The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just purchased a Edison Standard A, it is a project machine. Are there any common problems with these machines? (i.e. frozen bearings or bad gears etc.).

Jerry P.

Make sure that everything is absolutely clean and free moving, especially the feed screw and half nut, otherwise it will not run smoothly. Make sure that the little wheel on the belt tensioner rotates absolutely freely. And always make sure you put a drop of light oil on the straight edge and feed screw, so the carriage can move freely.

Good luck
Andreas

The New Style Standard A is a pretty robust machine. Of all my machines, I tend to play mine the most. You will probably need to replace the rubber motor cushions as the originals will have perished long ago. It will help quiet the motor and will make cranking easier. Good luck!

Martin

martinola wrote:The New Style Standard A is a pretty robust machine. Of all my machines, I tend to play mine the most. You will probably need to replace the rubber motor cushions as the originals will have perished long ago. It will help quiet the motor and will make cranking easier. Good luck!

Martin

Where do I get the rubber motor cushions from? Are they just a piece of rubber that I can use?

In the past I have cut the washers from red rubber sheet gasket material. Lately I have gone to using neoprene grommets from Home Depot. I cut them in half to form two washers. I like the "springy" quality of the neoprene and think that it may help absorb a bit more vibration. I'm sure others will have better suggestions, but these will get you going. Good luck with your new machine!

Martin

An Edison Standard that is clean and serviced is just about a bullet proof machine. It was a wonderfully designed and compact machine. The only glitch is the pot metal bearing on the later Standards. Even then, I'd rather replace a half dozen Standard bearings rather than one Home or Triumph pot metal bearing. I always recommend that new collectors or first time buyers look for a 2&4 minute Standard.

Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:An Edison Standard that is clean and serviced is just about a bullet proof machine. It was a wonderfully designed and compact machine. The only glitch is the pot metal bearing on the later Standards. Even then, I'd rather replace a half dozen Standard bearings rather than one Home or Triumph pot metal bearing. I always recommend that new collectors or first time buyers look for a 2&4 minute Standard.

Jerry Blais

Thanks Jerry B!

Sounds like a nice machine. I also recommend the newer collectors and first time collectors to get a 2/4 machine.

I have been around awhile, I usually play my 4 minutes on the Edison Amberola 30 (I bought from you last year, a great machine btw).
I also have a Edison Home with 2/4 gearing and a Edison Fireside A which plays 2/4 min.

As for my 2 minute cylinders I usually play them on the Edison Home and Fireside, or the Columbia BK (which does not get as much use lately).
For quick demonstration of brown wax, I use the Columbia B and Q machines.

Once the Standard is finished it may be my 2 minute player that I use most.

Make sure your belt tension is good and all the gears line up. Spin the top unit several times with out the belt to make sure all the gears are OK and free. It should rotate easily several times. Make sure the belt is aligned correctly and not hitting the side when it rotates. Enjoy yourself and take your time. If you have any problems contact the forum for help. These are nice machines to play with and learn, with lots of parts easily available...Tom B

Thanks to all the fellow collectors and forum members that have responded and helped with great info and advice. I received the machine and cleaned it up, lubricated it, installed the belt, rebuilt the reproducer, and now it sounds great. I still need to replace the motorboard support screw or pin that holds the motor up for lubrication.

This little machine is a great cylinder phono. I ordered some bedplate decals from Greg Cline, and will be replacing the trademark signature and lines and tuffs on the corners, followed by shellac of the bedplate.

Since I already have a Amberola 30, Fireside A and converted the gearing on my Edison Home B to play 4 minute cylinders, I am leaving this one as a 2 minute player.

As for the shaver, this one has the bolt and pin for the shaver, but missing the attachment, and leaving it as is, I hear that the shavers do not work well and have heard complaints they have even damaged good cylinders.

Here are some photos of my completed Standard A.