Victor VV-80 Project

[phonogal]

I agree with the above post. Not everyone that owns or collects phonographs can afford to have a mint example or a very rare model. Just think of the knowledge and skill that is gained by making what some would say is "not worth fixing" into a nice playable machine that brings joy to someone. What better way to hone your restoration skills. It might keep you from making a costly mistake later on a machine that you may "value" more. I remember buying my first music box. It was a basket case with several missing teeth. I completely took it apart and put it back together again, with the help of an excellent book by G.Webb. I learned alot about music boxes in the process, one being not to buy them with damaged combs, as this repair is not for the novice and is very expensive to have done professionally, but it was a great learning experience. I think your friend will love the phonograph all the more because of your efforts!

[Zeppy]

I have to agree that machines like this are just the machine to cut one's teeth on when getting started restoring. Thinking back to the first machines I "restored" (and I use that word very losely), had I applied my lack of skill to anything truely "worth" restoring, it would have been very ugly. After working on a series of very average machines, I at least developed decent enough skills that by the time I worked my way up to my last complete restoration, an oak VTLA, the completed product is at least something that looks fairly decent, and something that I looks good in my house. My current project is a VV-XII. Had I not hacked away at the odd VV-X that was on its way to being parted out because it was a machine that "wasn't worth the time and effort" I would have never had the skills to do justice to the "collectable" machines that I now work on.

[Microtrol]

Well starting to re-assemble the cabinet after the staining and lacquer work and it's starting to look like a Victrola again. I tried using a water baser stain with the crystalac grain filler and big problem. The stain just lifted off with the filler so I re-stained and sealed it with a coat of shellac which helped. I don't think i'll use water based stain again as it was much harder to maintain the even color to the wood. The doors on the unit are a bit warped but still look pretty good on the unit and my friend who will be the recipient loves it the way it is.
Now off to add the decal under the lid to finish it completely and will post the final pics sometime next week.

[OrthoSean]

Looking good!

Sean

[Microtrol]

Just a final few pics for the start and then to the end. This unit will be on it's way to it's new home in a month or so and was a learning project for me on the veneer and different types of stains.

http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x38 ... r%20VV-80/

[Henry]

Great job, Mictrotrol---it looks terrific! Your friend will certainly be pleased with this gift. You've rescued this fine old piece for others to enjoy in the future. Congratulations!

P.S. The "mismatched" grain on the doors doesn't show up in the photos! AFAIC, that's a non-issue.

[Brad]

AWESOME! It looks fantastic.

It is always a great feeling when you can step back and see what a little elbow grease will do.

Great job!