Project description
I have inherited a hand-crank acoustic gramophone with an external horn, and I need a careful, methodical restoration rather than a quick cosmetic fix. The spring-driven turntable motor turns roughly but stalls under load, and I suspect the mainspring is either dry, kinked, or partially detached from its barrel arbor. I need the motor removed from the baseboard, the spring barrel opened safely (this can be dangerous if done wrong), the old hardened grease stripped, the spring inspected for cracks or set, and everything repacked with the correct viscosity spring grease before reassembly.
The horn is a detachable brass-bodied type with a worn, uneven interior finish and a dented throat where it meets the soundbox elbow. I would like it cleaned of old lacquer and tarnish, the dents carefully worked out from the inside without stretching the metal, and a fresh protective lacquer applied that matches the original satin sheen. If the horn were beyond saving I would consider a faithful reproduction, but I would prefer to keep the original.
The soundbox needs a full rebuild: new diaphragm (mica or the appropriate period material), fresh gasket, cleaned and re-seated needle bar and stylus bar linkage, and a check that the diaphragm sits perfectly flat with no buzz or rattle when a needle is fitted and the unit is run. The speed governor also needs attention — it currently surges rather than holding a steady speed, which points to worn governor weights, a sticky brake pad, or a friction disc that needs cleaning and possibly replacing, and I would like it calibrated against a strobe disc once running.
The wooden cabinet is oak with a shellac finish that has gone cloudy and has several water rings on the lid. I want the old finish assessed — revived with spirit polish if it can be saved, or carefully stripped and re-shellacked by hand if not — along with any loose veneer re-glued and the original brass hinges and latch cleaned rather than replaced. Please include a written condition report, photos at each stage, and a realistic timeline, since I understand spring work and horn dent removal cannot be rushed safely.
The horn is a detachable brass-bodied type with a worn, uneven interior finish and a dented throat where it meets the soundbox elbow. I would like it cleaned of old lacquer and tarnish, the dents carefully worked out from the inside without stretching the metal, and a fresh protective lacquer applied that matches the original satin sheen. If the horn were beyond saving I would consider a faithful reproduction, but I would prefer to keep the original.
The soundbox needs a full rebuild: new diaphragm (mica or the appropriate period material), fresh gasket, cleaned and re-seated needle bar and stylus bar linkage, and a check that the diaphragm sits perfectly flat with no buzz or rattle when a needle is fitted and the unit is run. The speed governor also needs attention — it currently surges rather than holding a steady speed, which points to worn governor weights, a sticky brake pad, or a friction disc that needs cleaning and possibly replacing, and I would like it calibrated against a strobe disc once running.
The wooden cabinet is oak with a shellac finish that has gone cloudy and has several water rings on the lid. I want the old finish assessed — revived with spirit polish if it can be saved, or carefully stripped and re-shellacked by hand if not — along with any loose veneer re-glued and the original brass hinges and latch cleaned rather than replaced. Please include a written condition report, photos at each stage, and a realistic timeline, since I understand spring work and horn dent removal cannot be rushed safely.
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