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Problems you don't get with a shellac finish, like the original finish.

gramophoneshane wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 11:57 pm Problems you don't get with a shellac finish, like the original finish.

There is a reason everyone switched to nitro lacquer in the 1920s and have been using it for the last 100 years. Shellac is a very fragile finish, a lot of work to get perfect and in my opinion has not passed the test of time. Aligatored, black or just plain missing finish. I can almost guarantee that my restored Victrolas will still look great 100 years from now, at least a lot better than when i got them after the first 100 years. I am after long term preservation.

Rebuilt tone arm, mount and exhibition reproducer. Also restored the horn, all ready to install. I use synthetic grease and new bearings on the arm. The horn got disassembled, metal cleaned and painted and wood got cleaned and tinted-sealed to match rest of unit. Assembled both using GE clear silicone sealant glue and the original screws.

I just finished this 1917 walnut Victrola XVI, turned out stunnung. I used Amsoil synthetic heavy duty racing grease for the motor rebuild, it really makes a difference,

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Looks great, Jon! I'm a Redline guy myself... I mix their synthetic ATF with their synthetic grease until it is a flowable grease, then pour it in the spring barrels and onto the gearing (a bit thicker consistency on the gears, unless they are fibre gears). The grease in the barrels flows all around the springs and really sticks to the gear mating surfaces. These old spring motors really seem to love friction reduction!

Looks amazing! You put in SOOO much time to make it shine like new. Good job

Gorgeous, as usual!