Weak Mainspring?

[hearsedriver]

One of our members sold me a beautiful Columbia Q yesterday. I am really happy with it. I took it apart today and cleaned and lubed everything, including the mainspring and, although it runs quiet, it will only play about 2/3rds the way through a cylinder before slowing down. My guess is a tired mainspring as everything spins freely and is properly lubricated. It did the same thing before I took it apart. Am I on the right track?

[NEFaurora]

Yeah, You are probably looking at a new mainspring. You can get one from APSCO website, or Ron Sitko.

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[hearsedriver]

I discovered the problem with this today. It was not the mainspring. The gear that is between the mandrel and the governor was adjusted too tightly. Its the gear with the belt pulley attached. It seems to like a good .010"-.020" of play between the gear and the motor frame. It will easily play a 2 minute cylinder now and will actually run at full speed for about 3 minutes. Just thought I would pass this along to others with this issue.