1920s Cradle Mic Antique Brass Sleeve

[paulc1Participant @paulc1]

Hi everyone,

I have purchased an Ellis Carbon Button Microphone from the 1920’s. It was supplied without a stand or base but it does have a short brass sleeve (17mm), with a diameter of 14.3mm. On this sleeve there is no thread at all and the cables run through the centre. What I need is an brass sleeve made up with a 5/8” thread on one end and the other end would need to fit the 14.3mm sleeve with a grub screw to hold it in place. Please see the attached drawing. On Amazon there is a listing for antique brass piping to cover radiator sleeves and this may be a good starting point.

Thanks,

Paul from South London, UK

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The OD of your sleeve will need to be about 18mm as the 5/8″thread is just under 16mm major diameter. Those pipe sleeves are usually intended to slip over 15mm OD pipe so will also be larger and the bore will not go down to 14.3mm.

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Paul, as Jason says there’re inconsistencies in your dimensioning – aesthetically the part would probably benefit from having a step on it – have a think about the relative sizes and what shape you might want that transition / the finished part to look like.

From a ‘normal’ engineering perspective, this adaptor would normally be made from a plain cylinder of brass bar say 3/4″ (19.05mm) or so in diameter which would be within the run of normal ‘stock’ held by most people with the resources to make it in any case.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Are you looking for someone to make this for you?

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

unfortunately with those measurements you wouild have nothing left and it would not be metric

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It would be tempting to get a 5/8″ to 5/8″ adaptor and just make an insert. Probably bore out the thread from one end and Loctite in a simple bush. This would keep the cost down and simplify the making a lot.

If you do want it making then best to let the person have the two parts as the spigot on the mic is likely to be 9/16″ and if anything like camera mounts then the standard 5/8 thread is likely to be fairly slack

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Is this any help, stylistically ?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carbon_microphone,_c._1920s,_Ellis_Electrical_Laboratories_-_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry_(Chicago)_-_DSC06626.JPG

MichaelG.

[paulc1Participant @paulc1]

Hi everyone,

This has been a great response. Yes, I would need someone to make this for me. I do realise the outer diameter would be a bit larger (around 18mm). As a start off point I have ordered one of the antique brass pipe cover sleeves from ebay. I will try the mic adaptor with loctite (I was thinking the same thing as a cheap alternative). As for the other end maybe a rubber grommet would do the trick to get it down to 14.3mm.

Please let me know of any ideas and costings in the meantime as I don’t like the finish being too brushed and shiny and not fitting with the mic age and would prefer the 5/8” or 3/8” mic stand thread tapped properly.

The photo that Michael G. posted is a very similar mic to the one I have and looks about right with the stem but a grub screw would be better to hold it tight rather than a thumb screw.

The Atlas Sound LO-2B Adaptor looks as if it may work for what I need, I’m just trying to find one reasonably priced to test.

I am willing to pay for the time and effort on this project.

Thanks,

Paul

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

If and when you get your piece and its too bright and garish just put a few drops of ammonia in a jar and hang the item in the jar and close nthe lid. the gasses given off by the ammonia will give an antique finish to the brass, more time more antiqued

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