The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've been looking for a reamer for my Amberol records and I would like to know how much should I spend on one and where I should get one from.

Hello,
If you go to EBay and do a search for " Cylinder record reamer" you will find two current listings. The one offered for $30.99 is the same as the one I bought a couple of years ago. It work great!
Pete

I am also considering the purchase of a reamer, but could only find one current listing on UK Ebay at $42.99 plus $16.75 international postage. The seller trades as "bountifulantiques".

Perhaps the seller with the lower price does not send outside the USA, but could you please post the link just in case?

$42 is a bit pricey, although the ones for sale are much better made than mine. I paid $30-odd a few years ago.

These are useful gadgets, but here is a couple of tips from experience. Firstly, keep the reamer clear of removed material frequently. If not, it can snag and damage the remaining plaster lining - a small wire brush does the trick. Secondly, put a mark at the diameter you want to ream to. If not, it is very easy to over-ream and ruin an otherwise fine cylinder.

You have been warned!

Keith

I will probably get jumped on for this, but I took an old mandrel I had lying around and put 3 strips of sandpaper on it. When I use it, I make sure to only let the cylinder go to the end of the mandrel. It has worked for me for many years, and didn't cost a penny.
And one more thing, never throw away a split cylinder without saving the old plaster inside. I have fixed some high dollar cylinders with the old plaster.