Help with VV-VI Victrola

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apruizii
Victor II
Posts: 439
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:54 pm

Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by apruizii »

I just picked up a 1916 VV-VI tabletop Victrola with serial number 258209F. It came without a record platter. I tried using a spare typical Victrola platter with a ⅜" diameter spindle hole but it doesn't fit past the tip of the spindle. It appears the thicker part of the motor spindle is slightly thicker than normal. Does anyone know if this is normal with the year of this model?
And if so, does anyone have a spare platter that will fit? Also it's the first time I've seen spherical governor weights as opposed the half moon ones. Is this the proper motor for this phonograph?

Thanks,

AR
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outune
Victor IV
Posts: 1185
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:13 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by outune »

Hi Adolfo-

Yes-- There are differences in spindle sizes. I have a large box full of turntables. I'll look tomorrow to see if any are the larger size.

And the governor weights look correct to me.
Hope all is well!

Brad Abell

apruizii
Victor II
Posts: 439
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:54 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by apruizii »

Hi Brad,

I hope you have the correct turntable. Thanks for helping me out.

Adolfo

outune
Victor IV
Posts: 1185
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:13 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by outune »

Hi Adolpho- No luck on the turntable. Sorry--- You have an earlier motor and many of those had a slightly larger shaft. I believe they were a hang-over from the earlier machines eg table top VV-X and others. Those earlier machines had a larger diameter shaft. I have a couple earlier turntables with larger holes, but they are paired with earlier motors that I have--and they don't have the extended mounting hub you likely need.

Worst case, you can incrementally ream out the hole on the turntable you have until it fits correctly. I've done that in the past when in a pinch. Sorry I couldn't help more. I went through about 20 turntables and all were the standard size for the later motors.

Brad Abell

apruizii
Victor II
Posts: 439
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:54 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by apruizii »

Brad,

That's unfortunate. Thanks for trying! I appreciate it. What's the diameter of the spindle hole of the correct platter? Maybe someone else on the forum has one.

Adolfo

outune
Victor IV
Posts: 1185
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:13 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by outune »

Hi- I don't have any sort of digital tool to determine diameter. I'm sure someone can help-- I will say that a ⅜" drill bit seems to fit correctly in each type of TT. It's that close.
If you reamed out a standard turntable, you'd be removing a minute amount of metal. Reaming with emory cloth may be all that is needed.

Brad

MarkELynch
Victor II
Posts: 322
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:19 pm
Location: Silver Spring, MD

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by MarkELynch »

Adolfo,
Thanks for including the Victor model and serial number, that makes these questions easier to research.

Sorry that Brad couldn’t help, he is a good guy and often a helpful source for things like this.

The turntable issue is a thorny one. The Victor parts listing for spindles and turntables specify ⅜” diameters in virtually all cases but we know from experience this is not always the case. There are some turntable specs that say “same as xxx part number but slightly larger hole” others say “same as xxx part number but hole is 0.005” smaller”. The Victor dealer parts listing are usually very helpful but not this time. The turntables were sold with the felt attached so some of the turntable parts number vary to account for differences in the felt not the physical size.

Regarding measuring the spindle:

A wise man one said “One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions”

Let me encourage everyone to own some basic measuring tools.
1. Micrometer 0-1”
2. Thread pitch gauge
3. Vernier or digital outside caliper, 6”

If you don’t want high end tools, inexpensive ones are available at Home Depot. $50 will get you the set. Spend more of you can afford better tools.

Once you have your set of tools measure your spindle and tell us what size you have. Without a measurement the readers here won’t know what you need. The hole in the turntable should be about 0.002-0.003” larger. Emory cloth as Brad suggests or an adjustable hand reamer would do the trick if you can’t find the stock size for your particular VI.

Regarding the governor ball, the ones you have pictured are correct.

I hope you find this information useful.

Mark
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apruizii
Victor II
Posts: 439
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:54 pm

Re: Help with VV-VI Victrola

Post by apruizii »

Brad and Mark

Thanks for all of the tips and advise. I really appreciate it! I ended up boring a slightly bigger hole with a ⅜" drill bit little by little until the platter seated properly...success! I just need to glue the felt pad and I'm good to go.

I'll still be sure to get the handy measurement tools!

Adolfo
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