The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If a Gem has a 3/16" hole for the crane, was the crane made of ¼" rod and the end was turned down to 3/16? Or was the rod 3/16"?
I appreciate the help with this.
Dave D

Dave, I looked at my early Gems, and the crane rod was 3/16". The ones I checked were my Branded Case, Model A, and Model B. My Model C and D used the ¼" crane rod.
Harvey Kravitz

The rod size on my Gem B is the larger of the two sizes. Jerry B.

Thanks, guys. So, when the larger rod is 3/16", what size is the smaller rod that slides down inside the 3/16" base section. Cam you tell I want to make one?

Jerry, Is your Model B Gem a banner one or the later one? My Gem is a banner one and the 3'16" rod fits. I guess the change was made with the later Model B Gems. Like I said before, my Model C & D Gems used a ¼" rod.
Harvey Kravitz

Jerry B. wrote:The rod size on my Gem B is the larger of the two sizes. Jerry B.

Dave, If you wish to make a crane, take your Gem to a business that sells welding supplies. Once you figure out the correct size for your Gem, you should have a choice of rods. It's an easy project. Jerry Blais

Dave, The earlier 3/16" crane rod is one piece. The later ¼" crane rod is a two piece version. On the later crane rod, a smaller rod telescopes into the larger rod before the bend.
Harvey Kravitz

Jerry B. wrote:Dave, If you wish to make a crane, take your Gem to a business that sells welding supplies. Once you figure out the correct size for your Gem, you should have a choice of rods. It's an easy project. Jerry Blais

I had planned to use 1018 cold rolled steel rod, but I will visit my friend who is a welder and see what is out there.
Dave

Phonofreak wrote:Dave, The earlier 3/16" crane rod is one piece. The later ¼" crane rod is a two piece version. On the later crane rod, a smaller rod telescopes into the larger rod before the bend.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks, Harvey. I did not know that they were one piece.
Dave