fireproof, and looks 100% original) cover. This way, anyone who buys it or admires it, sees an original cord, but it's completely safe. Many collectors appreciate that little detail.

Nice looking job. Glad to see it done correctly in appearance as well as electrically. Now you can enjoy the music and not worry about what the electrons are doing. Sometimes I wish my 8-30 was electric, especially when my right shoulder is acting up.

Jim