The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently purchased some machines and included was this Edison Standard D serial number 658904. The very first thing I, or anyone else, would notice is the scarred mandrel. It is proof positive how not to remove the mandrel and shaft to replace the pot metal bushing. This machine and another D Standard had been through the hands of at least one previous collector and both D Standards had the same butchered mandrels. The damage was caused by grabbing the mandrel with channel locks. He should have used a block of wood and tapped off the mandrel. Then you can grab the shaft with whatever tool you prefer and any damaged is covered when you re-install the mandrel to the shaft. It's not a difficult repair.

Now the real reason for this thread. On every other D Standard that I've seen, the shiftable gear cluster for 2 or 4 minute operation spins on the shaft. On this machine the gears seem fixed to the shaft and the shaft spins in the top works casting. I've had the gear cluster out and soaked in solvent for some time and they are firmly fixed to the shaft. There is no rust and I've oiled things but they will not turn on the shaft. Also, please notice the screw in the front of the casting. Is this a spot to apply oil for the turning shaft? Has anyone else seen a D Standard with these features? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jerry Blais

Jerry, to answer your first question: The screw on the casting in front of the mandrel should have a hole in it. That's where you apply the oil. Looking at the gear cluster, it looks the same as any other 2/4 min Model D Standard. You push the knurled knob in or out for either 2 or 4 min. play. Everything looks complete, but it is hard to tell if anything is missing or not. Just my observations.
Harvey Kravitz

Jerry the screw you show in the front casting should actually be a set screw. Behind the set screw should be a spring and a metal spacer.

This was used to put pressure on the 2 & 4 shifting shaft so it would hold the position you put it in.

This set up is on the earlier model D's, the later model D's had the flat spring on the shaft for pressure.

When you took yours apart to clean it you may not have noticed that there was no flat spring or slot for one to be placed.

As far as your shaft turning instead of the gear on the shaft, I suspect the gear is frozen on the shaft.
The shaft should not turn, only push and pull to change gears. The gear should spin on the shaft.

Larry Crandell

Interesting. My model D #672814 has it but none of my later machines do.
This is the first time I really paid any attention to it. Does anybody else with a higher serial number have one of these on their model D (or F)? Thanks for bringing this up Jerry.

Martin