The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A forum member (rizbone) very graciously gave me this XII to work on as a project while we’re all still stuck inside, and while it is going to be tough I think the rarity of the machine deserves some effort. There are multiple pieces separated and just laying with the machine, but it seems like a lot of the chips and pieces are with it. I’ll keep everybody updated as I work on this machine. I really hope I can save this!

NOW THAT is a project! Best of luck with the restoration!

David

Best of luck. It is amazing what you can accomplish with patience and care. Very cool machine.

It’s gonna be excellent to see one of these scarce machine up and working again!

Although I picked this machine up last week, yesterday was the first time I did anything with it (I had to wait for my hide glue to arrive.) This is my first time doing any sort of restoration this ambitious, so I welcome any comments on how I can improve my technique. I started by reattaching the broken off back piece (shown in the first photo, the part with the data plate) and the associated trim pieces. That set last night, and this morning I've tried to reinforce the back corner of the machine. I'll probably have to tighten up all the corners, but this was the worst.

I have a beat up IX cabinet that is beyond help, so I plan on using bits of that veneer to patch the missing parts of this machine. I'm focusing on getting this structurally back together first, and then I'm going to work on that atrocious finish. Stay tuned! I'm excited to hopefully bring this machine back from the grave. With all of my summer activities cancelled, I have the time!

I know hide glue is period correct... but what's the benefit of using hide glue over wood glue? I do not mean to hijack this thread.. but should I glue my herzog cabinet with hide glue instead of wood glue for it to be restored correctly?

Anyways, it looks great so far! I love watching these kinds of projects!

David

I'm using hide glue because it's easily reversible. Water will clean up even dried up glue easily, and bonds can be undone with water as well. I've also just been taught that's what you need to do on a piece like this, but I've used white glue before without negative results.

Hi Greg-
Glad you and rizbone made contact- He's a good guy- I had seen the XII several times, but have to say that it appears to be more of a project than I remembered. You will learn a lot as you plow through the challenges. Knowing your attention to detail, I'm excited to see the finished product. Take your time and have fun! Let me know if you need any parts. No telling what all I have in the garage.

Brad Abell

GregVTLA wrote:I'm using hide glue because it's easily reversible. Water will clean up even dried up glue easily, and bonds can be undone with water as well. I've also just been taught that's what you need to do on a piece like this, but I've used white glue before without negative results.

Hey Greg,

Thank you for the response. I'll give hide glue a try! what brand are you using?


David

outune wrote:Hi Greg-
Glad you and rizbone made contact- He's a good guy- I had seen the XII several times, but have to say that it appears to be more of a project than I remembered. You will learn a lot as you plow through the challenges. Knowing your attention to detail, I'm excited to see the finished product. Take your time and have fun! Let me know if you need any parts. No telling what all I have in the garage.

Brad Abell

Thank you for putting me into contact with him! And I appreciate your confidence!

dzavracky wrote:
Hey Greg,

Thank you for the response. I'll give hide glue a try! what brand are you using?


David

I'm using Titebond hide glue.

Stay tuned for some more progress, I did some more gluing last night!