The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone! We recently moved to Bloomfield Hills from Saginaw, it's really nice! Luckily, my J1-95 and Edison Gem didn't SEEM to get damaged in shipping, everything works fine.

BUT, if I ever were to move again/pick up something from a long distance what's a good way of packing? We (my dad ) used cardboard box with bubble wrap and newspaper.

If moving from Bloomfield Hills you clearly would have your butler do it, and send it by courier in the care of two loyal footmen and a watchful guard..

Jokes aside, you want all moving parts tied down to prevent movements (block tonearm swing on disc machines and stop the sliding carriage on a cylinder phonograph). Remove the reproducer, wrap carefully, and store. Remove cranks or winding keys.

I take the turntables out of disc phonographs, wrap carefully with plastic wrap to prevent oil stains, wrap in newspaper, store in case.

Remove horns and horn rear mount brackets or crane.

For many cylinder machines it's a good idea to pack the cavity round the motor with bubble wrap and, if mailing, remove the motor and pack separately.

These machines aren't being handed down from the back of the Railway Express Agency's horse drawn van or Ford depot hack, they're being put at mercy of the underpaid and overworked -- wise of you to pack accordingly!