Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

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emgcr
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Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by emgcr »

Throughout history, people, events, designs and articles become forgotten for many different reasons. One such reason for knowledge to die out has to do with competitive corporate secrets. Many of the finer points of the manufacture of gramophone records have gone to the grave with their inventors and producers and, similarly, important details of the operation of Garrard Super Motors have been lost.

I admire these beautifully made spring-driven power sources but have encountered a few problems over the years, particularly in relation to exactly what oil to use, what quantity and what material to employ for the oil pump washer.

It is fortunate that we have amongst our fraternity on this forum someone who winds his motors for many hours a day resulting in a usage which is probably equal to the total amount in a lifetime for less enthusiastic gramophiles. It has thus been possible to make a good assessment of operational requirements and longevity of components.

What oil ?

In the past, and being unable until recently to find contemporary specifications, I have used 20/50 motor car oil which, although excellent for prohibiting mechanical wear, has proved too heavy for the delicate mechanism of a gramophone motor and, in particular, the governor. One of the problems encountered has been a variation or wobble of pitch and it is fortunate that, whilst browsing the ‘net, I was lucky enough to come across the following link---see page 7 :

http://www.radio-workshop.co.uk/service ... ble%20.pdf

The use of sewing machine oil has transformed the performance and reliability of the Super Motor.

What oil quantity ?

Finding the original recommended amount has, so far, proved impossible. We do have a picture of the bottle containing the correct amount but, not having the scale, it is rather meaningless—see photos. Some years ago I made a guess at 100 ml but have now learned that this is too much in view of the fact that, with so much liquid floating around the system, the grease in the spring barrels is eventually leached out to form a combined glutenous heavy sticky fluid which tends to gum-up the mechanism and can exacerbate pitch flutter. I am now experimenting with just 30 ml which, to date, seems to work well.

What pump washer material ?

The Super Motor is said to be an oil-bath motor. The whole mechanism is enclosed within a 99% oil-tight case---a small aperture is built in for the purpose of breathing. An ingenious pump is situated in the lower section drawing oil from a shallow sump which is then circulated up into a gallery at the top of the casing from where it is directed to all parts requiring lubrication. Motive force is generated every time winding takes place---a simple but clever reliable arrangement.

The small washer screwed to the front end of the pump plunger is usually cracked, worn away or partially destroyed when it is time to service the motor. There seem to have been several different materials used which are not easy to identify. Leather certainly seems to have been one and does work well for a while. Recently, I have discovered that extensive use causes the leather to wear and break down, allowing particles to be distributed throughout the motor casing and onto shafts, bearings etc. This has almost certainly been responsible for some of the pitch flutter.

To get over this difficulty, new washers have been manufactured from a nitrile rubber, the definition of which is as follows :

DMR NBR is a black Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, commonly referred to as NBR, Nitrile or Buna. Good physical properties and chemical resistance to the most common hydraulic fluids makes NBR an excellent sealing material. NBR materials are one of the most commonly used elastomers in sealing applications.

The shape, as shown in the photos, is partly conical (45 degrees) which ensures that outward washer pressure is increased in line with oil pressure in the cylinder. The diameter of the plunger is 0.500” and the nitrile cone outside diameter varies 1/16” either side of this measurement.

I now have a good stock of these washers if anyone should be in need. They work well and should greatly increase longevity.
Attachments
DSC04969.JPG
DSC04329.JPG
Garrard oiling instructions.
Garrard oiling instructions.
Original Garrard oil bottle but quantity not specified.
Original Garrard oil bottle but quantity not specified.
Worn leather washer. Material not ideal for longevity.
Worn leather washer. Material not ideal for longevity.
Side view of, part conical, washer. Ignore radiator key just being used as a prop !
Side view of, part conical, washer. Ignore radiator key just being used as a prop !
New, part conical, nitrile washers.
New, part conical, nitrile washers.
Pump plunger with new, part conical, nitrile washer.
Pump plunger with new, part conical, nitrile washer.

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Phonoboy
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by Phonoboy »

Fascinating, and what a beautiful motor. What exactly is the vintage of the unit?
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by Orchorsol »

Top work and invaluable knowledge gained for continuing to use and maintain these fine beasts - many thanks Graham! Mine isn't in use at present but will be at some point. Please count me in for a small supply of those washers.
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emgcr
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by emgcr »

Phonoboy wrote:Fascinating, and what a beautiful motor. What exactly is the vintage of the unit?
The Super Motor first started life in 1920 and you may find the following history of the company interesting.


http://www.garrard501.com/history.html

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Phonoboy
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by Phonoboy »

emgcr wrote:
Phonoboy wrote:Fascinating, and what a beautiful motor. What exactly is the vintage of the unit?
The Super Motor first started life in 1920 and you may find the following history of the company interesting.


http://www.garrard501.com/history.html
Very interesting indeed.
Thank you.
This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender-Pete Seeger.

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emgcr
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by emgcr »

Here is a schematic drawing of the Super Motor.

Click on image to enlarge.
Attachments
005.JPG

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Phonoboy
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by Phonoboy »

I would love to/fear to take one apart. It's just to awesome.
This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender-Pete Seeger.

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Steve
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by Steve »

HMV copied this idea for the No. 52 motor. Very clever idea and superbly made (to both types).

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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by winsleydale »

Use gun oil. Gun oil is best oil.
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bhmack71
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Re: Garrard Super Motor. Reinventing the wheel............

Post by bhmack71 »

Actually, regarding the oil, the best oil for that application would be Moebius 'Swiss Clock Oil'. It's the best antique clock oil you can buy and is used in high-end antique clocks. It comes in a tiny vial like perfume samples come in for something like $15 or 20ml for around $30. It's pretty expensive. (It can be found on eBay or at any Antique Clock Dealer) A single pinhead sized drop from the end of a toothpick will not chemically change for years in clock movements and it is very light so it's perfect for gears and enclosed metal on metal lubrication. Alternatively, sewing-machine oil is the same or very similar to clock oil so you should be fine going that way......

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