The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just got an Edison Recorder (c.1901 style) and am gathering parts to rebuild it. Two questions:

1. How easy should the hinge between the top and bottom/diaphragm sections move? Mine seems too stiff and won’t fall down (to be caught by the bent needle support) but I can’t get the hinge pin out to properly lubricate it. Ideas?

2. Does anyone have a source for the cutting stylus? The Conpleat Talking Machine has a pattern and sizing for the mount, and suggests a 1mm / 0.041” round glass rod for the cutter. I know there is a post here that discusses other options but it’s older. Any recent updates?

Thanks!
Mark

I don't have any experience with this machine. It does seem as if the hinge has hardened grease that is making it stiff. Try dissolving the grease with alcohol, then re-lube.

If alcohol doesn't work, mineral spirits are magical.

Either way, the beeswax holding the diaphragm in place will probably need to be redone as well, unless you're very careful not to get either anywhere but the hinge.

For a reference, I have both a 2 minute and a 4 minute recorder, and the hinges of both are limp as microwaved lettuce. Virtually no moving resistance, which means that an out-of-round blank doesn't cause my cutter to dig or skip.

Thanks! Is the pin screwed in? I can't get a tweezer on it to pull it out. Will try to soak it in mineral spirits to loosen it.

I did learn that you can take a couple of shards of broken glass, heat them on the stove until molten, and then touch them and pull apart slowly to fashion a 1mm cutter. It works!

Of course, I just broke the wire diaphragm support, so now I have to figure out how to fix that!

Mark

The wire diaphragm support can be temporarily replaced with an appropriate section of paperclip, as long as you can find one in the right wire gauge.

Of course, few things in life are more permanent than a temporary repair!

As far as the pin, I don't believe it's threaded. You'll have to gently tap it out with a punch.