What is the best first project machine?

[Woody]

I’m asking this more out of curiosity than anything else. (It would be fun to try to restore a machine, someday, but I don’t have immediate plans to.)

But nonetheless, if someone asked you what machine would be the best choice for his or her first restoration project, what would you suggest? What machine is (a) relatively easy to locate in “project” condition, (b) not super expensive, (c) is relatively easy to source parts for, and (d) has a relatively simple motor/spring?

Curious to see everyone’s answers.

[Jmcmahan67]

I would say a Victrola IV. Single spring motor, not expensive, well built and easy to find parts.

[Damfino59]

I would say a Victrola IV. Single spring motor, not expensive, well built and easy to find parts.

Yes!

Any of the lidless Victrola’s are a good starting point. Then of course the lidded table models.

For those with an interest in cylinder phonographs the Edison Standard, Fireside and Amberola #30. But be prepared for stylus’s that need replacing.

I live near the Chicagoland area so we have a vast estate sale industry. There are many phonographs coming out of these sales that were once part of someone’s family heirlooms. Now some of the younger generation are not interested. So they could be a proud dusty decoration in the family room or a derelict hiding in the crawl space.

Always try to acquire the best example you can afford. Usually by the second or third day of the sale, deals can be made.

[DanP58]

I enjoy working on the Columbia cylinder machines, they’re easy to work on, easy to find project machines and parts. Columbia Q , Columbia Type B Eagle
Dan

[VanEpsFan1914]

You can start with a regular upright Victrola, too, if most of the pieces are there and you don't have to do too much for the finish. Nice sound and you get a few shelves for records.

[LimeTree99]

I've found that the best "beginner" project machines are the ones they made hundreds of thousands of. Like an Edison Standard, or Victor VV-IV. Parts will be common, and the machines are relatively cheap. This allows room for mistakes without emptying your wallet trying to fix them.

[dzavracky]

My first project machine was an Edison Standard (shoutout to VanEpsFan for getting me going on that). But I agree that the best beginner project machines are the super common one. You need to learn on something you can irreparably damage and be ok with..... that first motor disassembly will teach you a lot if you don't have someone there showing you how to do it. I still remember the sound that Brunswick spring barrel made when it flew across the garage

Cheers,

David

[Granby]

Learning the mechanical aspect of these machines is on my bucket list! I feel like I am halfway there.... I know the lingo AND I know what I am looking at. Seriously, I know the governor, the spring barrel, the turntable spindle, etc., etc. I also am pretty well versed in the different cranks [slotted, female, male] and, when looking at the motor, I can quickly spot whether it is a single, double, or triple size spring barrel. Because of these facts, I can have a pretty educated conversation with any fellow collector.

The underlying issue is common with collectors in my age group [40 and under].... TIME!

I just need to quit running around like a chicken with my head cut off and working 24/7.... LOL. One day, I will MAKE time and take one of these things apart and hopefully learn how to put it back together.

[JerryVan]

Learning the mechanical aspect of these machines is on my bucket list! I feel like I am halfway there.... I know the lingo AND I know what I am looking at. Seriously, I know the governor, the spring barrel, the turntable spindle, etc., etc. I also am pretty well versed in the different cranks [slotted, female, male] and, when looking at the motor, I can quickly spot whether it is a single, double, or triple size spring barrel. Because of these facts, I can have a pretty educated conversation with any fellow collector.

Very early on in this hobby, one of my hurdles was simply to understand the jargon related to it. Words and phrases like, "morning glory", "witch's hat", "front mount", "rear mount", "hump back", etc. ...

If you want a real experience in speaking the "language of the hobby", try antique electric fans!