How to Restore a Criterion Music Box

Restore and repair the comb-work, cylinders, dampers, governor, main-spring and case. New combs do not exist for old boxes, so keep the old ones. Replace individual teeth instead using shaped steel. This is expensive at around $100 per tooth and can take hours. Estimate your total cost and time before you begin, and speak to a professional about creating the teeth.

Replace broken or dilapidated wood panels. Maintain a high standard of cut and finish. Decorate new panels to match other parts of the structure, but consider asking a professional carver and woodworker before attempting to apply your own designs, which might not work as well or look as neat. It is best to use quality, seamlessly fitting joints that mesh like teeth to fix the panels in place, but wood glue can be used as effectively, with caution.

Relay the inner panels and fit new pieces of material to match any original fragments. Ensure that you pick the right color, or a color that fits with the existing scheme. Old furniture tends to have faded, muted tones that blend with the wood itself rather than bright, brash colors that show up.

Repair broken or damaged hinges, slots and side panels by screwing new versions into place carefully. Avoid applying too much pressure. Make sure moving components are oiled carefully and protected with wood and metal spray protectors. Repair or replace original moldings.

Discs are rotated by the sprocket component at the rim of the bedplate. The disc then plucks star wheels on the gantry, which in turn interacts with the tooth. Hold the disc in place using the existing pressure bar. Make sure the two are in contact. Pay particular attention to the important dishing wheels, which act as guides to the disc, enabling it, under the correct amount of gentle pressure, to come into contact with the star wheels at exactly the right angle for a good “performance” and a solid, clear sound. Ensure that this whole area is oiled lightly, freed up and checked carefully if you want to be able to play music using the restored music box. Adapt the central spindle to play different-sized discs.

Have the music box tuned by a professional. Polish the surface with a gentle wax or polish that does not leave a residue and is intended for superior quality finishes and old woods. Locate the music in a safe, secure position in your room and avoid contact with bright, direct sunlight for a lengthy preservation.