Ger, I mentioned in my previous post that The surface of the records is a phenolic resin derived from coal tar similar to Bakelite that Edison called Condensite. Phenolic resin is some of the toughest and most chemically-neutral stuff on the planet. I don't think Edison's concern was that a drop of water should ever touch the surface of a record because water is simply not going to react with a phenolic resin in any way. I think the concern really was that water would come in contact with the edges of the record since the core is highly absorbtive wood flour and clay.. I'm not advocating the use of water, merely trying to explain the reasoning for the use of alcohol and why alcohol won't hurt the chemically tough surface of the records.
The 'bearing' you oiled on the reproducer is properly called a 'hinge block'. Cylinder reproducers have them, too, in various forms. Where do you live, Ger? Perhaps there is another collector nearby who could come over and walk you througgh this a bit. > From: ge...@comcast.net > To: phono-l@oldcrank.org > Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:36:07 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Diamond Discs 15 > > I have a can of denatured alcohol. It says that it can be used as shellac > thinner. Won't that harm the top layer of the records?? > > I put some light machine oil at the back of the reproducer...didn't realize > that it had a bearing. Thanks. > > Ger > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bruce Mercer > To: Antique Phonograph List > Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2009 10:08 PM > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Diamond Discs 15 > > > NEVER use water on DD. Use denatured alcohol. Even rubbing alcohol has > water > in it.Also, make sure the reproducer is properly oiled at the rear bearing. > Bruce > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
