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Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 9:30 pm
by pughphonos
My love affair with Edison Home phonographs continues. After spending much of May and June in restoring a couple model As I've moved on to a model D and model B. I've been hoping to restore and have a second 2/4 machine and of course the model D would be the best bet as it came with the 2/4 gearing and didn't need to be converted.
As many of you know, though, model Ds often come with frozen mandrels due to pot metal bushings. The only complete one I bought (see "before" photo--got it for $185) had one of the frozen mandrels, and no amount of acid, hammering, etc. would budge it. I eventually just took a hacksaw to get the mandrel off and rescue the 2/4 gearing/pulley assembly. I also was able to save the motor works and cabinet. After that it was shopping around on E-bay for a new Home model D mandrel and top bedplate.
Was totally delighted to find (once I had sanded down to wood) how beautiful the oak was. The last couple of days has involved re-installing the 2/4 gearing and pulley assembly, which I'm sure many of you know is an INCREDIBLE PAIN. There are so many things you have to get exactly right and you are working blind to some extent when you push the mandel through the feed screw and then link it to the pulley assembly. I was about to resign myself to living with wobble, and/or one of the format settings--but this afternoon it finally came all together and I was able to tighten down the final screws. She plays beautfully. I don't want to tempt fate, though, and plan on leaving it in 4 min. mode and play my 2 minutes on one of my model As.
I don't know what I would have done without Brad Hurt, the Dyslexic Genius on YouTube, who has posted so many tutorials on Edison machines--right down to the tiniest screws.
My next project is restoring a model B Home. I have a 2/4 conversion kit for the model B, but it's impossible to predict if it will work or not--and how much crazy-making will happen. It's cabinet is pretty plain--nowhere near as beautiful as my model D--but some pressure is now off me with the model D project successfully completed.
Mindy P.
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 11:51 pm
by Curt A
They both look great...
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 12:08 am
by pughphonos
Curt A wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2024 11:51 pm
They both look great...
Thanks, Curt!
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 5:16 am
by Phono-Phan
Very nice.
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:04 am
by pughphonos
Phono-Phan wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 5:16 amVery nice.
Thanks Ken!
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:12 pm
by pughphonos
pughphonos wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2024 9:30 pm
100_1384.JPG100_1386.JPGMy love affair with Edison Home phonographs continues. After spending much of May and June in restoring a couple model As I've moved on to a model D and model B. I've been hoping to restore and have a second 2/4 machine and of course the model D would be the best bet as it came with the 2/4 gearing and didn't need to be converted.
As many of you know, though, model Ds often come with frozen mandrels due to pot metal bushings. The only complete one I bought (see "before" photo--got it for $185) had one of the frozen mandrels, and no amount of acid, hammering, etc. would budge it. I eventually just took a hacksaw to get the mandrel off and rescue the 2/4 gearing/pulley assembly. I also was able to save the motor works and cabinet. After that it was shopping around on E-bay for a new Home model D mandrel and top bedplate.
Was totally delighted to find (once I had sanded down to wood) how beautiful the oak was. The last couple of days has involved re-installing the 2/4 gearing and pulley assembly, which I'm sure many of you know is an INCREDIBLE PAIN. There are so many things you have to get exactly right and you are working blind to some extent when you push the mandel through the feed screw and then link it to the pulley assembly. I was about to resign myself to living with wobble, and/or one of the format settings--but this afternoon it finally came all together and I was able to tighten down the final screws. She plays beautfully. I don't want to tempt fate, though, and plan on leaving it in 4 min. mode and play my 2 minutes on one of my model As.
I don't know what I would have done without Brad Hurt, the Dyslexic Genius on YouTube, who has posted so many tutorials on Edison machines--right down to the tiniest screws.
My next project is restoring a model B Home. I have a 2/4 conversion kit for the model B, but it's impossible to predict if it will work or not--and how much crazy-making will happen. It's cabinet is pretty plain--nowhere near as beautiful as my model D--but some pressure is now off me with the model D project successfully completed.
Mindy P.
Interesting to read now what I wrote back then. That model D never really worked well and a few days ago I removed the top works from the cabinet--to either sell or give away. The cabinet now houses one of my three model B mechanisms (the only one not in a B cabinet). So, as summer 2024 slips away my love affair with the Home cylinder phonographs left a mixed legacy. They all took tons of my time, but at least the Bs eventually were worth the effort and now work well.
Re: Restoration of an Edison Home model D
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 8:59 am
by mjbarnes
Tinkering is a great way to learn; in fact it is the only way to gain familiarity with machines. This forum and Brad's videos are also very useful.
When I had exactly the same problem removing the mandrel from a similar machine somebody posted his solution. I repeat it here it because it is hard to find information on forums just when you need it.
1. Bang off the mandrel with a mallet, being careful to catch it.
2. Put strong vice grips around the now exposed shaft.
3. Loosen and lubricate with penetrating oil all the screws and bits related to the feed screw and pulley. Wait a day or two.
4. Twist back and forth vigorously with the vice grips while working the shaft off to the right.
That worked for me while muriatic acid didn't do much except melt off one of my corner ornaments. Well, for all I know the acid may have helped when it came time to work the shaft back and forth.
5. Once apart, start cleaning and restoring.