Help on Columbia Grafonola 120

[Guest]

Hello from Italy I'm noob on these fascinating "talking machine" I got as a gift from an old lady a Columbia Viva-tonal Grafonola n°120 (she was trashing it), I got a problem the turn table rotates but I try to play a disc I got a problem the turn table turns but when I try to place the needle on the record the table turn stop turning after a while. It looks like the arm is to heavy. Please help me...



Maybe something is missing here! There is an empty hole on the arm!

[barnettrp21122]

I'm glad you rescued it from the trash! There are a number of reasons why your turntable would slow down and stop..you might be trying to play the wrong era record (such as a World War II Columbia or RCA Victor), your steel needle may be too worn, or, most importantly, your motor mechanism and reproducer/arm need cleaning, lubrication, and general going-over. All motors and reproducers need tuneups, especially coming out of original owner's houses. Your posted pictures are too small for me to see the hole in the tonearm that you mention.
You can find out a lot searching posts on this forum, and I recommend finding a copy of Eric Reiss' "Compleat Talking Machine" which has information especially helpful for the beginner. Parts and needles are readily available through online dealers and Ebay.
Good luck with your project!
Bob

[Spun]

Hey, check out the "1928 Son-O-Phone" thread, we were having a very similar problem and got lots of helpful advice. Our main problem seems to have been a weak spring.

Very nice machine by rhe way!

[gramophoneshane]

The most common reason a motor omes to a stop while playing a record is because of poor lubrication.
Old oil becomes gummy & grease solidifies which can have disasterous effects on the motors ability to perform properly.
Once cleaned & lubricated. even fairly small single spring motors should play 78's in good condition from the 1940s & 50s.
If it wont, then it's probably due to either the governor needing adjustment, wear in the bearings, or the main spring becoming fatigued & needing to be replaced.

[Covah]

the main spring becoming fatigued & needing to be replaced.

That's my vote. Replace the springs, you can't lose.

[Gigli]

Thank to all for your answers.
I tried a new needle but it still stops the turntable.
In order to clean and to oil the motor I should pull out the winding crank. I tried to force a bit but it doesn't get out. Is there any lock or could be just rust?

P.s.

Here some link to hi res photos...

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33 ... 11166.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/f/5/05112011172.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84 ... 11170.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40 ... 11168.jpg/

[alang]

Congratulations, nice machine. The hole under the tonearm looks like there was probably some kind of lever attached there to trigger the automatic stop. Before looking at replacement parts I would first give the motor a good cleaning and lubrication and see if that resolves the slowdown problem. The wood only seems to need some good cleaning to look great again.
Good luck
Andreas

[Lucius1958]

Looks like you've got a Model D-2 there...

I've never heard of any locks on cranks (except maybe for some coin-op machines), so it may be some rust in the threads, or it's just sticky. If you can get a little Liquid Wrench or something in there, wait a while, and start to gently 'persuade' it counterclockwise, it should unscrew.

Bill

[Gigli]

Many thanks Bill that was the point! I was trying to pull out...when I had to unscrew!

There is number near the turn table is n°120...how old do you think is that?

[epigramophone]

Your machine appears in the Columbia Catalogue for August 1926 as the Standard Table Grand No.120 in Mahogany, price £9.10s. The Oak version was designated as No.119 and cost £8.10s. For the benefit of our younger viewers, there were 20 shillings to the pound before Britain went decimal in 1971.

The motor is described as "Powerful British made double spring motor, to play two 12 inch records." Clearly you have some work to do before you can test this claim!

It would be interesting to know how the machine ended up in Italy. Perhaps the lady who gave it to you could tell you something of it's history.