The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Can anyone offer advice on what to do if a Ragtime Rastus phono toy isn’t gripping the spindle tight enough to make the toy function and instead keeps sliding off?

I saw on the phono forum that someone had used a hose clamp to apply more pressure to the piece that hugs the spindle and that solved the problem..

Is this the way to go or are there other tricks such as putting a little masking tape on the spindle to provide better resistance?

Thank you for your expertise!

vinmarsh44 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 4:23 am ... the piece that hugs the spindle...

Please post a picture of that area.

Hi Kevin- PM sent with some ideas to try.

Brad Abell

I had a similar problem I put a piece of wire around it and twisted end’s until it was tight enough ,and the clipped the ends close

Use a small wire/cable tie and cut off the excess...

I suspect you are missing this part. It fits tightly on the spindle and the toy mechanism fits into it.
Contact Yamaphone on this forum; he makes them
I got a couple from him to fix my neighbours’ toys.

Meant to attach this photo as well.

Yes, that is a necessary part. Brian Parlier at: thephonographshop.com makes them.

When this toy was described back in the days (1914-1925), it stated that the best diameter of the interface spindle grip was ¼" (int).

allen