The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What kind of gasket material is used in the automatic reproducer with the glass diaphragm?

Come on forum members... Someone help out here...sorry phonogal, I am not sure which type is used...

Good luck

Black rubber is what Steve Medved uses for rebuilds.

I know that Ron Sitko sells a fatter gasket, with the same outside diameter as a C but it goes wider towards the center, although I will say most gaskets made today, are not as soft as the originals were when new.

Thank you for the responses. I don't know whether I will attempt a rebuild or not. I did reconnect the little disc to the diaphragm that attaches to the needle bar with a drop of shellac as recommended. It doesn't look like a gasket is in there. It almost looks like it is sealed with a darkened shellac (very hard). Some areas of this are missing so I think it will come apart. I just don't want to break the diaphragm as I understand it is really fragile. I think it will sound much better with a rebuild though.

If the diaphragm is held by shellac this should dissolve with alcohol.

wjw wrote:If the diaphragm is held by shellac this should dissolve with alcohol.

Thank you. I'll try that.

Most likely it is not shellac in an automatic,it is really hardened rubber acetone might dissolve it, if it is left in it for a long time, WD-40 also makes rubber soft and spongy.