The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am referring to the Victrola No.2 and Exhibition flange reproductions sold for Sound-Box rebuilds. In the past I have bought these from different part suppliers but they all appear to have been made by the same source.

Anybody know where these are made and by what company? Probably outsourced to Chine or something?

I need to buy some brass inserts directly from the manufacturer without the rubber gasket molded around it.

-Thanks!

I am not sure where they are made..I know there used to be a credit for sending the old insert in so they could remold the rubber. I would think its just brass tubing with a pressed in pin.

I'm thinking the same. If you can find appropriate diameter brass rod (for the pin) and thin-wall brass tubing, it would be a routine matter to cobble up any number of inserts. I've heard that the company (IIRC, it was K&H or something like it) that was making brass shapes for many years for the model railroad trade, no longer does so. If this is true, you could look around on the web for source(s). I would solder the pin, rather than press-fit. Of course, everything would have to be carefully measured and accurately cut. This assumes that you have a prototype (original or after-market) to copy.

I don't think copper pipe for plumbing would be ideal (too thick-walled), but maybe that could be made to work.

The company to which you were referring is K & S and heard that they no longer will be making the brass tubes, etc.

I wonder if something like Delrin or a plastic would work better anyway? I hear the really fussing listeners say that the metal to metal contact of these flanges is not good for sound qualtity. I am not a critical listener, so it never bothered me.
Dave

Dave D wrote:The company to which you were referring is K & S and heard that they no longer will be making the brass tubes, etc.

Thanks, to bad they stopped making the tubes.

I had considered making some out of brass tubes as was suggested, though they are a little more complicated than just a tube with the insert pin. The original and reproduction inserts have brass wings molded into the outer part of the tube that grip on the rubber part around it, which also makes the insert more difficult to make. This prevents it from sliding out or twisting in the rubber gasket over time.

I will consider alternate possibilities. I have the technology to do high density rubber molding, but I can't make the brass inserts myself. This will be for angled flange gaskets which correct record tracking on some Victor phonographs.

Dave D wrote:The company to which you were referring is K & S and heard that they no longer will be making the brass tubes, etc.

I wonder if something like Delrin or a plastic would work better anyway? I hear the really fussing listeners say that the metal to metal contact of these flanges is not good for sound qualtity. I am not a critical listener, so it never bothered me.
Dave

It isn't the metal-to-metal contact. It is the compliance of the joint between the reproducer and the tone arm. The overly stiff rubber flanges not only negatively affect the quality of reproduction, but thy also greatly increase record wear.

Uncle Vanya wrote: It isn't the metal-to-metal contact. It is the compliance of the joint between the reproducer and the tone arm. The overly stiff rubber flanges not only negatively affect the quality of reproduction, but thy also greatly increase record wear.

Good point, the new gaskets do seem awfully hard. How dense were the originals when new?

I've noticed two types-one that use a new brass insert, and one that appear to have an original, re-used brass insert. The one with the new brass I purchased from Walt Summers and had to be reamed to fit the tone arm of my Credenza. The one that appears to use original brass came from Sitko and fit without problems.

I am not sure about the flanges. I have seen many exhibition flanges either become petrified or some seem kind of soft.

As far as gaskets I have purchased from Walt Sommers. His seem to be foam like but fit well and sound really good. The Victrola #2 reproducer competes well with my Victrola #4.