Restoring a rare Tonofox gramophone soundbox / reproducer!
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2023
- Bringing a very broken and quite rare Tonofox soundbox /reproducer back to working order, including a sound test on my HMV 162 at the end
This is a very extensive re-edit of a previous project with a little extra material. I've been wanted to redo this video for a while as I am sure many of my current viewers will not have seen the original 2 videos and this version is much improved! Let me know in the comments what you think
#gramophone
#hmv
#victrola
#phonograph
#78rpm
#78rpmshellac 
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Greetings from New Zealand. Thanks for another great video, and it certainly makes me want to try to restore some of the extra soundboxes I have sitting around the place.
Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it. I have quite a few more to look at too. Have you seen this one? ruclips.net/video/IkCCI8Vvisk/видео.html
Congratulations again. I'm always learning about these sounding boards.
Thanks 👍 😀
Volume control on an acoustic machine! Neat!!
Yes, one of several designs. Obviously, it didn't catch on, though. I think people were looking for more volume, not less. Have you seen:
ruclips.net/user/shortskxQ7JSNXoPg?feature=share
Thanks 😀 👍
@@mrrgstuffI agree-and today, it’d be nice if there was less volume to the high-frequency ’background hiss’. With my machines, closing the lids when playing reduces the level of that background noise.
Very well done even without the extra touch-up! Nice to see the 163 is working again as well!
Thanks 😀 👍. It's a different gramophone 😳. I have two 162s, this one lives in my workshop and is working. The one in the house unfortunately still has a spring problem, but fixing it will make a good video sometime! 😅 Despite being the same model, they differ in many ways. I made a comparison video here: ruclips.net/video/18WXd65E7ow/видео.html
@@mrrgstuff Ah, yes, I remember that one. I believe I watched that one before I even started commenting on your videos. It is interesting how there were legitimate Indian-made HMV gramophones which only adds to the confusion on the internet which is full of Indian-made fakes. It's a bit like how a lot of tech support scam call centers are located in India but there are also legitimate Indian cubicle workers and call centers.
India, I believe, has a rich and long history in gramophone manufacture, though back when HMV were active there, the metal components were largely brought in, and it was more the woodwork that was done there. It wasn't just HMV, though, and I have seen on RUclips what I believe is an actual vintage horn gramophone from India which has a very similar back bracket to the modern fakes. Whether the other parts of the machine were imported or not I don't know, however I am sure that soundboxes (Thorens clones I talk about here: ruclips.net/video/C9FyvIl6VD4/видео.html) and Thorens and Garrard style motors (ruclips.net/video/qo6Vxul8-iw/видео.html) are still being made there which I find fascinating. Thanks 😀 👍
What an interesting soundbox! I must say I've been inspired by your videos, I found an Alba Improved De Luxe soundbox at my local antique fair and decided to take up restoration!
Thanks 😀 👍. I have to admit I am always on the lookout for soundboxes, even though I have more than I can use. There are just so many different ones. Good luck with the restoration. Would be interested to see any videos you do 👍
Wouldn't be many of those left in working condition. Cool thing.
Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, there are a few pictures of them online, and I know of another one in the wild which unfortunately I wasn't able to buy, but they certainly can't be that common 😅
Excellent 👍👌
Thanks 😀 👍. You might like this video too: ruclips.net/video/IkCCI8Vvisk/видео.htmlsi=o4bHXFeJgYBUMNle
Nice Restoration, I have no idea that some reproducers where rare
Thanks 😀 👍. There were many different models made, and some like the Victor/HMV and Columbia ones are quite common. Many others were unbranded and clearly inspired by the bigger brands. The Tonofox is unusual as it is branded and has a volume control. I don't think it is valuable, even in good condition. I was lucky enough to buy a whole box of soundboxes which I showed in this video: ruclips.net/video/DIDnea5CJSs/видео.html
Love the restoration, especially your custom-turned needle retaining screw! The HMV and the Winner 78 sound lovely to me :-) The knurled aluminum body is superficially similar to Thorens units-but there are significant differences in the other parts. What are the pros & cons of the diaphragms you’ve created versus original mica parts?
@Michael.Chapman I don't think the 3D printed diaphragm is really ridged enough. I have done some test videos. Some plastics are good, especially the polystyrene from a CD jewel case:
ruclips.net/video/XqAlJVpN3ZM/видео.html
Metal is a mixed bag:
ruclips.net/video/aMrX8tn-tYI/видео.html
But aluminium with corrugations works well:
ruclips.net/video/mK1bGhanqf4/видео.html
I also tried a mica diaphragm in this soundbox for comparison:
ruclips.net/video/GwkSmJzJ_bU/видео.html
I plan to upgrade the Tonofox, too, as I think it should sound better.
Thanks 👍 😀
Excellent. Greeting from Arizona. Could you use exhibition tube gaskets? Or was the size incorrect. on occasion, I have used polycarbonate for a diaphragm. Cuts easily with scissors and seems to work very well.
Thank you for the very nice videos.
Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoy the videos. Yes, tube for Exhibition gaskets looks like it would be suitable and I do have a length. However, I used the black neoprene as it is much cheaper, and I really wasn't sure the final result would work. I have looked at various different materials in this video:
ruclips.net/video/ZuQOBKGPLus/видео.html
Thanks for the info on polycarbonate too. I have tried some different plastics in this video: ruclips.net/video/XqAlJVpN3ZM/видео.html
That seemed to work fine to me. 3D printing to the rescue 😊😊
Yes indeed. Almost always find some use for 3D printing in all projects nowadays! 😅. Thanks 😀 👍
Love your videos! I’m working on an old Columbia Grafonola Phonograph that has a Fletcher phonograph reproducer but is missing the thumb screw and needle. Do you know how I would go about firguring out what thumb screw to buy or where to buy one?
Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoy the channel 😀. I'm not familiar with this reproducer, though I did a bit of searching and found what might be the patent document, though unfortunately it doesn't seem to contain the detail you require:
www.freepatentsonline.com/1446006.html
As it's an American reproducer, it's likely to have some small screw fitting like a UNC No.1 or maybe a UNF No.0, No.1 or No.2. These are still available today, and one option is to buy some ordinary screws in the various sizes and see what fits. Once you know the thread size, it will be relatively easy to buy a thumbscrew in that size (or if you know someone with a lathe, to have one made up)
Another option may be to ask on:
forum.talkingmachine.info/viewforum.php?f=1
Which is where I found the link for the patent. Hope that helps 😀
I had forgotten about that one
I thought it was worth re-editing as the videos weren't as good as I would have made them today! 😅. Thanks 😀 👍
Can you just cut out a circular piece of mica from a larger mica disc in order to replace the damaged mica? Is there anything "special" about the sound disk that were used in these? I noticed they sell sheets of mica pretty cheap on amazon.
Yes, the diaphragm is just ordinary mica, and as long as the thickness is about right, it should be possible to cut one from a sheet as you say. I did buy a precut one for a No.4 before I realised mica was still easily obtainable. I do have some clear plastic (not a CD case), I would like to try in this first, but it does deserve a new mica diaphragm in the end. Thanks 😀 👍
7:15 Are those holes and the corresponding holes on the other disc with lever attached, a kind of primative mechanical volume control?
It seems to me that as you move the lever you are covering or uncovering more or less of the holes. which will let more or less of the pressure waves pass from the diaphragm to the horn acting as a kind of volume control.
Yes indeed. From what I can see, and I also believe I have seen it documented somewhere in relation to the Tonofox, this is an attempt to give a direct volume control on the soundbox. I guess the shape of the holes were somehow related to frequency, but I doubt there was any real scientific experimentation behind the design. Thanks 😀 👍
Where did you get the sheet rubber to cut out for the back?
It's just thin craft foam. Comes in lots of different colours and thicknesses. Your local craft supply shop will probably stock it. Thanks 😀 👍
@@mrrgstuff Does it work as well as rubber in your opinion?
Yes, I think so. It's very similar to the cylindrical foam strip I used for the diaphragm gaskets, which I believe is generally recognised as an excellent substitute for latex tubing. You might find this video interesting:
ruclips.net/video/ZuQOBKGPLus/видео.html
Thanks 😀 👍
I must admit, you do find some interesting soundboxes? I wonder how it would fair on a German phonograph? If you had one?
Thanks 😀 👍. There are so many different models of soundboxes, I do rather like collecting and tinkering with them. I don't think I have a German machine 🤔. Maybe the closest I have is that Apollo horn machine made with Swiss parts I know you have seen in some previous videos 😀
ruclips.net/video/KHZgcJl8M98/видео.html
@@mrrgstuff yes, i have seen that one. - Paul
@Nipper's Lounge Yes, thanks very much for the comments on the other videos too! 😀👍
@@mrrgstuff you’re welcome