Fixed The Wolverine

[GerardG]

It has been quite some time since I've posted anything but I thought I would now.

I've finished, well almost finished, restoring a Wolverine gramophone. To be sure I must still rebuild the reproducer, replace the platter felt and oil the motor but this thread is to only show off the cabinet.

It's not perfect but looks better than I thought possible considering the rough cosmetic shape of the cabinet.

A few before and after pics follow.

Gerard

 

[Barncats]

My friend Carl Smith had a collection of cabinet gramophones and loved to play on them the 78s that had been recorded without a chain of electronics — just the musicians grouped around and playing toward a "collecting" horn. I was stunned at how present and palpable the playing felt, so immediate and fresh.

 

[GerardG]

My friend Carl Smith had a collection of cabinet gramophones and loved to play on them the 78s that had been recorded without a chain of electronics — just the musicians grouped around and playing toward a "collecting" horn. I was stunned at how present and palpable the playing felt, so immediate and fresh.

In this overly technological world gramophones are simple and simply wonderful old machines. Well restored gramophones playing 78s in good condition do sound to many surprisingly good, loud, fresh and entertaining.

Keeping my four old beasties playing and making them look good is a labour of love that can't be measured in dollars but in joy.

Gerard

 

[gadget73]

I almost brought home a Columbia cabinet model yesterday, price was actually very good but I didn't have my truck and it wasn't fitting in the car. Not sure where I'd put it anyway, so I used all that as an excuse to not get it.

also the arm was damaged where it went into the horn. Looks like it had flopped around at some point and the section where they slip together was partly broken and the pieces were missing.

 

[GerardG]

I almost brought home a Columbia cabinet model yesterday, price was actually very good but I didn't have my truck and it wasn't fitting in the car. Not sure where I'd put it anyway, so I used all that as an excuse to not get it.

also the arm was damaged where it went into the horn. Looks like it had flopped around at some point and the section where they slip together was partly broken and the pieces were missing.

Cabinet models do take quite a bit of space. I have two table top and two cabinet models and even in a nearly 14x24 listening space I feel cramped with them plus a vintage Console set and two daily drivers plus assorted speakers, CD & tape players, and turn tables.

The subject Wolverine, semi functional when I bought it, was very reasonably priced but the springs replacement was expensive in comparison. Adding the costs for the reproducer rebuild, the restoration supplies, and my time the expenditures to get the machine in good working and cosmetic condition is easily ten fold the few dollars spent on the machine itself.

Considering all that needs doing on the Columbia your not buying it makes perfect sense.

Gerard

 

[Wolverine]

Thanks I feel much better!

 

[GerardG]

I actually laughed reading this. Thank you.

Also, know I'm not done with you yet (I mean this in the most positive sense possible).

 

[GerardG]

Cosmetic finishes on the Wolverine are done.

I've also included a pic of the cleaning and restoration products used. One particular point to mention is the use of Gojo. Kotton Klenser is often mentioned as a good choice to clean ancient finishes but the stuff is relatively expensive and I really didn't want to spend that much.

I read somewhere on the net to try Gojo but to use the non pumice Gojo Smooth. It does work nicely but more slowly than Kotton Klenser. It's inexpensive too.

Everything used on the Wolverine is orange oil based. The only item I left out of the pic is orange oil general cleaner that I used between steel wool and Gojo treatments.

Overall I'm pleased with the results.

Gerard

 

[Wolverine]

Looks great!
Congratulations!!

 

[GerardG]

Looks great!
Congratulations!!

Thank you, Wolverine. Considering how it looked and played before the old machine does look good and sounds quite good even though the rubber in the reproducer has the softness of concrete.

Gerard