Victor Auxetophone

[phono-phan]

I was fortunate enough to bring home this Victor Auxetophone from the recent Stanton auction. I was a bucket list machine for me. It is mostly complete. It is missing the second U-tube for the reproducer and the front door pull. The original motor and air pump are there but seized up. I am hoping to keep it all original. It even came with the original owner's manual. I have the correct reproducer and very large brass bell Victor horn for it. The case looks like it will clean up very nicely.

[Tinfoilphono]

Congratulations! That's an amazing find. You should contact Paul Baker to see if he would be willing to restore your blower assembly. He has done a few in the past. He also made excellent reproductions, which are infinitely less demanding in terms of maintenance, but I doubt he has any left at this point. Auxetophones are incredibly loud and impressive. I rather regret selling the one I had.

[phono-phan]

Thanks Rene.  I have been in contact with Paul.  He was at the auction also.  He gave me some good advice on the blower.  I have a machinist friend that will assist with it.  Do you still have a list of known Auxetophones?  The serial number stamped on the back underneath the lid is 697. 

[melvind]

Congratulations, Ken! That is a great find and will be spectacular when restored. What a treasure!

[RodPickett]

This is a very nice, restorable unit.

 

Here is a link to René’s (former) unit on the APS YouTube Channel

 

https://youtu.be/aQKOKDLc498

 

His former machine is alive and well in southern Indiana.

 

 

[Tinfoilphono]

2 hours ago, phono-phan said:

Do you still have a list of known Auxetophones?  The serial number stamped on the back underneath the lid is 697. 

 

I do, and I just added yours. As of now yours is the highest number I have recorded (the next highest is 689, in the Sanfilippo collection). I have 13 of this 'Louis XVI' cabinet version in my census, plus 7 of the earlier 'Queen Anne' style.

[phono-phan]

So far, the case is cleaning up very nicely.  The back bracket and tone arm as well. 

[phono-phan]

The cleaning is going pretty well so far. There is sun damage to the finish on the left side and door. The back and right side came out great with just cleaning. The back bracket, tone arm, and elbow cleaned up pretty well also. I will be working to bring back the sun faded left door and left side. The pump is sent out to be rebuilt. The motor also. I have been told that this is one of the four known Auxetophones that have the original motor and air pump. I will be doing what it takes to keep the original parts.  Here are some before and after pictures. 

[Tinfoilphono]

That's looking amazing!

 

Is Paul Baker doing the blower restoration? It's going to be a killer machine. Just bear in mind that the original blowers really do require a lot of ongoing maintenance. Perhaps not as much today as when new, since you won't be playing it for hours at a stretch, but you still need to ensure that the bearings never go dry.

 

Mine had an inner chamber constructed around the blower, lined with asbestos. I removed the flaking asbestos (carefully!) and replaced it with modern material.

[phono-phan]

Yes, Paul is rebuilding the pump.  I want to take every effort to keep the original components working.  Paul mentioned also about what the pump needs for maintenance.  Not a problem.  I am researching methods to treat the sun fade on the left side and left door.  I have received some good advice but would need to experiment before working on the Auxetophone finish issues.  No plans to strip and refinish. 

[Jerry]

Happy to see no plans to strip & refinish! When I saw this at the auction, I was hoping that whoever got it, wouldn't do that to it.

 

May I ask what procedure you have been using to clean and "wake up" the original finish? It looks fantastic.

[phono-phan]

Flitz on the nickel plating, WD40 on the back bracket, and GOJO(no pumice) on the cabinet.  I am still looking into what I can do to treat the sun faded area on the left side and left door. 

[CurtA]

WD40 is perfect for rejuvenating weathered painted surfaces...