Standard A's

[dutchman]

Question about platters. I have 2 Standard model A's. One platter is about ½ inches thick, the other machine
platter is a little over ⅛ thick and appears cast. About what time period did all this occur? Thanks Bill k

[Phonofreak]

The thin cast iron platter were used on the earliest front and rear mount machines. The client machines were a little later because Columbia had left over parts. The thin turntables came out around 1902 until around 1909 or so. The client machines used these thin turntables from around 1905 until around 1910 or 11. The thicker turntable was used around 1909 through around 1915 on the later horned machines and client ones. Also, I'm sure there is overlap, because information on this is quite sketchy. I hope this helps.
Harvey Kravitz

[Dave D]

Harvey,
How do you know this stuff? I don't doubt you one bit, but I am curious as to the source of this information.
Dave D

[dutchman]

Harvey,
How do you know this stuff? I don't doubt you one bit, but I am curious as to the source of this information.
Dave D

Yeah, anyway how do you know this stuff?

Thanks, really appreciate the information. Bill K

[Phonofreak]

I have the Columbia books. Also, I read and study all of my MAPS publications and now the APS journals. In my early days of collecting, I was fortunate to have experienced collectors show me the ropes so to speak. Also, I have the whole compendium series. When I started getting serious about 20 years ago, I bought every book on the subject. I have been collecting for about 30 years ago. To the newer collectors, buy every book you can think of. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Meet other collectors and go to shows when you can. Above all join APS. It took me many years to gain this knowledge. That's how you learn.
Harvey Kravitz

[Uncle Vanya]

That, and the knowledge of how the tooling which was used to manufacture these machines advanced, catalogue illustrations, and handling a couple hundred machines over the years all combine to give an experienced collector a more or less intuitive knowledge. Mr Kravitz is perhaps a trifle early the time of the appearance of the ¼" thick edge turntables, for about 1909 the dust rings disappeared from the more expensive machine. At this time, turntables with rounded nickled edges became standard. The ¼" flat edge turntable was adopted for cheap machines rather later. As Mr. Kravitz noted, Columbia was notorious for using up sticks of obsolete parts on client machines from time to time, with no apparent rhyme or reason.

[Phonofreak]

Thanks for that little detail, Uncle. I don't know everything That's how you learn. Also, I'm always looking for old catalogs and reproduction ones, too. Old Sears catalogs, original and reproduction give an insight of the Columbia and client machines.
Harvey Kravitz

That, and the knowledge of how the tooling which was used to manufacture these machines advanced, catalogue illustrations, and handling a couple hundred machines over the years all combine to give an experienced collector a more or less intuitive knowledge. Mr Kravitz is perhaps a trifle early the time of the appearance of the ¼" thick edge turntables, for about 1909 the dust rings disappeared from the more expensive machine. At this time, turntables with rounded nickled edges became standard. The ¼" flat edge turntable was adopted for cheap machines rather later. As Mr. Kravitz noted, Columbia was notorious for using up sticks of obsolete parts on client machines from time to time, with no apparent rhyme or reason.

[Talkophone]

Actually Harvey is full of you know what.

Larry Strong

[Phonofreak]

Lots of good info!!!!! Glad to help out
Harvey Kravitz

Actually Harvey is full of you know what.

Larry Strong