Kinks for the Talking Machine
When short of fiber needles or when the jewel needle has broken, file down the tooth of a bone comb to the required point, and it will serve well. If the needle arm becomes loosened from the diaphragm, and no wax is handy, a bit of soft chewing gum makes an excellent temporary repair. Use a magnet to pick up steel needles from the receptacles on the machine, to save time and avoid punctured fingers. If the machine is too loud for the room, placing a piece of loose cotton in the tone arm, directly behind the reproducer, is more effective than muffling the sound at the horn end.—L. B. Robbins, Attleboro, Mass.