RAISING LID ON MACHINE

[ambrola]

The little Victor 1 I got the other day, I can't get the motor board open. It has a button at the back, and no matter how hard I push, it will not release. Any ideas on how to open it? I would love to check it. This phono and the others have been hidden in a building for over 50 years and who knows what might be in there. If I need to post a picture I can.

[Mr Grumpy]

Just saying...

Sometimes I try to open a machine without removing the crank first. Always causes a problem.
Other then that, the little button latch is a pretty simple contraption, maybe try using a tool to push it in a tad further?

[gramophone78]

The little Victor 1 I got the other day, I can't get the motor board open. It has a button at the back, and no matter how hard I push, it will not release. Any ideas on how to open it? I would love to check it. This phono and the others have been hidden in a building for over 50 years and who knows what might be in there. If I need to post a picture I can.

I assume you removed the crank..???.
Because the machine appears to have a coating of ?? on the case.....maybe it is a little stuck. Once the button is pressed.....there really isn't anything else holding the motor board.

[ambrola]

Yes, I removed the crank. There is no coating of anything on the case. It is just stuck. The button does push in I suppose?

[gramophone78]

Yes, I removed the crank. There is no coating of anything on the case. It is just stuck. The button does push in I suppose?

Sorry Ronnie, I had to ask.... . Based on this pic you posted of this Vic 1....there appears to be some type of coating on the case. The data plate also seems to have been covered. Maybe it's just a poor pic..??.
The latch button can only go so far. I would have someone hold the case and push the button while you try and lift the motor board with a hand on each side.

DSC05898.jpg (78.57 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

[VintageTechnologies]

Yes, I removed the crank. There is no coating of anything on the case. It is just stuck. The button does push in I suppose?

The button pushes in to release the motor board. Either the button can't be pushed in far enough to release (perhaps because something inside may be bent), or the motor board might be fused to the cabinet due to an old shellac finish that melted. I recently had a Victrola lid that was fused shut. I gave the front edge of the lid a gentle upward smack with the palm of my hand and it popped open.

I appreciate your reluctance to be too aggressive with a fragile antique. Take your time to get suggestions. Maybe someone could photograph a Victor I release to show you what the insides look like.

[ambrola]

The button is very stiff. I am going to try to use a quarter on it so I can push a little harder. It isn't fused, it gives a little. I think it is the picture making it look like there is something on the case. I will get it open today.

[gramophone78]

The button is very stiff. I am going to try to use a quarter on it so I can push a little harder. It isn't fused, it gives a little. I think it is the picture making it look like there is something on the case. I will get it open today.

As a last ditch effort only........you could carefully remove the thin bottom cover. Although, I'm cringing while writing this. It can be done.
There just is no other way...

[ambrola]

The button is very stiff. I am going to try to use a quarter on it so I can push a little harder. It isn't fused, it gives a little. I think it is the picture making it look like there is something on the case. I will get it open today.

As a last ditch effort only........you could carefully remove the thin bottom cover. Although, I'm cringing while writing this. It can be done.
There just is no other way...

Funny you said that, I actually thought about it. I think it is just being stubborn. As to the case, when I put the back bracket on, the original color is there, and beautiful. The rest of the case is pretty dirty. I haven't cleaned it yet, still trying to decide how. I would love to get it to match what's behind the back bracket. The ID plate needs restoring. I can't hardy see the serial number. I know it is an early model.

[Phonolair]

You may be able to get a thin (thickness) blade puddy knife between the motor board and case above the button. Than you can push directly on the latch with more force, good luck
Best Regards, Larry