The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Over the winter months I purchased an Edison home phonograph. In the process of restoring it (it was in terrible shape), I broke the pot metal, which as I am sure you could guess really upset me. But I really want to have it work again, so my question is this.

How much is a good price for a new bed plate? Because there is a nice one on ebay for $79 (but really $97.53 with shipping). But i only paid $65 for the machine! so in car terms, the machine is totaled. Maybe it's the college student in me that thinks that $100 for a piece of cast iron that is only useful when you have the rest of the phonograph is too much?

so again, how much would you pay for a new bed plate? My dad tells me not to throw good money after bad, which is a good point. Should i just refinish the case and lid and make it something that is nice to look at?

It’s your machine and your decision. I hate defeat, so I would tend to through good money after bad. My advice would be to use this machine as a learning experience and complete the project. The learned skills and entertainment, not to mention the feeling of accomplishment should outweigh the financial consideration. Good luck.

Django wrote:It’s your machine and your decision. I hate defeat, so I would tend to through good money after bad. My advice would be to use this machine as a learning experience. The learned skills and entertainment, not to mention the feeling of accomplishment should outweigh the financial consideration. Good luck.

yes this is definitely a learning experience!

When you say, you broke the pot metal, what are you referring to?

If you mean you broke the bed plate, it's actually cast iron, which may or may not be repaired, depending on what is broken.

Regardless, I think you should repair it, otherwise you're just left with a bunch of parts and a useless machine.
If you're in no hurry, wait and another bed plate may come along that's cheaper. Even putting a wanted ad in the Yankee traders section here can't hurt.
Just be sure to specify which model Home you have and your general location is normally a good idea to include too.

What Model of Home was damaged? Could you provide a photo?

Jerry B.

Yes your correct I meant cast iron not pot metal.
It’s an Edison home model D with the 2/4 minuet gearing

Yes your correct I meant cast iron not pot metal.
It’s an Edison home model D with the 2/4 minuet gearing. The case cleaned up really nicely as well

Did you break the end of the bedplate off and the end of the feedscrew as well? If so, the repair may be more complex than anticipated... A couple more pics - one from the top looking down and one from the end, showing the broken end of the bedplate would be helpful...

I've used JB Weld (2 part epoxy) to successfully repair a broken piece of cast iron(this was an old hand crank drill press). This worked very well, and it was invisible. It was a part that was high stress and it never broke again. It doesn't look like there is a very large mating surface for the two pieces, but I would definitely try it, as what do you have to lose? After glueing you could even drill a small hole and insert a metal dowel to strengthen the bond if you wanted to.

Jonas

There are a lot of wooden things that you can put in your living room to look good. Only a phonograph can make music. I don't see the point of a non-working phonograph. Either fix it or get rid of it. Visitors will ask to hear it play and what will you say? If you fix it, fix it right. Don't worry about $100.