The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Great thread! I will need to look into it too, as I have two HMV 4 and 1 Victor no 2 reproducers with hardened back flanges. I know the best solution would be to replace those rubber flanges, but those aren't easy to find in good price range.
Have anyone tried the trick typewriter collectors use for softening platens? They use Oil of Wintergreen, aka Methyl Salicylate and isopropyl alcohol mix. I am not sure if platens use same kind of rubber as reproducers though!

After 1 day each side the rubber gaskets have softened but not by much. However the rubber has not become sticky.
The paper label has wrinkled but I'm sure that will simply dry out. It really doesn't matter if it doesn't its only a duettophone.
Not possible to see on the picture really. When the whole thing has dried out I will test for sound.

Ghaad wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 5:45 am Great thread! I will need to look into it too, as I have two HMV 4 and 1 Victor no 2 reproducers with hardened back flanges. I know the best solution would be to replace those rubber flanges, but those aren't easy to find in good price range.
Have anyone tried the trick typewriter collectors use for softening platens? They use Oil of Wintergreen, aka Methyl Salicylate and isopropyl alcohol mix. I am not sure if platens use same kind of rubber as reproducers though!

Rubber plattens are usually very firm anyway. It's probably a different kind of rubber or differently treated. But Gramophone and Typewriter so who knows?

JerryVan wrote: Fri May 23, 2025 6:23 am Is that a paper label insdie the reproducer? If so, I hope the Armor All doesn't seep through and ruin it. How are you getting the Armor All to the back side diaphragm gasket?

The armour all could not seep through either diaphragm or gaskets as these are tightly sealed. I sprayed the armour all through the hole where the tone arm goes to get it in the back. The paper label is of no consequence. It's a cheap soundbox for a cheap machine.

The paper label is of no consequence.

... unless you're a restorer.

JerryVan wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 7:53 am

The paper label is of no consequence.

... unless you're a restorer.

I agree, and to me it's the nicest feature of an otherwise unremarkable soundbox.

I'm still not understanding the point of this, as compared with just replacing the gaskets!

Neither of the above statements are intended to be critical, I hasten to add!

"I'm still not understanding the point of this, as compared with just replacing the gaskets!"

It's obviously a round about way to try to save a few bucks, IF you already have the rubber softening supplies... which cost more than the gaskets...

Curt A wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 3:06 pm "I'm still not understanding the point of this, as compared with just replacing the gaskets!"

It's obviously a round about way to try to save a few bucks, IF you already have the rubber softening supplies... which cost more than the gaskets...

No it's an experiment with rubber softening to avoid taking the whole thing to pieces risking breaking the mica diaphragm risking not getting rubber gaskets in the correct alignment and risking completely ruining a soundbox with a large intervention.

If the experiment is a success which is not known at present the procedure can be repeated on valued soundboxes. The current one can be thrown away if the experiment is unsuccessful.

I am not simply trying to save a few pennies. However I do have the armour all which is sold as a protectant for rubber leather and similar materials.

I hope this clarifies the nature of the experiment.

And that I cannot yet report success or failure which is the point of this experiment. I do not know the conclusions until I have finished it.

"No it's an experiment with rubber softening to avoid taking the whole thing to pieces risking breaking the mica diaphragm risking not getting rubber gaskets in the correct alignment and risking completely ruining a soundbox with a large intervention."

Disassembling a reproducer and replacing gaskets is a relatively simple procedure with minimal risk of damaging mica and little chance of ruining the whole thing... Mica is relatively cheap and usually needs replacing anyway. The paper label is more important than the mica, which can easily be replaced.

Curt A wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 4:46 pm
Disassembling a reproducer and replacing gaskets is a relatively simple procedure with minimal risk of damaging mica and little chance of ruining the whole thing... Mica is relatively cheap and usually needs replacing anyway. The paper label is more important than the mica, which can easily be replaced.

I'm happy that you find it relatively simple. Perhaps other people, such as me, do not find it as easy as you do.
People have different abilities.
If you consider my experiment pointless I respect your opinion. However my opinion differs and I am posting results for people who are interested in the outcome.
Of course if it's the general opinion that I'm wasting everybody's time I shall refrain from posting. I have no desire to waste people's time and efforts on things they consider to be pointless.