It's always fun when a machine I restore is from a friend or family member. This broken down record player from the early times of record players was my sister-in-law's grandfather's, purchased new in 1917 for $15 plus $4 more for records and needles.
It has sat unused for over 50 years. Someone couldn't get the handle out by reversing its direction, so they opened it up and removed a main gear instead. Then put all the parts back inside and left it.
At first glance, I thought it would be too difficult to restore - it looked half complete and not very special. But as you will see in the video, all of the parts are there. The only unuseable piece was the thick rubber gasket that attaches the playing arm to the reproducer (sound head).
Probably my biggest amazement was the availability of quality reproduction parts and supplies, such as that gasket, and needles by the hundred. Why by the hundreds? Who needs hundreds of needles? It turns out, the needles are just plain steel points that are meant to be discarded after one play (of one side of a record). Fortunately, they were about 3 cents each.
I like this model because although it was the cheapest in the Victor lineup, its sound is channeled through a cast iron passage and out the front, making it much more compact and portable.
A couple of other pleasant surprises showed up along the way that made it a pretty attractive little machine. Please enjoy watching the journey on what was one of my most satisfying restorations.
25 апр 2024
