The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had this one for a couple years waiting to be restored and when I also had a 17 and 18, thought it would be great to add there flagship 16 to the mix so I made it a priority to get finished before the 18 I had up for sale sold and I just made it. Someone had chopped the shelf out of this one, there was what looked like mold on it, the shellac was ruined but the veneer was in fairly good shape. After doing the 17 and 18, this 16 was really simple with lots of flat surfaces to sand. I have to say, I really have this restoration process down really good. it took lots of work but I really think I have a process that really works well and produces a near flawless product that would be up to Victor-Victrola standards if they were still around.

Motor Rebuild for the spring barrels I used Fully Synthetic Amsoil off road grease with 5% moly, it really works great for springs. I use mobile 1 synthetic for the work gear, governor and others. One thing I do that I recommend to all motor rebuilders is to grind the ends of the governor to remove the dimple from the ball bearing so it rides flat on the bearing. I also replace the bearings with new modern bearings, made much better with better steel not available back a 100 years ago and will last forever. I also grind flat the worm gear end where it rides on the ball bearing and replace that bearing as well with a new one. with this and the new grease, these motors are super smooth, quiet and absolutely no spring thump, ever.

Here is the Victrola 1917 English brown mahogany fully restored back to its original glory but first had to fix the missing shelf that somone sawed out for some reason, the replacement came out great, a perfect match.

Wow really nice job!

David

Looks terrific. Jerry B.

Beautiful!

Bob S.

You gave that a new lease on its life!

James.

Drop dead gorgeous job, Jon!

Awesome job!!!

Jonsheff does it again!

I hope you one day write a treatise for the community of your methods which are of a very high standard. I also hope you are able to continue to resurrect Victrolas for years to come. Once again, congratulations.

Yours looks a lot better than mine .. Great restoration.. Tom