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Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:18 pm
by pellicano1
All,
I have a Victor Orthophonic reproducer where the 2 fine prongs that connect the diaphragm to the needle bar tip are missing. They usually get soldered onto the diaphragm center. Is there a way to repair this with some wire type or will a new needle bar be needed? Also, any tricks to removing the tone arm gasket from the reproducer? Probably been on there for 90 years lol.
Thanks all!!

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:48 am
by pellicano1
I was told I need a new needle bar. I have the reproducer all apart but does anyone know the trick to removing the pivot bars?

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:49 am
by JerryVan
pellicano1 wrote:I was told I need a new needle bar. I have the reproducer all apart but does anyone know the trick to removing the pivot bars?

You need to press the pivot pin out of the needle bar to remove it. It requires a small metal tube that you slip over the pivot pin on one end, and a small punch to drive out the pin from the other end. The pin is driven into the tube, which supports the needle bar body. All the while, be sure to not put any pressure on the reproducer housing itself, especially if it's pot metal. Reverse the process to reinstall. It's all very easy and only requires you to have 3 or 4 hands. ;)

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:58 pm
by De Soto Frank
Begs another question: why are the two "legs" broken-off ? :o

Often this occurs when the index-lug of the back-plate has broken-off / disintegrated, allowing the back-plate and diaphragm to rotate with the spanner ring, and the two needle-bar legs twist around themselves like a bread-tie, until they snap-off.

I have a couple of OSBs where this is what happened.

I am wondering if there is a way to silver-solder new legs to the needle-bar, and then soft-solder to the eyelet in the spider ?

Make sure you back-plate locks to the front cover before reassembly, so that things can't "spin" and do damage.

:coffee:

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:52 pm
by pellicano1
Thanks guys!

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:02 pm
by pellicano1
De Soto Frank wrote:Begs another question: why are the two "legs" broken-off ? :o

Often this occurs when the index-lug of the back-plate has broken-off / disintegrated, allowing the back-plate and diaphragm to rotate with the spanner ring, and the two needle-bar legs twist around themselves like a bread-tie, until they snap-off.

I have a couple of OSBs where this is what happened.

I am wondering if there is a way to silver-solder new legs to the needle-bar, and then soft-solder to the eyelet in the spider ?

Make sure you back-plate locks to the front cover before reassembly, so that things can't "spin" and do damage.

:coffee:
There has to be I would think, replacement metal. After all your soldering it to the diaphragm why not the needle bar as well? The question is what type of metal?

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:37 pm
by De Soto Frank
The needle-bar itself is steel, the lever-part that ends in the two "legs" that solder into the eyelet of he spider is sheet-steel, that is formed and drawn into a tapering trough that is peened / crimped into the needle-bar, and ends as the two "wire legs" at the other end.


Not sure what suggest as a repair material... it needs to be strong and light, as well as solderable.

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:31 am
by JerryVan
pellicano1 wrote:
De Soto Frank wrote:Begs another question: why are the two "legs" broken-off ? :o

Often this occurs when the index-lug of the back-plate has broken-off / disintegrated, allowing the back-plate and diaphragm to rotate with the spanner ring, and the two needle-bar legs twist around themselves like a bread-tie, until they snap-off.

I have a couple of OSBs where this is what happened.

I am wondering if there is a way to silver-solder new legs to the needle-bar, and then soft-solder to the eyelet in the spider ?

Make sure you back-plate locks to the front cover before reassembly, so that things can't "spin" and do damage.

:coffee:
There has to be I would think, replacement metal. After all your soldering it to the diaphragm why not the needle bar as well? The question is what type of metal?

The type of metal isn't too important, as long as you can solder it. Steel or brass would be o.k.

As far as soldering the replacement tabs to the arm, as you reason, that's easier said than done. Yes, while everything is apart, you can solder some new tips on the arm. Then, with the reproducer reassembled, working in a very confined spot, you will attempt to solder the tips to the diaphragm. What will happen is that when the tips are hot enough to solder to the diaphragm, they are also hot enough to unsolder from the arm and will just fall off. That's why Frank suggested silver soldering the tip in place. Silver solder has a higher melting point than lead solder and won't melt away during attachment to the diaphragm. BTW, the "silver solder" they sell at Home Depot and the like is junk and really no different than lead solder. Even with an undamaged needle arm, soldering it to the diaphragm is a delicate and tedious affair.

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:10 am
by phonojim
I will check my reproducer parts box and see if I have an extra complete needle bar assembly. If I do, I will pm you for your address and send it to you.

Jim

Re: Victor Orthophonic Reproducer Question

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:58 am
by briankeith
I would send it to Wyatt for a complete overhaul. He did mine - excellent !!