Indestructables on a Pathé No. 0?

[Patheno0]

I have a Pathé No. 0 and with it I have only one Edison wax cylinder, after a while I found vulcan records in the UK and I bought a couple of reproductions ''of what they call indestructables'' I think it's cellulloid.
When I play these indestructables on my machine, it starts to wobble a bit (which it doesn't do with the wax one). My question is, can my Pathé no. 0 play these cellulloid cylinders? or will it damage my machine?

[jamiegramo]

I don’t think it’s celluloid, it’s a hard-wearing plastic that i’ve always assumed was resin. Are you playing regular 2 minute cylinders? The cylinders should not damage your machine. Are they pushed onto the mandrel firmly?

[OrthoFan]

I don’t think it’s celluloid, it’s a hard-wearing plastic that i’ve always assumed was resin. Are you playing regular 2 minute cylinders? The cylinders should not damage your machine. Are they pushed onto the mandrel firmly?

The Indestructible Records were celluloid-based, sometimes referred to as plastic celluloid.

See:
https://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/hist ... ctible.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indestruc ... rd_Company
http://www.centuryoldsounds.com/Indestructible.html

[CarlosV]

When I play these indestructables on my machine, it starts to wobble a bit (which it doesn't do with the wax one). My question is, can my Pathé no. 0 play these cellulloid cylinders? or will it damage my machine?

The shape of indestructibles is held by metal rings on each end, so if you push them enough to allow the rings to press against the mandrel, it should play without wobble. If the wobble still persists, it may be that the metal ring of the cylinder is warped. Otherwise it should play on the Pathé without problems.

[Wagnerian]

I rather think Patheno0 is talking about the modern indestructible records made by Vulcan in the UK rather than the Indestructible Records of Albany. In which case, yes they are made of a resin-type material and they should fit snugly onto the mandrel of your machine without wobbling. You can always e-mail Vulcan at: [email protected] for more information.

All the best

Tim W-W

[jamiegramo]

Yes we were referring to the cylinders made by Vulcan.

[Patheno0]

thanks for the answers, yes they are 2 minute cylinders from vulcan records, I ordered there since I couldn't find a 2 minute cylinder anywhere, only 4 minute amberols.
So it's no problem to play them? I haven't played them since I noticed the wobble.

[CarlosV]

thanks for the answers, yes they are 2 minute cylinders from vulcan records, I ordered there since I couldn't find a 2 minute cylinder anywhere, only 4 minute amberols.
So it's no problem to play them? I haven't played them since I noticed the wobble.

Sorry, I misunderstood the reference to indestructible cylinders. I have couple of these modern Vulcan cylinders, they are generally well-made, but in your case it may be a flaw in the manufacture of your particular cylinder. If you have others, you could put them but-to-butt and try to make a visual comparison of the shapes.

[recordmaker]

Assuming the cylinders fit ok on the mandrel and the "wobble" described is in the reproduced sound then this is possibly due to fairly under powered motor of the little machine and the increased drag of a plastic record ( celluloid or modern ).
Also a wax cylinder is somewhat self lubricating and also more accommodating to oversize or worn styli.
A light surface treatment with wax polish on the new may well help and should do no harm.

[Patheno0]

wax polish on the indestructable cylinder? It fits well on the mandrel.
also the sound doesnt wobble the machine does.
Also one of the vulcan records plays really slow and wobbly, it was advertised as a 2 minute cylinder but I'm not sure