Old Clocks and phonograms

[woodsprite]

While I am waiting the 21 days for my Hard Shellac (thanks Ubeaut) to cross-link on the chair I have polished, I have had a look at my old Ansonia kitchen clock, and Glenola cabinet gramophone. A couple of quick questions.
1. Does anyone know if old timber clocks were french polished?
2. Does anyone know of somebody who can repair one of the springs in the gramophone motor.

I know these aren't strictly 'finishing' questions (well, the dirty old clock is) but help or info would be appreciated. Still haven't found my photo card reader, so still can't post pics of the chair, the Singer machine (or the clock or the gramophone). Going to apply french polish to the gram cabinet, by the way.

Many thanks,
Jeff

[conwood]

Hi Jeff,
I have just completed and extensive restoration of a gramophone, springs and all. I removed the old shellac, which was very dark and refinished with blonde shellac (without using a rubber). You can now see the english oak veneer and it looks great, and it now sings too.

Contact me if you need any more info.

Cheers,
conwood

[woodworrier]

Beware!
Many years ago, I purchased an old phonogram. A nice rectangular piece on cabriole legs. The figuring in the veneer was delightfull, but the shellac finish had deteriorated. I set about stripping the finish. Those of you reading this who are accomplished finishers, may by now be two steps ahead in anticipation of what I was about to discover. You know about 'graining' don't you. Well, I found out, at my expense, what a skilled grainer is capable of, but not before the figuring in the veneer disappeared with the disolved shelac.

I won't bore you with the details other than to point you to this link for further enlightenment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graining

A lesson learnt is worth its weight in gold.

woodworrier