The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently picked up a Fireside project. The mandrel is scared through the nickel plating and into the brass. It looks terrible. Anyone have a spare mandrel to sell or trade? Thanks for checking your spare parts.

Jerry B.

Thanks for all the suggestions and shared knowledge. I was unaware there was a difference in mandrels between the A and B Firesides or the D and E Gems. I appreciate the good group we have here. Jerry

There is one on Ebay now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EDISON-FIRESID ... SwjxRgGy4w

Just in case you were not aware, the mandrels on the Fireside A & B are not interchangeable.
So depending on what model Fireside you have Jerry will dictate what mandrel you need.

Larry Crandell

Thanks Larry, You learn something new every day. Jerry

Jerry,
I have one like the one listed on Ebay. Not sure what the difference would be between the A and B mandrel. I cleaned a little bit of the nickel and it looks like it would all clean up fine. Let me know if you can use it.
Ken Brekke

Usually the weird stuff I remember, is because I learned it the hard way.

The mandrel on a Fireside B only has one gear (4 minute only) Like the one on eBay.
The mandrel on a Fireside A has two gears, this allows the 2 & 4 minute function to work.

Its the same on a Gem E, one gear on the mandrel, 4 minute only
A Gem D has two gears on the mandrel for the 2 & 4 minute function.

Larry Crandell

Thanks for the information Larry. That makes perfect sense.

Jerry B. wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:32 am Thanks Larry, You learn something new every day. Jerry

As my old Farmer Friend used to say after the above quote : " Die and forget it all ! "

Happy planting Uncle Howard