Hello John, I believe you are totally correct, originally the sides of the record were coated to protect them from moisture absorption. Even the Blue Amberol must be shown the same consideration with regards to protecting it core. Those BA records that were properly stored in a dry environment slip all the way on the mandrel and some I have go so far there is 1/4 inch of mandrel showing.
Denatured alcohol would ruin other records, yet it was a cleaner for the 'superior' Edison records. The steel needle vs the diamond, lateral vs vertical, all these things served to underscore the 'Edison superiority'. According to EDAR until in early 1921 the core was changed to China clay from wood flour. Long term or uncontrolled exposure of the core to moisture is what produces the damage. 5 minutes of surface cleaning especially when using the Disc doctors applicator and avoiding getting moisture to the core does much more good than harm. Under the M6B record label type EDAR states that the above. Too bad this book is out of print. Edison records get the sound from the bottom and are best graded in sunlight or a bright light. In bright light the record that appears shiny in normal light will show the dirt, grime and mold of the last 80 years. A proper cleaning removes damaging grit. The only concern I have with using alcohol to clean the records is removal of the crud. When the records were new the alcohol was an effective way of cleaning, now after 80 years of accumulation I wonder if and how the alcohol removes the crud and what procedure should be used. With the Disc Doctor's method his cleaner loosens the crud and distilled water is used to remove it. Please note aside from the facts above that came from EDAR all is my opinion and was stated for the purpose of my learning. Best regards, Steve > 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: [email protected] > > To: [email protected] > > 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 _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
