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I recently acquired an Edison Opera but the horn posed quite a challenge as it had been broken into four panels and then horribly restored with a yellow glue and auto body filler.

I decided to take on the challenge by stripping off the damaged finish, then chipping out the glue and filler. I built a mold and set out to slowly glue each panel back together. This stage took several attempts to get the panels to line up correctly. After filling the gaps and damaged rim I exposed the raw wood by sanding. This opened the wood up for a Brown Mahogany wiping stain which highlighted the grain nicely. I applied 7 layers of amber shellac, sanding the last two layers with 230 and 400 sand paper. I then applied one layer of shellac mixed with mahogany stain to give the horn a red tinge. I finished off with three more layers of amber shellac and sanding with 400 sand paper.

Originally I intended on selling this machine and refinished horn to finance buying another machine which is for sale nearby with an original horn, but it turned out so well it is going to be tough to let it go.

What do you think?

Bruce

WOW!!!!, did that bell ever turn out great. Well done Bruce.

Hi Bruce,
You did a fantastic job. You wouldn't know it was the same horn. What did these moulds you made look like?
Pete

Beautiful

I think you did a wonderful job!

George P.

I would have a difficult time letting that one go. It looks stunning.

Wonderful... I love to see what can be brought back from the dead. I am also curious to know what type of mold you used?

It looks terrific! I agree, it would be tough to sell and it means more when you've got yourself invested in the machine. Jerry

Beautiful job - keep it. The horn has a story behind it now and you two are forever linked. Cheers

Bill K

Very nice indeed. A "keeper."

Clay