I just got my first "late" Diamond Disc motor, the kind with no exposed speed control at all. It's playing at about 78-79 and I'd like to correct it.
I imagine this would involve an adjustment to the governor yoke, but I'm not sure. If someone with experience could post instructions and/or photos, I'd be most grateful.
Thanks in advance.
How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed control?
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- Victor VI
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- PeterF
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
It's doable but requires patience, and a special tool that none of us probably have, although you can fake it with a pair of needlenose pliers. Search the forum...I'm almost certain we went over it a few years ago, with pix.
- OrthoSean
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- Victor VI
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
OK, so that's what mine looks like too. Does turning that notched "screw" adjust the speed, or does it merely loosen the yoke? Or do I have to loosen the governor bearings and move the governor manually?
- PeterF
- Victor IV
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
Good find! Let me import the photo from that thread to this one, and give a bit of explanation.
Ok, see that round thingie on the left side, with the four notches? You have to stick a two-pronged tool into an opposing pair of the notches and rotate slowly while playing a record, til the speed is where you want it. It's a cam, not a screw, so there is no danger of overspeed or having parts fly all over - it simply cycles from slightly slow to slightly fast and back again as you rotate it.
I used a pair of long skinny needlenose pliers. It's hard to get it right, hard to reach, and the pliers slip out easily. If you have the ability, making a tool that is less prone to slip might make things easier.
Strongly suggest you clean and degum and properly lube the motor before changing the setting. Get some really strong lighting too.
Ok, see that round thingie on the left side, with the four notches? You have to stick a two-pronged tool into an opposing pair of the notches and rotate slowly while playing a record, til the speed is where you want it. It's a cam, not a screw, so there is no danger of overspeed or having parts fly all over - it simply cycles from slightly slow to slightly fast and back again as you rotate it.
I used a pair of long skinny needlenose pliers. It's hard to get it right, hard to reach, and the pliers slip out easily. If you have the ability, making a tool that is less prone to slip might make things easier.
Strongly suggest you clean and degum and properly lube the motor before changing the setting. Get some really strong lighting too.
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- Victor VI
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
Thanks for the explanation, Peter. On mine, the notched ring is very, very thin. I tried grabbing the outside of the ring with different types of pliers with no luck. The needle nose pliers I have are definitely too wide for this too. I'm afraid I'll have to manually adjust the governor bearings a hair if I want to make this work properly.
Right now, the motor is not in use in a machine and won't be unless I find a suitable cabinet with no (or a wrecked) motor, which is unlikely. I will keep this in mind for "someday".
Right now, the motor is not in use in a machine and won't be unless I find a suitable cabinet with no (or a wrecked) motor, which is unlikely. I will keep this in mind for "someday".
- PeterF
- Victor IV
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
Well, why not invest a few bucks in some needlenose pliers instead of altering geometries and clearances? You'll be able to put them to use on other projects. Here, this is what I used:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001IW50Y/re ... B001BQF1AQ
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BQF1AQ/re ... B0001IW50Y
I will admit to pinching myself pretty good doing it that way, though. Grinding down a nutdriver with the suitable socket diameter, to get four little projecting fingers, would be the right way to do it.
Note that you also have the so-called "shock proof" late-era governor, which is pretty cool.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001IW50Y/re ... B001BQF1AQ
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BQF1AQ/re ... B0001IW50Y
I will admit to pinching myself pretty good doing it that way, though. Grinding down a nutdriver with the suitable socket diameter, to get four little projecting fingers, would be the right way to do it.
Note that you also have the so-called "shock proof" late-era governor, which is pretty cool.
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- Victor II
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
I bet snap ring pliers would work great. Home depot has them and not expensive.
- Curt A
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
I use snap ring pliers for this type of thing and they work great... plus they remove or install snap rings...
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-927- ... pliers+set
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-927- ... pliers+set
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Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
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Re: How to adjust speed on Diamond Disc with no speed contro
It was my impression that the very late Diamond Discs were recorded at 78 rpm as the company was transitioning to electric recording and the edison laterals. I'm thinking that the speed setting for this late motor may be correct considering the era in which it was made. (I'm always looking for reasons to avoid work. )52089 wrote:I just got my first "late" Diamond Disc motor... It's playing at about 78-79 and I'd like to correct it.
Regards,
Martin