The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Good Morning,
I know with all the knowledgeable people someone may have a answer to my question. I have just purchased a inexpensive Silvertone 5807 to repair and play with during the cold weather. The only info. I can find on this machine is that they were sold by Sears. It is a portable, crank wind 78 RPM player, I will try to get a picture on here if possible to help identify it, thank you in advance for your input.
Bob

eBay Item #303804536259

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-PHONOG ... 2749.l2648

Wow. That's a plastic tone arm. Never saw one before on a wind-up phonograph. Old plastic can be very brittle. Tread lightly.

I spotted a nearly identical model, in terms of its design, but it's equipped with what looks to be a conventional pot metal tonearm:
My guess would be that it dates from about 1937-1940.

OrthoFan
(Resident PNG)

JerryVan wrote:Wow. That's a plastic tone arm. Never saw one before on a wind-up phonograph. Old plastic can be very brittle. Tread lightly.

Not to worry. It isn't plastic---it's "Bakalit." Strongest stuff known to man!

Henry wrote:

JerryVan wrote:Wow. That's a plastic tone arm. Never saw one before on a wind-up phonograph. Old plastic can be very brittle. Tread lightly.

Not to worry. It isn't plastic---it's "Bakalit." Strongest stuff known to man!

Bakelite is plastic. But, your correct in that it would be far tougher than what I had in mind.

JerryVan wrote:

Henry wrote:

JerryVan wrote:Wow. That's a plastic tone arm. Never saw one before on a wind-up phonograph. Old plastic can be very brittle. Tread lightly.

Not to worry. It isn't plastic---it's "Bakalit." Strongest stuff known to man!

Bakelite is plastic. But, your correct in that it would be far tougher than what I had in mind.

Yeah, I knew it was plastic. Just trying to make a little joke (very little!). But Bakelite, or Baekelight to be correct, since it was invented by Leo Baekeland, is brittle, and I wouldn't trust it any more than other plastics, like polystyrene. I have a c. 1950 Telechron clock (1H1308) with a Baekelight case which has needed several repairs with epoxy due to cracking. Let the buyer beware....

As a kid (in 1967) a friend bought one much like this one at a local rummage sale. His had the more typical pot metal arm, as I recall. But---he could remove the record tray from the inside and then play it with the cover closed. The only portable I've seen where you could do that (until the electrics in the 1930s-40s). Also had those cool little sliders in the grille to control the volume. For as many portables as I've owned, never saw another one of these until this post.

As usual you guys came thru, Thank You all for your responses, I may look for a medal arm to be used as a replacement if needed, have a great day and stay safe!
Bob