The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am offering this as a project only because I can't figure out why it won't run longer than just about 2 minutes. Look at the pictures and you can see where someone has countless hours into the restoration of this very desirable Model A Graphophone. The slotted machine screws in the motor have all been replaced with allen head screws. It is as clean as they get and the gears all look great. The upper works all are completely free and smooth. I'm convinced that the problems are in the motor/gearset/springs. I have worked on too many machines to count and usually I figure it out. But the older I get the less patience I have. If you see the picture with the springs unwound, that is fully unwound. there is no tension on either one yet they are unwound at different diameters, and this is out of the case, obviously it would split the case open if it unwound this much installed. AT least one of the springs has been replaced I believe. Again, I don't know anything about its past, this is just how I found it. The bedplate has obviously been re-plated and the upper works casting has been painted and re-decorated with new decals. The case still retains its original finish and decal. The inside of the case has had some work done and the alignment pins do not line up perfectly, which will need some work. I am throwing in a correct Model A lid but it did not come with this machine. Someone can work on it and hopefully get the color to match, it's very dark and dirty but solid. It is missing one latch. Not pictured but I will also throw in a reproduction crank. It does not come with a reproducer or horn. This could be an easy fix, my next step was to start loosening some of the journal screws, something must be bound up. Whoever gets it will have a showy machine with a small investment, albeit at my expense. I have many more pictures so PM me for more pics of specifics. The only work I want to do on it now is pack it up! Speaking of shipping, I prefer to send it in 2 boxes. Shipping costs will be actual and I do a great job of packing. Payment must be personal check or money order only. I'm working on a few projects right now and if they don't cooperate look for them to be here next! Thanks for looking. Joe Filer

I am guessing that the spring on the left is original...?

Even with the single spring, the A has been known to lift the bedplate out of the case while playing.

I'm not sure whether the double spring option was available from the Columbia catalogue; but the Sears Roebuck catalogue for 1900 depicts an A, and mentions a double spring motor.

In any case, this is a nice machine, with an early New York decal.

Bill

The motor will be no more powerful than its weakest spring. It needs a new spring to replace the old one and create a balance between the two. It essentially has half the run time capacity because it has only half the compliment of useful springs.

BTW, very nice! (I'd loose the Allen head screws however, but that's just me.)

JerryVan wrote:The motor will be no more powerful than its weakest spring. It needs a new spring to replace the old one and create a balance between the two. It essentially has half the run time capacity because it has only half the compliment of useful springs.

BTW, very nice! (I'd loose the Allen head screws however, but that's just me.)

Thanks, Jerry. You might be on the right track.........and if nobody buys it I will take your approach and change what appears to be the weak spring. I agree on the allen heads, but at this point I don't but I have enough original correct screws to replace them all. Thanks a lot of screws to change. Thank you for your help. Joe