Beltona portable

[IainW]

I would guess the horn pivots where there is a stain on the motor board towards the back right corner, is there a screw hole there? It seems to be missing the 'record tray' and the support batons either side of the turntable that can be seen in the photos Jamie posted.

[Inigo]

The horn seems to be wood, easily recreated. I've seen other machines with the same sound system, a little horn and the back of the case acting as reflector/resonator. Depending on the quality of the diaphragm, it can sound acceptably well. A well restored and compliant soundbox can make it sound well.
Even a reversible modification can be added which would improve the sound:, a thin wood board in the form of a rectangular strip, to be installed behind the tonearm horn, against the back vertical panel and the two sides, curved so it forms a cylindrical wall to reflect the sound projected by the small tonearm/horn towards the front. I'm sure it will reflect the sound better than the boxy back of the machine.
If the machine were mine, I would take measures and try that board immediately... it can be made of thick cardboard for the first trial and adjustment, and if it works, them make one of thin wood.
Although I've studied the photos and it seems to have little room for this... maybe only two small reflector boards placed at the inner corners, to make mind of 45 degree reflectors, like the Plano-Reflex concept...

[langleycello]

Thanks so much - one of the pics from an earlier post features a reasonably close-up look at the back of the compartment and there is small hole (smaller than ¼”) with a slightly darker surround on the right hand side. I’ll try and take another close up later thismorning.- the pivot evidently is very basic - perhaps just a rod attached to the small horn…cheers, S

[langleycello]

Here are another couple of pics - one of the tone-arm ‘horn’ attachment spot which looks like a mere screw hole and perhaps a basic cylindrical mount. The other pic reveals the position of the drawer inside the cabinet.

[langleycello]

Here are the pictures referred to in my last post…

[leels1]

Here is the horn. I see now how it must have worked. The hinge acting as a pivot, and must have been attached to a rod sticking up from the original hole.

Some measurements of the horn also. Let me know if you need more!

[langleycello]

Thankyou so much leels1 - I am deeply grateful for your trouble and these pics will allow me to venture forth and make up an equivalent assembly - again my heartfelt thanks. - now to find a good soundbox which will do justice !

I wonder… did your machine have the internal record tray?

I will share the results after I get to work

Cheers,

Stephen

[Inigo]

Nice adventure... Keep us informed, please. These restoration processes are very interesting and illustrative. Here there are many people with great ideas and knowledge to help...
Besides that, the Beltona early products have a kind of magic appeal around them, isn't it true?

[langleycello]

Absolutely - it is a wondrous adventure and it shouldn’t be difficult to mock up a mini horn, now I have the dimensions - again my heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed with ideas and pics.

I noticed that my wrecked soundbox still has the original metal flange attached - I presume this attaches to a wooden cylindrical counterpart / throat at the end of the horn - it appears as such in the pics but hard to definitively tell ..

Does anyone have any thoughts re a good soundbox to source for a machine of this vintage - one of the later designs would be too large I guess ?

Anyhow .. onwards and thanks again

Stephen

[leels1]

More than welcome. You’ve given me a renewed interest in sorting mine out too.

I was thinking of installing a rod through the original hole, then using a couple of bearings to give the side to side flexibility. The existing hinge I think is original and should allow the vertical movement ok.

Soudnbox wise, I’d say a generic mica from the 1920s would work for originality, but Belotona did make soundboxes as the pics show. I have a beltona branded one (although it’s an aluminium diaphragm so probably later).

There’s no record tray on mine at all. I can’t see how one would fit given the space.

Out of interest, what motor does yours have in it? Think this is a Thorens from memory.

Looking forward to seeing your results!

Lee