The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All
Has anyone in the UK got a spare cylinder reamer willing to sell. I have a few Blue Amberols which do not fit on the mandrel.
Regards Brian (zapper)

You may have discovered, as I did, that all the reamers for sale on eBay are in the USA, and that their sellers do not post to the UK.
I had to wait until someone I knew was visiting the USA. I bought the reamer and had it delivered to the address where he was staying. He then brought it back to the UK in his hand luggage.

I had this problem too so I removed a mandrel from a phonograph and using a lathe a local woodworker copied it. It has extra length to act as handle. I then stuck strips of heavy duty abrasive paper along the length. Strips from a power sander belt will last a long time. You could even use a mandrel spare part.

He refused to charge me! Why? Just after world war 2 his brother bought a large house that needed clearing. One room was as enormous library of cylinder records which he helped his brother clear and destroy. A lot of work. They considered them obsolete at the time but he always felt guilty about it so wouldn’t charge me for this cylinder record project.

Marvelous... and horrible!!! I've listened to similar stories about 78rpm dealers clearing houses with full libraries of them... too much for my imagination. I get sick every time I think of those...
It's the passing of times and things... unavoidable destruction...

Update. Many months ago I posted a request for a cylinder reamer. At last a UK ebay seller posted a reamer, so I have now started the task of reaming all the blue amberols.
If anyone is looking for a reamer have a look on ebay now.
Zapper

I don't know whether you have used a reamer before, but I find that the job is best done outside on a calm day.
The fine dust gets everywhere and inhaling it would be unwise, as no-one knows exactly what may be in it.
When the cylinder has been reamed I clean it inside and out with a slightly damp cloth to remove any remaining dust.
When the abrasive on the reamer gets clogged with dust I clear it using a fine wire brush.

Thank you epigramophone for your wise advise. I will take care reaming about 50 cylinders.
regards Zapper

Folks, if anyone over there or anywhere else needs something that a seller has in USA but is too addled to want to post overseas, I'm willing to be an intermediary since I ship worldwide quite often. Always willing to assist.