The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello, I recently aquired a cheney talking machine. Looking for a little help and some info. Does anyone know approx what year this machine was made.? See pic.
The machine was not working when I received it. I took the motor out and cleaned it up a bit and lubed it some and it seemed to have "freed" itself up. I put it back together and cranked her up to test. Seemes to work now with one issue. The turntable starts spinning and slowly spins faster and faster until it really flies and the reord sounds like the chimpmunks christmas album. Am I missing something? is there some kind of setting to prevent this. I tried moving the speed dial but that really does nothing. Does this sound like a simple fix or a motor rebuild?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Also approx what would this machine be worth in its current condition. I also have about 50 records.

pics attached.

Cheneys were manufactured after the Victor Talking Machine Company's fundamental patents expired 1916-1918, so it would be safe to say your Cheney dates to about 1920.

The speed problem is likely related to an issue with the governor, and/or the mechanism that retards the governor to control the speed. Detailed photos of those specific areas would be required for accurate diagnosis. Off-hand, I would suspect something is either sticking (needs cleaned/lubed) or is misaligned in the regulation mechanism (somewhere between the underside of the speed control dial and the padded yoke that retards the governer).

Anything is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Having said that, probably in the $250 range complete and running perfectly with rebuilt motor and reproducers (Cheneys were equipped with two reproducers -- one for lateral groove records, the other for vertical groove records). Looks like yours is missing the needle disposal cup, and has had the original grille cloth replaced with an inappropriate fabric. Collector demand is rather low for these which moderates the value. Ungraded, unsorted records are worth .50-$1.00/ea., but individual records may be worth more upon sorting and grading.

Great. Thank you for the info. I suspected it was an issue with the governer as well. And yes I do have both reproducers although I did not know what each one was for. I thought it was just a spare..

The stair-step reproducer rest is also a gauge to set the needles into the chuck of the lateral reproducer at various lengths in order to achieve loud, medium, and soft volumes.