Posted 14 years ago
Saxymojo
(74 items)
This is a 1925 Rexonola Grand . It has a tag in the lid from the dealer that sold it new, they were Wests Music Stores in Burwood NSW. This machine had to be re finished, it was in such bad condition when I bought it. I tried to finish it in the same method and colour that was original. I have re built the reproducer and cleaned and greased the motor, it sounds and plays fantastic.
What a superb looking Rexonola :-)
(? a possible Rexonola Model No.5: http://members.optusnet.com.au/~mikechap/gallery.htm).
It's a great experience to see what these machines looked like when new, thanks to your highly skilled, appropriate restoration--brilliant...
How did you restore the timber finish?
The hardware looks immaculate and re-plated, I assume? Is it easy to find people that can do that?
The text on the paper cards in my own reproducers is usually yellow-toned to some degree--how do you recommend restoration of that?
It even looks like you've restored the plug of whatever is held by the brake lever to contact the platter's rim and stop it.
Can also see what looks like a gasket inseted between the tone arm base and timber--what's the story with that?
The only suggestion I can possibly make regards the grille cloth. In my machines the original cloth appears to be a very fine woven, light weight, silk like fabric finished in a dark crimson or reddish hue.
Thanks for posting, very much enjoyed!
Regards
MC
Thank you both for your kind words. I do believe the machine is a #5, most of the nickle work is the original finish, only a couple of pieces were re-plated, The cabinet refinish, I carefully sanded back the timber, stained it with a walnut stain, the original finish was nitro-cellulose laquer, so I used the same, the wood grain is superb. I once worked as a vehicle painter and furniture polisher, so I have had a bit of experince with paintand stains.
The tone arm base , I fitted a gasket cut from the same material used for car gaskets, this was very similar to the original, it was the best way to get a perfect seal. The sound of this machine is fantastic, I re-built the reproducer polishing all the parts whilst doing so. The grill cloth was all I was able to find at the time, it was only a temporary measure, looked better than nothing. Cheers Marcel