The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

hi guys
first post for me...and i'm sure there will be plenty more.
I'm restoring an Edison Standard "C".....my previous restoration was a HMV table top disc player.
This question comes from being too eager to pull the machine apart and not taking enough photos.
The long shaft of the mandrel goes through the housing in the frame.......this is a loose fit in the housing
so when you open the Mandrel Gate the Mandrel drops down a bit ....is this correct?
The first time I opened the gate(before stripping the machine down) I thought the Mandrel held it's position and did not drop...so should there
be a brass bush that goes over the mandrel shaft to hold it better where it goes through the housing in the frame?
Cheers

no that is correct, the entire purpose of the end gate is to hold the mandrel secure when playing, it is only fixed in place permemantly on later edison machines with no end gate (like the fireside, standard D etc)

I'm guessing you have a Standard B with a model C reproducer. The Model A & B Standards have an end gate and the mandrel will drop down slightly when the end gate is opened. The Model C, D and later Standards had no end gate and the mandrel and shaft were supported in the middle by a bushing. I hope this helps. Jerry Blais

thanks for the information guys.
Jerry I'm confused with your answer......i've looked at heaps of pictures of Standard "C"s and they all have an endgate!!!!
cheers

if you just typed in "Edison model C" it may just be lots of phonographs with a model C reproducer, this is a C: if your standard has a end gate with a speed control knob coming out of the left side of the bed plate, it is a standard A, if it doesn't have one sticking out, it is a B

Well that's a surprise........here I am thinking I have a model "C' due to the reproducer and all the photos i've looked at!!!
Mine has an endgate and you have to lift the mechanism up to access the speed control adjusting screw.
So looks like i have a model B with a model C reproducer.
I am now suspicious that I have a machine that has been put together with parts from various models.
The timber lid has cut outs in it for the Lid Lock plates but the timber base plate and main box do not have any cut-outs at all to accommodate the locking parts.
Cheers

yes you have a model B
a few photos would help identification!

I think I have a top board for a Standard. It might be in pieces but it would accommodate the lid. Jerry

Hi old-bloke.
The Edison company didn't mark the first incarnations of the Standard as "A" or "B". It wasn't until litigation forced them to put out an endgate-less version for sale in New York that they started marking the model type: coincidentally also called the model C. The reproducer known as the model C came out around 1902 and was the 2 minute reproducer of choice until well after the introduction of the Standard model D. There is often confusion over this, especially with ebay sellers who see "model C" on the reproducer and think it's for the whole machine. The lid situation you mention sounds a bit odd and I'm having a hard time picturing it. I'll second Kirtley's call for photos.
Regards,
Martin

just need a bit of help to post photos.
what size photos are permitted and do you add them in the "ADD A FILE" section of the reply post?
Cheers