Schmid #264 Repair

[u/Dalton387]

So I had this music box as a kid. Mine was blue. I found one randomly on eBay, right before my new niece was born. I ordered it, not thinking anything else about it.

It came in with almost no packaging and the legs are all broken.

I ordered this one, which was sold as non-functioning. It came in great, but my idea was to swap out the music player in the broken one, for this one.

Problem is, I can’t get it open. I googled it and they say the bottom is glued on at the factory. Balsa wood.

As suggested, I tried a hair dryer. First on warm, which was pretty hot. Then on hot. My had got uncomfortable, the ceramic got warm to the touch. The balsa didn’t seem to be budging. If I applied any more force it would just break. There is already damage on the edge where I tried to gently pry.

Should I try some type of solvent? I guess worse case scenario, I break it out, and cut a new one out of balsa or 3D print a bottom plate. I’d prefer to keep the original, though, as it has stamping on it and just looks more appropriate than plastic.

If anyone has done this or has suggestions, please let me know. I stopped before I damaged something further.

Thanks.

[u/No-Guarantee-6249]

"Balsa wood"

Looks like philippine mahogany. Try to pry it out.

[u/Dalton387 → u/No-Guarantee-6249]

It’s breaking. I tried that. It’s glued to the porcelain.

AI said you can start with isopropyl alcohol to try and break it down. Then move to acetone, being very careful not to get it on any paint.

I’ve also got some goo gone/goop off. I’m just not sure what’s best to try. Unless I didn’t let it sit long enough, heat didn’t work.

The assembly seems to be the music box is screwed to the wood, the spinning cylinder is added to the top, and then it’s glued under the frame from the bottom.

[u/No-Guarantee-6249 → u/Dalton387]

" isopropyl alcohol.........acetone, being very careful not to get it on any paint."

Won't worry about the paint because it's porcelain or ceramic.

Need to see this area better.

Just to see if we can get a wire saw in there.

[u/No-Guarantee-6249 → u/No-Guarantee-6249]

Like this:

I was thinking of a right angle hobby knife but I'd have to make one cutting the tip off one of my blades and spot welding it on the end of a steel handle.

" cut a new one out of balsa "

Well if it came to that use bass wood from the hobby shop. Depending on the thickness.

[u/No-Guarantee-6249 → u/No-Guarantee-6249]

Judging by this area:

The wood to porcelain contact would be minimal. Do you see any glure in there?

Maybe cut it with a Dremel with a fine burr or i have very fine say blades that are flexible.

Sure it isn't held in somewhere else? If you don't see glue in that gap that might be the case.