The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I’m reconing a Pathé Actuelle and for the life of me I cannot get the two halves of the conical discs at the apex of the cone apart. Does anyone have one that I can buy that is already apart?

You just need to unscrew the little washer shown in the photo below: use two pairs of pliers, one to hold in place the needle holder on the other side, and with the other pair of pliers rotate the washer until it starts to move, then you can unscrew it with your fingers.

+1

Send it to me Johnny, and I'll handle it!

Oops! I only noticed now that you were referring the the US Actuelle, not the French machine that has paper cone as well, the Diffusor. I have also two Actuelles, it should be easy to remove the metal cap, if you unscrew the little screw on top it will come loose, see below. The photo is from a spare arm that is awaiting to get a new paper cone, unfortunately destroyed by a cat that did not appreciate music.

Mine was extremely difficult to unscrew! I heated it up with a hair dryer on high and it seemed to help! Good luck!!