The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is a short video I made while doing a Spring "tune up" showing the operation "under the hood". Don't try this at home.... .
http://youtu.be/D-aTPfeNg-I

Your Stirling phono is something I'd really to own! You'd have to plan ahead to play your records...no spur-of-the-moment playings!
Have you ever timed it to see how long it takes to build up enough steam, and how long the machine will play with a full boiler?
I can see my weekly grocery list: Milk, eggs, bread, and fuel for the gramophone!
Thanks for posting!
Bob

Well, I know it cooks great hot dogs and marshmallows in "RECORD" time. Burns down the average house in about one hour.... . As to steam or boiler......it does not run on that principal. It is a closed internal transfer of air and nothing more. No exhaust no steam and no mess. The air that is heated via a alcohol lamp, simply heats the air in the lower chamber and then via a upper (drive)piston draws the air up into the upper chamber to cool for a split second and then the air is forced down again to be re-heated. That's all it does to keep running. Pretty "COOL" eh????? .
I should also mention.....this machine will start playing within approx 15 seconds after the burner being placed under the transfer chamber. It is that fast to start provided the engines timing is set right. Also, these machines were advertised for use in large exhibitions, dance halls, etc.....They were not intended for home use. The period catalogs I have for these models show that you could "custom" your machine based on where you lived and the type of records you intended to play. Some were fitted with just a lateral arm and others (like mine) had a "duplex" arm in order to play lateral and vertical records. Paillard would also supply you with one sapphire needle.

I like the flame spreader!

You the man Jerry..... .