The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was taking the needle bar out of a British made Vivatonal soundbox (actually an HMV with a different logo) and I've lost some of the ball bearings. I have 6 out of 10 of the small ones, plus the two large pivot balls. Anyone know if these are the same as Orthophonic bearings?

I did that once with an off-brand of aluminum-diaphragm soundbox; lost three ball bearings, found one with a magnet, but the other two are still lost. I got lucky with the tiny ball bearings that are used in computer processor fans; they were the same size by the micrometer. I stuck those in and they worked as a perfect replacement.

I found a dealer with a complete needle bar with bearings. It costs more than just getting a few bearings but it's still cheap (under$10.00), and it will be much easier to install. How ever, if I have to do much more I'll definitely cross the line where the cost of new parts is greater than the value of the machine.