The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey guys, I've been away from the hobby for a little while, but now I find myself with a basket case green oak Model A Standard. There's a part on the mandrel that I don't recognize... a large metal disc with holes in it. As it is, it hangs loosely on the shaft connected to the mandrel. Any ideas on what the heck this thing might be?

My suggestion will sound silly... It looks like the upper part of a mandrel for inter cylinders. Totally insuitable for an Edison standard!
Jeff

That does look pretty close, but what is an inter cylinder?

Also called « Intermediate Salon » in the UK, these cylinders were introduced by Pathé and, most of the time, played on a phonograph with floating horn. A slip on mandrel (see pic) was inserted on the standard mandrel to switch from the standard to the inter format (3 ½" x 4" ).
Jeff

The part in question did not come from the factory with your Standard. Perhaps it was added in an attempt to keep the belt from riding up and off of the upper pulley. A good belt with proper pulley alignment should work fine. Perhaps someone thought there should be a spacer of some sort. Bottom line... it's a mystery to me also!

Jerry Blais

Thanks for the info! It looks like the original mandrel came loose at one point and was soldered back on, and likely this part was added at this time- whatever the heck it was for.

To me, It looks like the bottom metal gasket from a center mounted reproducer arm(tone-arm)that comes from a Victor VV-50 possibly or Silvertone or Brumswick Disc machine.. That would be my "guess". Certainly not meant for an Edison! It appears that someone used it (re-purposed it) as a spacer.

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer