Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Sean Williams · 17th Oct 2014, 4:43 pm

Can anyone offer an explanation to what this is?

Found it at a collectors market today.

I just liked the cabinet and energised speaker, but it has me intrigued

Nickthedentist · 17th Oct 2014, 4:45 pm

Sean,

There was something on the forum about this very machine only a few days ago, but I can't find it at the moment!

N.

Nickthedentist · 17th Oct 2014, 4:46 pm

Here you go: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=711155

Sean Williams · 17th Oct 2014, 4:54 pm

Ah, hold that, seems I have purchased something that has been on here before!

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=711228

Sean Williams · 17th Oct 2014, 4:54 pm

Thanks Nick, it seems we posted at the same time!

Kinda scuppers the somewhat less than noble plans I had for it!

Stuart R · 17th Oct 2014, 6:10 pm

Hello Sean,

It had me very intrigued a few weeks ago. Luckily I walked to the market, so was unable to bring it home!

I think most of us here would find it difficult to return it to the use that it was originally designed for.

I got the impression from my reading that not many survive, so it would be good to ensure you aren't about to break-up the last surviving model if you have alternative plans for it(!) At least now you've rescued it, it won't be just another curio nailed to the ceiling in some trendy bar!

Regards,

SR

Sean Williams · 17th Oct 2014, 6:38 pm

I dont often go to the Market - I am on holiday this week, so had a wander around.

I planned to use it as a nice valve amplifier for my mechanical workshop - if it is "rare and desirable" then probably not such a good use for it.

I have to say, I doubt it was ever much good for it's intended purpose - the torqure required to turn the flywheel and drive shafts is quite high.

vidjoman · 17th Oct 2014, 7:08 pm

Have you checked the size of the pulleys? It might have been made for use with 8mm film.
I worked for a company who added a magnetic stripe to film. We also made a film recorder that sat below an 8 mm projector to add and playback an audio track. The film was much tougher than tape and this type of mechanism was normally driven by the film going to the take up spool. The stiffness also smoothed out the jerky motion of the film.

Sean Williams · 17th Oct 2014, 7:17 pm

No, this is an add on unit, where the soundtrack is on ordinary magnetic tape - the film being dealt with by the projector.

17th Oct 2014, 4:43 pm	#1
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Can anyone offer an explanation to what this is? Found it at a collectors market today. I just liked the cabinet and energised speaker, but it has me intrigued Attached Thumbnails __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

17th Oct 2014, 4:45 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Sean, There was something on the forum about this very machine only a few days ago, but I can't find it at the moment! N.

17th Oct 2014, 4:46 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Here you go: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=711155

17th Oct 2014, 4:54 pm	#4
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Ah, hold that, seems I have purchased something that has been on here before! https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=711228 __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

17th Oct 2014, 4:54 pm	#5
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Thanks Nick, it seems we posted at the same time! Kinda scuppers the somewhat less than noble plans I had for it! __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

17th Oct 2014, 6:10 pm	#6
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Hello Sean, It had me very intrigued a few weeks ago. Luckily I walked to the market, so was unable to bring it home! I think most of us here would find it difficult to return it to the use that it was originally designed for. I got the impression from my reading that not many survive, so it would be good to ensure you aren't about to break-up the last surviving model if you have alternative plans for it(!) At least now you've rescued it, it won't be just another curio nailed to the ceiling in some trendy bar! Regards, SR

17th Oct 2014, 6:38 pm	#7
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine I dont often go to the Market - I am on holiday this week, so had a wander around. I planned to use it as a nice valve amplifier for my mechanical workshop - if it is "rare and desirable" then probably not such a good use for it. I have to say, I doubt it was ever much good for it's intended purpose - the torqure required to turn the flywheel and drive shafts is quite high. __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

17th Oct 2014, 7:08 pm	#8
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine Have you checked the size of the pulleys? It might have been made for use with 8mm film. I worked for a company who added a magnetic stripe to film. We also made a film recorder that sat below an 8 mm projector to add and playback an audio track. The film was much tougher than tape and this type of mechanism was normally driven by the film going to the take up spool. The stiffness also smoothed out the jerky motion of the film.

17th Oct 2014, 7:17 pm	#9
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Identify this odd Ediswan tape? machine No, this is an add on unit, where the soundtrack is on ordinary magnetic tape - the film being dealt with by the projector. __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished