My Edison Home B cylinder phonograph restoration
 

Just finnished refinnishing main case on this machine I picked up as a parts machine about 8 years ago.
I'll be putting a cygnet horn on it.
Here are pictures as it stands now......
Let me know what you think......

;D Here are some pictures of machine the way it sits today. I finished re finishing the main case yesterday. New decal.
This was a junker parts machine when I got it about 8 years ago. Most people wouldn't have even saved it. I don't regret that I did.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...nBHome0001.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e-19730003.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...nBHome0002.jpg

Well, how does it look so far???
Is the decal in the right spot??????
Bill Cahill

Here is a picture of my Fireside I'm working on. I posted this in another forum.

:) Well, after going to the Orlando Antique Phonograph Show today, I new have a rough original horn, a repro. crane, and, a K reproducer with a bad 4 min. needle. Pot metal was swollen, but, I was able to carefully shave it down, and, it fits the carriage, again.
Here is a picture of the machine as it sits now.... ;D
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...noshow0037.jpg
Bill Cahill
Oh. I also picked up a Standard horn for my B standard, but, no crane yet.... :)

:D Bill Cahill

And, here's my completed Standard from an earlier posting in other forums.

I have a original crane, and, now, my standard horn on my Standard. Here are some pictures of it playing one of my favorite 2 min. cylinders, "The armorer's song".

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...finnished3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...finnished1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...finnished2.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...finnished4.jpg

How's it look?
Bill Cahill

I have a number of favorite BA cylinders, but, one such favorite is "The lady behind the gun". It's a lively instrumental, and, I love it.
A good book to get for correct information is the Edison Phonograph book by George L Frow. It covers history of all models of the Edison line.
Bill Cahill

Here is an earlier picture of the machine. The only early one I have of it.
This was after replacing many of the parts.
Still original bed plate, and, I wasn't happy with it.
I decided to get a better one, which I did.
At that time, I was having alot of bugs to repair in it. Please notice the conversion kit, and, the lever for changing the two speeds.
This would have been about 7 years ago....
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...nBHome0010.jpg
Bill Cahill

Well, my reproduction nickel plated elbow that goes on the reproducer arrived today, but, not the horn neck, yet.
Hope that arrives soon.....
I'm getting anxious to hear my cygnet horn play..... :)
Bill Cahill

And, as prommissed, here are pictures of my Edison Home Now with a Cygnet horn.
I had to get a different reproduction crane because the one I had wouldn't work with the horn.
I also had bad luck with repro elbow being too short, so, I bought an original.
Enjoy.....
Bill Cahill

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0003.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0007.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0004.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0008.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0006.jpg

I'm waiting for a better condition bed plate to come for it now. It has almost all the pin striping, compared to 80 percent on this one.
I've carefully selected the best condition original motor parts for it, and, motor has very little gear noise. It's in great shape.
This is one of my big favoritees along with my model B Standard, and, my Oak Amberola three.
Bill Cahill

In fact, this is one of the reasons I'm taking so long on my tv restorations. I'm catching up on projects like this.

And, now, except for re-painting rusty neck on the horn, the machine is finally finnished. I have put the best bed plate on I can find, and, an original Edison elbow.
The machine plays, and, looks great. See pictures below. They'r mixed up, but, you will be able to tell the finnished produt by the display room it's now in.
Enjoy....
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0017.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0013.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0016.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0009.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0006.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0008.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sHomeB0008.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0005.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thomeB0004.jpg
Bill Cahill

Well, I just did a tone, volume, and, speed test on 4 of my favorite 4 min. cylinders. My comparison machine was the Amberola 3. Here are the un proffessional, though realistic results.....

Amberola 3
Speed 160 rpm
Volume Loud, clear.
Tone Somewhat sharp treble, deep bass.
Reproducer Rebuilt Diamond A.
Horn INside metal horn

Home
Speed 160 rpm
Volume Loud, clear. Not quite as loud, but, close second.
Tone Nice Treble, fairly deep bass.
Repeoducer Rebuilt H.
Horn No. 10 Cgnet with a rubber connector going to an original 45 degree elbow connecting to reproducer.

Conclusion, While not surprisingly, the Amberola 3 does play slightly better, the Home is very well holding its' own. The sound is fantastic, and, I am very pleased with the sound produced with the cygnet horn.
I can easily see why both the past, and, present populrity of the cynet horn.
I am very pleased with this machine!
I am a very happy camper!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Bill Cahill

Here are some better pictures of some of my machines in display room. First, the home. Then, my Amberola 3, and, Wm and, Mary DD, and, then, my Not yet finnished model A Fireside.
Bill Cahill

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...phonos0001.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...phonos0005.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...phonos0003.jpg

Were they originally that shiny, or did they have a more "satin" finish ? Every one I've ever seen the finish has been pretty well "Shazbat", so its kinda hard to tell...In any case, GREAT job ! These things, if given any kind of care, will be working happily 125 years from now, easily...Most of our other precious toys-at least the newest ones, more than likely WON'T...Kind of a paradox there, I think...

I'm envious. I've thought about getting one of these in the past, but they're always really expensive on eBay. I can never find time to go to the local flea/antique/radio markets or events.

The cylinders on the other hand are pretty reasonably priced.

Those are a nice piece of history.

John

I have had some machines with mint original finnishes, and, report that when new the finnish was glossy.
In fact, the bedplate has aged some, and, isn't as glossy as when new, and, that's original.
Bill Cahill

Thanks for the compliments. I try hard to do as good a job as I can, trying to stay faithful to original finnish. I also made it dark, as, the original color was antique oak.
Does your state have a yearly antique phonograph show?
I think there's one coming up in NJ soon.
We have ours near the end of every January. Ours is in Orlando.
I've gotten some of my best deals there.
You have to know what you want, what you have to spend, and, what the value is of what you are thinking of purchasing.
I can answer individual questions if asked about a certain machine. Pictures are usually helpful, and, if on internet, links.
Always willing to help.
Bill Cahill :thmbsp::yes:

Good Googly Moogly! What a fine collection of machines you have there, Bill. Nice restorations too! :yes::tresbon:

One of my favorite "Pawn Stars" episodes includes a guy trying to sell his Edison machine. Of course, the "primer" info they give pales in comparison to this thread.

My Dad collects Victrolas - everytime someone comments about them being "the original record players" I correct them and mention the Edison cylinder machines. And of course, Dad doesn't have one. He passed up a FREE one several years ago and now realizes his mistake.

Please continue to share - I'm in envy!

Cheers,

:yes: Thanks. You've cheered up my day.... :yes::thmbsp:
I will post more as time allows.
Bill Cahill

Looks great Bill! Very nice work.:yes:

I have a "Polk-Phone" which was made by James K.Polk Co. in Atlanta. It has an ID plate on it, but no model #. It plays "flat" records rather than cylinders, I'd estimate it circa WW1. The guy me & Bethany bought it from at a festival said it was a "Child's model", which explains its modest size for a floorstanding unit. Sounds & works pretty good for what it is, the finish is that rather ugly mottledly brown-black "Used motor oil" look that for some unknown reason, was The Shiznitz back then. Its in excellent shape, finish wise, just STILL Butt-ugly, otherwise I'd had it refinished by now.

There were a number of makes of child grammophones made then. Usually missing parts.
If you got a complete, original one, you are indeed lucky.
They are a collector's item, and, collectors like them for their small size.
You are right. They are a child's machine.
They usually were painted, sometimes with paintings, or, decals of mother goose charactors, or, whatever.
Never had one.
Bill Cahill

Seems like I paid about $300 for it, but Miss Priss was doin' Cartwheels for me to get it, & I never was able to say "No" to that young 'un...And she sure got a lot of pleasure out of foolin' w/it...If somebody came by the house, & she was here, she's show it off, & play a record for 'em...Me, I'd be standin' back, w/a big, silly-arse grin, beaming w/pride...

Why don't you make a thread on it, with pictures? I'd love to see it, and, I bet others would, as well....
Bill Cahill

wow
 

I love the look of early phonographs and gramophones...this thread has made me decide to sort out my very basic 1920s HMV gramophone ... it needs a new reproducer ..must get that sorted first!

Bill you have some very nice machines. Is edisons all you collect? I have two victors a Victor E and a victor 2 humpback.

No, but, I'm afraid my income is very limited.
I'd love to again have a Victor 3 with a black metal horn, but, too pricey for me.
Wish I could trade for one.

I have a cheap Brunswick table model, a couple of Victor orthophonics, both needing work, and, a batch of Edison DD machines.
I'm looking for other stuff. It's just too pricey for my budget....
I'm so mad at myself. Before I realized what I had, I oned bought a victor V with a brass belled horn for 75.00, as a teen ager.
I traded it for a junk tv.
Yikes!
I'd rather have the Victor!!!!
Bill Cahill

I need a record cabinet for my vic 2, know of one for sale?

Nope. Hard to come by, and, expensive.
Bill Cahill

Wow those ae goregous Billy,you have alot of talent!!!

I trust you still have them.......... Wow some people are amazing http://www.videokarma.org/images/icons/icon7.gif