turntable that plugs into light socket?

[syzygywon]

Roommates bf has this turntable he got on a job, (long story) and he has no clue what it is. I'm in the same boat. I looked everywhere for a name, but couldn't find any.
It plugs into a light fixture for power and I didn't see any tubes inside when I opened it up, so I have posted some pictures and hoping that someone here has seen something like this unit before.

 

[fotno]

Good lord, that thing is the original steampunk turntable! I have no idea who made it, but I'd love to have one just like it. Very cool.

 

[syzygywon]

steampunk turntable? what the he%* is that??

 

[vinyldavid]

That is wild. If I found one of those locally it would be sitting in my listening room awaiting restoration.

Steampunk is a style of art that's...well....just google it.

 

[Sam Cogley]

In the very old days, most houses that were wired for electricity didn't have power sockets, just light sockets. It's not all that uncommon to find really old appliances with light-bulb plugs, though many of them were converted to standard electrical plugs as the years went by.

 

[syzygywon]

I did google it, but I couldn't get a definition... just some people who had tried making one. I can't wait to tell the guy what it is! I'm just going to look confused at him and tell him I have noooo idea!

 

[syzygywon]

You guys rock! I have been googling for the last hour trying to figure it out before I gave up and turned to all of you.
I LOVE this site!!

 

[syzygywon]

So do you think it is safe to plug it in and se if it works?

 

[fotno]

steampunk turntable? what the he%* is that??

Steampunk is a style/philosophy of art used to modify everyday objects such as computers, automobiles, clothing etc., to make them appear to have been built during the age of steam power.

Some examples:

Do you see why I called that turntable "Steampunk?"

 

[thedelihaus]

So do you think it is safe to plug it in and se if it works?

Are you a gambling man?

Will up to date?

Fire extinguisher close by?

 

[spartanmanor]

Looks very early for sure. Looks like an electrified turntable table I don't see any electrified amplification though.

 

[mech986]

Steampunk is a style/philosophy of art used to modify everyday objects such as computers, automobiles, clothing etc., to make them appear to have been built during the age of steam power.

Some examples:

Do you see why I called that turntable "Steampunk?"

Hey Fotno,

That stuff reminds me of all the props used on the original "Wild Wild West" show, and may the later show "Legend".

 

[Redboy]

Don't plug it in!

That thing is wicked cool...

 

[fotno]

Hey Fotno,

That stuff reminds me of all the props used on the original "Wild Wild West" show, and may the later show "Legend".

Exactly. Matter of fact, I'd be willing to wager that Wild, Wild West was the very first Steampunk television show.

 

[mech986]

Exactly. Matter of fact, I'd be willing to wager that Wild, Wild West was the very first Steampunk television show.

Not to derail the thread, cause I have no idea what the turntable above really is (looks like a turntable that is missing the horn transducers and fittings, doubt there was an electrically connected "stylus" or cartridge), but here's a few other views of what steampunk may look like in various forms ( I really like the computer type, the guy is the prototype Borg):

 

[slate1]

I'm no expert on vintage electronics, but surely that yellow capacitor in the 4th image isn't vintage... got to wonder what this has been used for. Can you be more specific as to where this came from?

 

[michaelhigh]

My 16-year-old son turned me on to the whole steampunk thing. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw that TT. Second thing I thought was that it could be a potter's wheel or some such...

 

[Sticklyman]

Fotno, was that a pedal powered Segway?

I would say that you could plug it in, but know this. There is a chance that anything on the turntable could electrocute you, that it could light on fire, that it could light your house on fire. If you're going to test it, try to find a totally isolated circuit with nothing valuable or flammable nearby, have at least one fire extinguisher handy, and phone to call the fire department. Nothing good comes of lighting your house on fire by taking foolish risks with audio gear. Stereorob tried that, and look where it's gotten him.

 

[fotno]

Just noticed in the fourth photo, that there's a plaque riveted to the cast frame. I would imagine that there should be some interesting information contained there. It's probably only information about the motor, but it's a place to start.

 

[mfrench]

you might find out some info about the pickup head, here: http://www.normanfield.com/pickups.htm
I have an early phonograph, hand-cranked tt motor, but, with a Harlie magnetic electronic pickup arm that is intended to be amplified. Its a big steel needle, and really heavy head 78 pickup (mine is shown in section 6, and talked about in section 5 of the link).
At any rate,... cool old toy you have there.
I don't think I'd plug it in without a complete going over first. Only then, w/ great in-trepidation, would I plug it in.
According to the site that I linked to, above,... these old arms will be record killers, and probably shouldn't be used, as any rubber suspension or springs will likely be worn, and the magnetics having dissipated to an unknown degree as well.
So mine will likely just be a conversation piece, and maybe used on old trasher 78's that are destined to the dumper.