The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Wow, that machine is awesome. You can find the speed control lever on ebay. The striping on both the horn and bedplate are superb. I've never seen such perfection. Did you use decals or strip it yourself. Now that's a machine to be proud of.
Harvey kravitz

thanks phonofreak,
I did it all myself. I talked with wyatt's and asked them about the water transfers. they chuckled and said, those are easy and you do those by hand. I chuckled and said "oooo ok" lol. So I did it. It isn't perfect by any means but I did best I could. straight lines, I tried using tape and the horn was most difficult and is far from perfect. Looks great from 2 feet, but you can see it is done by hand the closer you get. If I sell via ebay, I am fearful that will be an issue although I'll state it. If you look at the bedplate you can see the curves I had to do freehand and it shows. I appreciate the comments though. Help me out with the lever control, I can't find anything, anywhere.

The left carriage rod stanchion should have a set screw, not what is on there now.

EdisonPhonographGuy wrote:Got it, I understand now.... I bet these are literally impossible to find huh? If found, bedplate has to be drilled and tapped it looks like. mine has not been drilled. hmmmm

I just checked my model A, and the lever simply fits over the carriage shaft, and is held in place by a set screw. No drilling or tapping required.

Bill

EdisonPhonographGuy wrote: If I sell via ebay, I am fearful that will be an issue although I'll state it. If you look at the bedplate you can see the curves I had to do freehand and it shows.

I don't think it will seriously reduce the (good) price you will get from someone who is no diehard collector but wants a well-functioning, clean looking Edison phonograph.

It is much fun to completely disassemble an old mechanism, clean and regrease it properly, and let it run again.

This is the style of shifter you need. The photos show a Triumph model but the Home version is nearly identical, (but a bit smaller).

http://www.phonophan.com/triumph.html

Hi EdisonPhonographGuy.
Your 2&4 minute attachment may not be missing the shift lever. From what I've read (and have subsequently seen) many kits for the model B Home did not use the lever and one would simply pull or push the pulley insert to select the desired speed.
HTH
-Martin

You definitely need the speed control lever on yours. Some of the first speed changer kits to retrofit your home or triumph to play 2 and 4 minute cylinders was very similar to the model d's and up gear changers. There is a lip on the piece to the right of the upper belt pulley--pull out to play 4 minute and push in to play 2 minute cylinders. Early kits for the model a's or b's had that same lip, but the piece was about half the width, and the kit came with a u shaped fork for shifting or changing gears. See the attached photos of the 2/4 minute gearing on my model a home. I have to attach the photos in another post later....sorry!

It has been awhile since I have posted pictures...I hope they come through....

Hi gsphonos!
Thanks for clarifying this. I stand corrected. I never noticed the lip on the pulley insert before.
- Martin