The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thank you gentlemen for the responses! Going to start working on it this coming week.

I may have a complete grill with nice cloth on it. Let me do some digging. You can have it for the cost of shipping.
Ken Brekke

That's a great option, Ken... I would definitely want the tear gone, no matter what... it's not age or "patina", it's abuse...

If Ken locates that grill, take him up on it. Ken is one of the nicest guys in the hobby and helped me get a machine back in working condition, I couldn't have done it without his help.

Phono48 wrote:Balsa wood is far too soft, It would break as soon as you tried to push it into the grooves.

Barry

So basswood would be better?

Phono-Phan wrote:I may have a complete grill with nice cloth on it. Let me do some digging. You can have it for the cost of shipping.
Ken Brekke

Wow, that would be great! I'll still pay you at least something for it plus shipping.

Curt A wrote:That's a great option, Ken... I would definitely want the tear gone, no matter what... it's not age or "patina", it's abuse...

If Ken locates that grill, take him up on it. Ken is one of the nicest guys in the hobby and helped me get a machine back in working condition, I couldn't have done it without his help.

Yes, his offer is beyond generous! I still can't believe I'm the one who tore it. I'm always very careful at everything I do, especially with things like this. Yes, I'm taking him up on the offer.

SittingRabbit wrote: I still can't believe I'm the one who tore it. I'm always very careful at everything I do, especially with things like this.

Don't be too hard on yourself! Those grille cloths are by now extremely fragile. I had one in good condition, apart from being somewhat grubby. Knowing what removing the cloth would entail, I thought a gentle pass with a hand-held vacuum cleaner would do the job. Immediately the nozzle touched the cloth, a huge hole appeared. The remainder of the cloth crumbled into dust!

Barry

Phono48 wrote:

SittingRabbit wrote: I still can't believe I'm the one who tore it. I'm always very careful at everything I do, especially with things like this.

Don't be too hard on yourself! Those grille cloths are by now extremely fragile. I had one in good condition, apart from being somewhat grubby. Knowing what removing the cloth would entail, I thought a gentle pass with a hand-held vacuum cleaner would do the job. Immediately the nozzle touched the cloth, a huge hole appeared. The remainder of the cloth crumbled into dust!

Barry

Yup, that's what happened to me! I thought the sweeper would make it look a little less grungy. I then took a damp dishcloth to it and didn't expect it to do that. Live and learn I guess. I was gentle, but obviously not gentle enough.

I found the grill I have and there are two small tears in the grill cloth. About ½ to ¾ of an inch. The frame is in excellent condition. Let me know if you still want it.
Ken Brekke

Phono-Phan wrote:I found the grill I have and there are two small tears in the grill cloth. About ½ to ¾ of an inch. The frame is in excellent condition. Let me know if you still want it.
Ken Brekke

Can you see the tears from the outside?