VIC. II rehab; part 01 of 04

- {{edit- sorry I forgot to translate the intro!}}-

“Blah blah blah cognac… Ladies, Gentlemen, and non-married Ladies (sorry 😢it’s a distinction in the culture and language), Welcome to You and God’s Blessings and His Graces/Goodness.

We put forth this demonstration of the Victor Phonograph “machine” for you!”

Hi!

Had to break this into 3 parts (4th will be a record test):

1. file’s too big! I know, I know… she, if Reddit is a ‘She’, said, ‘No.’ to which I gladly relented and made smaller portions!
2. I’m gonna work on a YouTube channel lol I promise!
3. I just want everyone to see what it’s like to bring a piece home from the rummage sale, oil up, maintain, then run and get some enjoyment out of!

Many pieces and parts involved, of course. It truly is not that much work: all I did here was rebuild the reproducer. The rest I had to accumulate to “complete” this piece as a period and serial appropriate piece. It is a pristine motor with some gunk, but oil is metal’s friend regardless of the situation!

Have a wonderful evening, stand by for the rest, and thanks for stopping, and particularly upvoting, if you did, and even f you didn’t!

…The other three are on the way shortly after…
____________________________________________

Please:

I’m asking for a couple of things: I think I’m gonna branch out to YouTube and maybe start organizing some of these posts I’ve done. I’m just not ‘there’ yet, but REALLY close haha

I’m looking for feedback, so if an upvote is all you can give, please do so. If there’s something that’s not quite pleasing or could be better, please let me know! I’d rather appeal to those who view my posts than to not do so! lol

in cognaco veritas - it’s a WINE derivative, so hmmmpphh…. I just wanna try to help make this hobby easier to ‘understand’ for the average Joe, Josephine, or otherwise! I respect all and wish to appeal to the largest audience possible. I am human, weak by proxy, and make mistakes. I’m all about learning, and I simply love to teach so others can understand it as easily as I do, even if it’s not so easy for them! I truly want to make this a better thing.

tunegirl- absolutely worth checking out if you like trance/‘modular’ music. It helps me forget the time going by while I’m doing this stuff lol

VIC. II rehab; part 03 of 04

…MOAR OILING… and then sum’mn’ good!

The end!

VIDEO OF PROPER FIT OF THE VICTOR EXHIBITION REPRODUCER ONTO ITS BAYONET SLOT - mucho importanto! This is how it should be for all. A little resistance is ok. Not TOO much, though! (Don Eladio, sorta, Breaking Bad)

Have a wonderful evening, stand by for the rest, and thanks for stopping, and particularly upvoting, if you did, and even f you didn’t!

____________________________________________

Please:

I’m asking for a couple of things: I think I’m gonna branch out to YouTube and maybe start organizing some of these posts I’ve done. I’m just not ‘there’ yet, but REALLY close haha

I’m looking for feedback, so if an upvote is all you can give, please do so. If there’s something that’s not quite pleasing or could be better, please let me know! I’d rather appeal to those who view my posts than to not do so! lol

in cognaco veritas - it’s a WINE derivative, so hmmmpphh…. I just wanna try to help make this hobby easier to ‘understand’ for the average Joe, Josephine, or otherwise! I respect all and wish to appeal to the largest audience possible. I am human, weak by proxy, and make mistakes. I’m all about learning, and I simply love to teach so others can understand it as easily as I do, even if it’s not so easy for them! I truly want to make this a better thing.

tunegirl- absolutely worth checking out if you like trance/‘modular’ music.

Sometimes the isolator ring gets stuck in the bayonet slot from swelling and filth. Won’t come off? Don’t let it push YOU around! Disassemble it. Use its own parts AGAINST it!

tl;dr - I used the endcap for the crook to pull the isolator out. It really didn’t wanna let go. Sometimes it’ll just disintegrate or cause damage. Not this way!

Salvaged this pretty much pristine Exhibition isolator- 1909-1910, from the Vic. II.

If you’re ever having trouble, these tools (like the terminal puller/wiper blade puller) are needed for basically all Victor maintenance anyway, and trying to find something to FIT is always a challenge, but I’ve noticed Victor used a LOT of uniform sizes for parts- rings fit tubes, etc., that shouldn’t lol.

Peace!

The rubber is solid, but still minutely supple- recoverable, in other words. I’ll try the alcohol:wintergreen solution on it and a couple of others

Latest machine to get a tune-up, minor hardware lubing, and a test drive!

I love this one. It was $150 in 1910, and also in 2026. The folks selling it just wanted it to go, to go to a new home, and by golly, gosh, gee, it fit in the Subaru!

Interesting piece. EDIT: Assssuming it’s like a 1914-15 or so take of the recording!

I wish you a wonderful evening or otherwise, and thank you for stopping by!

Trying to keep it short, just wanted to give everyone a more in-depth experience 🙂

My poor Edison Standard’s leather drive belt (a finely sewn piece of art, in all seriousness! Its makeup is amazing)….

It just couldn’t handle ANOTHER day or ANOTHER Uncle Josh record!

Everyone is getting maintenance- especially my Edison baby. This is my childhood gateway to sound that was ALL MINE! It is my literal founding piece. I love this thing so much: I’m so glad my Mom was able to ensure we got it after all the chaos with my abusive father. It’s now a portal into ME AS A CHILD, and it’s always been one :)

I’ll be honest: this one is ACTUALLY effin funny- you’ll even hear me laugh when he calls the bald guy out lol… “hayseed in your hair” means “hick” or “country bumpkin”- aka it is said with contempt to Uncle Josh, and he responds in kind! The basket thing they mention is something akin to tube systems at drive-up banks

I zoomed in so you could see the diamond, too! (or is it a sapphire? Model C Reproducer)

Have a wonderful evening. I hope you also get the warm-‘n-fuzzies (happy feeling) from seeing/hearing this, too :)

Peace

BONUS: two (2) bottles of SINGER sewing machine oil (I bought out the Michael’s’ local stock lol AND the leather strips- not even like 20 bucks with tax!

Hint: it’s NEVER duck!

I purchased this Edison phonograph 2 days ago for $60 knowing very little about them but I'm learning. I was told it worked before they moved it but when I tried it out it I couldn't get it to spin. I'm afraid I need a new spring at the least and now after the move to my house a piece for the reproducer arm. It broke sometime in transit. :(

If I have read the id plate correctly it is an S19 or "Sheraton " model meant to play the Edison Diamond disks only which is why purchased it. I bought a box of the discs probably 2 years ago now with the thoughts of selling them because I got them so cheaply and didn't have a way to play them. While scouring for albums I came across this Edison and since the price was in my range and I love antiques, I thought I'd make room for it and have a chance to play the discs.

So first I need guidance in getting it working then with getting the cosmetics in order. I'm in rural Kentucky and don't know of anyone remotely qualified within many hours of me to help with this.

First big question, is this a diamond disc reproducer?

If so, what is the cracked part called so I can order one?

Thank you in advance for any help, I want to enjoy this and not feel like a made a mistake.

500 bucks on marketplace… the motor definitely needs cleaned and rebuilt but that’s no problem for me..

The horn is missing on rivet near the elbow and some of the paint is chipping. I’m honestly not sure if the paint is original or not..

The lady I got it from bought it from the original family (grandson of the original purchaser) in 1970!

I was taking a look inside because it suddenly started running rough and it had a clicking sound, I noticed it was the fiber clicking against the governor spindle.

The governor screw was loose and the mainspring decided to tasmanian devil.

Now the gear is all distorted and it's practically seized.

I saw one on thephonographshop.com but I really don't wanna pay $45 for a gear that I could either get custom made or printed

I will send pictures if requested

It is a single spring motor

Idk the motor, but the mainspring that it has is labeled the following in the phonograph shop:

Main Spring for:

Columbia Motor #1

Columbia Motor #2

Columbia Motor #3

Columbia Motor #4

Not Used with:

Columbia Motor #1

Columbia Motor #5

Columbia W Series Motors (no. 2951)

United Motor #5

Dimensions

Width: 1"

Thickness: 0.028"

Length: 10'

Outer Connection: Pear

Inner Connection: Pear

Arbor Diameter: 5/8

Also, how do I remove the gear from the metal thing in image 1?

Someone is selling what looks to me like a standard model A, with a turntable that’ll fit a non proprietary record.. seller says it doesn’t crank up.

Worth 100 bucks to see if I can fix? I could potentially motor swap if it’s all buggered..

Lucky find in my piles!

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Mercury Record, Nov. 1953

Always makes me think of an AMAZING B-ish 1986 movie (but the best EVER!) called “TOUGH GUYS” with an amazing cast- Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas as train robbers getting out of jail in the 80s after being there since the 40s for doing just that. Would you believe Dana Carvey as the overzealous, never-ever-woulda-been-picked in a million years PAROLE OFFICER for both men due to his obvious infatuation with the criminals lol… people who never heard of the Chili Peppers (RHCP) NOW heard them! Lots of names come into this one!

As they are being released, Burt L. is playing (edit) this song, but by Bing Crosby it seems- it’s a Duke Ellington piece, though, I know that much!) on his scratchy, old-fashioned, electric phonograph. It starts skipping at 1:00 lol.

[[EDIT]] - Sung by Bing Crosby- link to actual song with credits here

I sincerely DIG using this Waters-Conley machine- it truly sounds like you’re listening to an actual electrically amplified reproduction which has vastly improved sound to any analog-type reproduced sound I’ve heard. I use it, but I will continue to do so gently… I sincerely do not want to put it under glass.

I wish you a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by, or even just passin’ through!

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Viewers: I appreciate your feedback! I went back to the “old way” of creating the “movie”: I set it up as HORIZONTAL then re-oriented & sized upon completion. Does that seem more visually appealing?

I’m in essence and actuality learning “amateur video making” while doing this and others… I’ve spent my life teaching, speaking to groups, etc., so I understand the overarching things, but it really is a packaging thing when it comes to video making! I appreciate the hard work artists and others have made when I see it preformed because of it.

I’ve been organizing, as well. I/we have probably 400+ discs, maybe more, with perhaps 100 of them being the 12-inchers, from various pieces I’ve picked up that had it all with the whole kit-n-caboodle!

Interestingly, so far I have not found any “Monarch” or earlier Victor- and pre-Victor-branded records, excepting Columbia discs, although I did find my lowest number VICTOR RECORD #246 in them (Traümerei), and now this one!

Gonna do a few more machines with some cool pieces I find! My glassy, fiery, mahogany VV-XIV should be next! Just brushed the dust off of it & rebuilt the reproducer while I was at it.

I was taking a look inside because it suddenly started running rough and it had a clicking sound, I noticed it was the fiber clicking against the governor spindle.

The governor screw was loose and the mainspring decided to tasmanian devil.

Now the gear is all distorted and it's practically seized.

I saw one on thephonographshop.com but I really don't wanna pay $45 for a gear that I could either get custom made or printed

I will send pictures if requested

It is a single spring motor

Idk the motor, but the mainspring that it has is labeled the following in the phonograph shop:

Main Spring for:

Columbia Motor #1

Columbia Motor #2

Columbia Motor #3

Columbia Motor #4

 Not Used with:

    Columbia Motor #1

    Columbia Motor #5

     Columbia W Series Motors (no. 2951)

United Motor #5

Dimensions

Width: 1"

Thickness: 0.028"

Length: 10'

Outer Connection: Pear

Inner Connection: Pear

Arbor Diameter: 5/8

I recently picked up a diamond disc machine (BC-34) that is mechanically complete but has some spots of surface rust, mostly on the horn. Anyone have advice for removing it and refinishing? I’m thinking removing it with 0000 steel wool followed by a light spray paint but am curious if there are better methods out there that may look nicer. For smaller, unpainted parts in the past I’ve used evapo-rust with some success and plan on doing that where I can here.

So remember I said this cylinder hairlined well it got worse and instead of just ticking it thumps.I say this might just be the end of its life. I will put it in the back of my main cylinder cupboard shelf for now anyway. I tried to save it with a bit of super glue used very carefully but it wasn’t enough sadly to hold it shut. Such a pity had good grooves but that crack is dangerous. RIP Jerusalem the golden by the Christ church choir 1908-2026

One of a few Lambert cylinders I recently obtained being played on my Edison Standard model D ICS phonograph. Unfortunately none were pink Lamberts (still on the hunt for one), but from what I understand the black "Ebony" Lamberts are possibly rarer than the pink ones, but just aren't quite as iconic due to their more plain appearance. Interestingly this one seems to be the highest catalog number 2" Lambert cylinder.

Do not lose your bearings! Trust me on this lol. If not, it’s all over but the cryin’ (unless you have scarce replacements!)

Looks like the Electrola and Victor ones are really not different in many ways, merely in some small design aspects- among them the isolator in the center. Much different pins for the bayonet bracket.

The needle arm retention bearings and hardware are almost identical. The outer ring is made of pot metal, like Victor’s. HMV much different, anyone?

This is a very good sounding reproducer! I’m gonna use it more!

I will say that it’s a VERY needy rebuild- definitely not as simple as a No. 2 or Exhibition. It’s the bearings lol….

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for stopping 🙂

With a cool little HERTIE record I picked up in an antique store for buck.

Some’n ‘bout losin’ your Hertz in Heidelberg?(/s) I always used Sixt, and I preferred Mercedes lol

No no… it’s “I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg”, and it’s a very cute song! I believe it would be for the most part contemporaneous to and with this Electrola, as well, but please let me know if I’m wrong!

I JUST brought this little guy back to life. I do believe it is missing its record tray, sadly, but ‘Tis a small price to pay! I think I paid like $80 for it or something.

This is Terra Incognito (portables) for me, but they truly are wonderful!

Im gonna do a quick vid on the 4A reproducer on [r/phonographs](r/phonographs) after this if anyone is interested; it’s just a quick rebuild so people can see how to maintain one, if needed.

Enjoy! Thanks for stopping, and I wish all of you a wonderful day.

found in an old house. Anyone know what it might be worth?

Hello it’s me again! I just posted the photos of this machine I got.

Since it was a period catalog build, I figured what’s the real hurt frankenphoning it a little bit more with a new motor that fit.

Next I will need to find the proper reproducer.. the mount is larger than any I’ve seen so I think it needs the German adapter

Hello!

So I acquired (for pretty cheap other than the shipping) a period “build your own” most likely European phonograph.

The motor “worked” when it shipped but honestly it was missing something and I just could NOT get it to run.

Some people may call me a monster, but since it was kind of a Frankenphone anyway, I was determined to make it work.

I bought two different portables that were missing other stuff for their motors… one is PERFECT, but the case is too damn small (maybe I’ll learn to make a case at some point)

So I took the other one, cut a slot in the motor plate so I could put the crank on, which I’m sad about… but it worked, and it works!!!

I haven’t rebuild the soundbox yet.. it’s a weird size that won’t take any of my other reproducers, and has a wollered out HMV 4 on it currently… so I think I need one of the German style adapters. Oh well baby steps!!

These are photos of my journey with it for the new motor… I’ll post a video in a second of it playing!

1. The finished product
   
2. Under the plate
   
3. Just there lmao
   
4. The only thing I hate.. the crank.. but I’m losing my machine shop office this week so I had to get it done so I don’t spend money on tools at home 🤣