The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone have a good method for installing the lid release tab mechanisms on Edison Standards, Homes, Triumphs, etc. It almost always is difficult to reassemble that part of a machine after refinishing and have it work easily. Any suggestions would sure be appreciated.

Thanks, Jerry Blais

Jerry, the area that the latch needs re-installing need to be squeaky clean. It must be free of varnish or any type of debris, otherwise the latch assembly will not fit or align right. I know when I restore an Edison cabinet, the area of the latch is unfinished, and looks a little rough. If you have varnish in that area, it will have to be removed for the latch to fit right.
Harvey Kravitz

The tab releases don’t need any shimming, BUT the lid plates do!!!!! Sometimes you can use some thin pieces of Manila paper to shim the plates so they fit into the bed plate frame. In WORST CASES you can use ultra-thin pieces of walnut veneer to shim the locking tabs to angle them just-so.