The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello All,

Since I've been asking some questions and updating my progress on my newest purchase, a rare 1921 VE-130. Most recently, I've been working on the cabinet, I gave it a deep clean using goop, (went over it about 5 times) It was extremely dirty. then, after making sure it was indeed clean, I Amalgamated the cabinet very carefully, and tried my best to fix a large area of damage on the front left door, it came out very well and looks much better than it did, unfortunately, it shows up on camera a lot more than in person. the only thing that is left is to finish rebuilding the motor and buy/install a new resistor. Thanks to Chuck Azzalina I was able to track one down. Thanks Chuck! I have included a video walk-around, hope you enjoy, its been a fun project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTb6cnftQaE

Wow that’s really nice!

I just watched your YouTube video. Nice job on your restoration of the 130.

As an old fart of 63, it makes me happy to see youngsters getting into the hobby.

Glenn

Damfino59 wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 12:17 am Wow that’s really nice!

I just watched your YouTube video. Nice job on your restoration of the 130.

As an old fart of 63, it makes me happy to see youngsters getting into the hobby.

Glenn

Glenn,

Thanks a lot for the kind comment! Theres a few of us younger guys out there. proud to report the hobby is still going strong!

Great job Ben. It's coming out nicely. Having at least one electric model in the collection is nice for the days you don't feel like cranking a lot but want some old tunes playing.

Very nice! I like that it still shows some signs of age and doesn't look like a total refinish.

After you install your new resistors, don't be surprised if the motor is still sluggish. The brushes and commutator tend to get gummed up with old oil which adds a lot of drag and greatly reduces their conductivity. If this is the case, don't just add oil. They need to be carefully cleaned and run without any oil.

travisgreyfox wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 3:29 am Great job Ben. It's coming out nicely. Having at least one electric model in the collection is nice for the days you don't feel like cranking a lot but want some old tunes playing.

Thanks Travis!

JerryVan wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 7:55 am Very nice! I like that it still shows some signs of age and doesn't look like a total refinish.

After you install your new resistors, don't be surprised if the motor is still sluggish. The brushes and commutator tend to get gummed up with old oil which adds a lot of drag and greatly reduces their conductivity. If this is the case, don't just add oil. They need to be carefully cleaned and run without any oil.

Jerry,

Thanks for the tip! I was thinking about that, how would you go about cleaning the commutator and the brushes, the ones on my motor look good, but just tarnished and black. Definitely old oil. I haven't tried anything invasive, and don't plan to until I have the proper instructions.

Thanks