The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi guys!

A few years ago my dad bought me a really cool Edison standard B. It has just been standing in our living room for a long time, sometimes I listen to a record though. I am thinking of restoring it; cleaning up the motor (I have no idea how to dismantle it, I need some advice), refinishing the case and repainting the bed plate. Since this is my first restoration I am very nervous.
A few days ago I removed the bed plate with the motor out of the case. Afterwards I unhooked the leather belt, the motor then ran almost uncontrolled. Is that normal? And does it affect the strength of the spring?
I'll try to keep a restoration diary.
Thanks a lot!!

Greetings form Switzerland!
Joey

Joey,

Welcome to the hobby/addiction. There is a book called "The Compleat Talking Machine" that explains all the basics you need to know about restoring your machine. You'll also find the answers to many questions simply by using the search function of this board.

You'll find that refinishing and repainting are rarely needed and that simply cleaning with Goop or similar cleaner will make the machine look much better.

Good luck with your Edison!

Kevin

Welcome to the Forum Joey. The Edison Standard is a fine machine. Would it be possible to post some photos of your machine? We could give better suggestions regarding the reconditioning of your machine. Best wishes, Jerry Blais

Hi guys.

Thanks to you two for so quick answers. Sorry for not replying, this week I was quite busy since Christmas is around the corner.

Today I decided to disassemble the whole motor to really remove the grease properly. It looks like it hasn't been touched since it came out of the factory, soooo much hardened oil and grease mixed with dust. I also cleaned every space between the teeth of every cog with tooth picks. Wow, that took a long time, but I think it's worth it. I have not finished cleaning everything yet.

Here are some pictures:

Greetings
Joey

Hi Joey.

The motor parts almost sparkle. Very nice. Although it's hard to tell from your photo, the case doesn't look too bad. I'd really think long and hard before stripping off an original finish. Once it's off, it will never be original again. The appearance of an original finish can be greatly enhanced by careful cleaning. If you search this site, you will find some great options to refinishing. The best advice I can offer is to take it slow. Good luck with your Standard!

Martin

Wow, the motor will look like new. I agree with everything Martin wrote including his comment about the case. I hope you will show us a before photo of the case. There are some good cleaners that will really help. Jerry Blais

here's what you might expect from an old finish... when I got this Triumph it was damaged, missing parts and really sad looking. lots of elbow grease later it looks great (I think) while still retaining the original finish.

Your machine looks great... but I couldn't help notice your blue decorated salt glaze pottery jar. Is it an old piece or does someone in your area still make it? It looks very much like Betschdorf pottery from Alsace...

Hi guys!

The motor parts almost sparkle. Very nice. Although it's hard to tell from your photo, the case doesn't look too bad. I'd really think long and hard before stripping off an original finish. Once it's off, it will never be original again. The appearance of an original finish can be greatly enhanced by careful cleaning. If you search this site, you will find some great options to refinishing. The best advice I can offer is to take it slow. Good luck with your Standard!

Yeah, I also think the case ought to be lightly restored, keeping the original finish. Since I have no experience with woodwork, I'm going to have it professionally restored. The decals have been already ordered from Greg Cline. He's decals are apparently very good.

Your machine looks great... but I couldn't help notice your blue decorated salt glaze pottery jar. Is it an old piece or does someone in your area still make it? It looks very much like Betschdorf pottery from Alsace...

The pot is an early piece from the 30's. Those days they stored cooking butter or dry food inside, and when it was empty they made Sauerkraut. It was presumably made in Switzerland.


I put the motor back together, but I have not touched the mainspring yet. My father (mechanic) and I will probably have a look at it on boxing day; take it out, clean it and re grease it. What do you think?
I also took the bed plate apart, it surely needs repainting... The paint is flaking off and there's rust underneath.

Perhaps you don't need to re-paint the entire top part of the bedplate. What I may suggest is to maybe just re-paint the stantions that need re-painting, and blend them into the original top finish of what is left, and then re-stripe the gold, then shellac over that, and just repaint the bottom if need be. The idea is to leave as much original finish as possible. I have done it myself before on certain machines with excellent results. I see the front signature is in really good shape.. Why get rid of it when you don't have to? You can also polish whatever finish is left on the bedplate before you even think of starting on anything...to get a good idea of what is left of the original finish.

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer