The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a load of spare parts and motors in my garage everything from about 20 sound boxes in a shoe box to old guvnor shafts.

I would like to know what machine I should "create" whatever I do will be ensure good tracking to minimise record wear so at the moment I am stuck between making a small portable machine similar in design to the Columbia 100 or making a 'hornless' model or anything else I am open to suggestions! The case would be homemade I am ok at woodwork so could easily build a custom sized case for a portable or anything else of simple design but not hornless or cabinet gramophones I am not that good! Although I do have a few empty cabinets! so you never know.

Thanks, Jake

P.s - I will post pictures when I am done (or at least try to)

I have always thought of making a phonograph similar to a Pathé Jeunesse. It is a simple design with a horn sticking out of the cabinet below the turntable... for some reason that design really appeals to me.

You can see various pics of the entire machine here:
http://www.graphonogram.com/2-id-331-Pathé-salon.html

I shall have a look through my parts. I think I have a small witches hat bell to use for the front.

How about hiding the mechanical stuff in other things?

A cylinder in the cistern, and the horn in a toilet?

Or a "wind up" microwave?

Or the top box of a motorbike with a muffler as a horn?

Or a brace as the winder to a tool box with a horn made from a big old oil funnel?

Or a musical, weather proof wheelie bin?