The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Jerry, I got my first Puck cylinder machine recently, and promptly broke the string! At first I did not make a loop, and I wondered why the cylinders sounded so weird--playing backwards! I just used some dental floss to experiment with tying the knots, and trimming the excess. I used to have some good old dental floss--that was like string. Now, most dental floss you find is more of a "flat" string. It still worked! I, in fact, am still using the dental floss on the machine, as it seemed to work fine! Also, my friend Edward gave me some radio tuning wire--the old wire used in early radios, and even old hifi radios, between the tuning pots and the knobs. This string is very robust and pliable. Still, try the dental floss, and you can't go wrong if you make a mistake! Enjoy playing it! See you soon. Mike

Thanks to motivation from Shane and a great suggestion from Mike, my machine is complete with a new string or in this case some Cool Mint Listerine dental floss. I looked at my original post and it was about 8 years ago! I'd like to think I am more prompt but I'm guilty.

Jerry B.

Looks great Jerry--and glad you got it going! I'm sure it will smell minty fresh and play great! I had no idea the original post was from about 10 years ago. Since the new version of the Forum started, I have not figured out how to get to new posts--it comes up with old ones. I hadn't looked at the machine section, in some time, and forgot about that situation, and just saw your interesting Puck type cylinder machine.

Mike