Follow The Restoration: the brilliant MYERS REPEATER(s)

[MicaMonster]

We've seen them all, haven't we? Disc phonograph repeaters. Celluloid or sheet steel, dragging, whipping, and spiraling the soundbox into inverted positions by throwing the needle around like a sock puppet. And in the end, after 200 plays, Uncle Josh *FINALLY* laughs a silent groove.

For your intrigue and bemusement, I present to you not one, but TWO repeaters invented by Hubert A. Myers: One for Victor/Victrola, and the other for universal fitment (although, it looks like it would work perfectly on a Columbia Grafonola!)

Hold onto your seats, kiddos....this is gonna get WEIRD. I will present both in their FINISHED states at the end of this progression, but the more interesting device is most definitely the Victor/Victrola repeater.



At first glance, one might wonder what the H3LL is going on. Why not use one of those single piece repeaters that destroy records reliably, with no additional moving parts? Why not? Because an inventor's mind NEVER rests.

This mechanism reminds me of how a Rosenfield repeating cylinder phonograph works. You'll see why.

To install on a Victor one must attach the device to the rubber flange of an Exhibition reproducer with the metal band and thumb bolt. Yes, this entire apparatus adds a few ounces to your soundbox. Oh, it gets better.

What, you may ask, is that "button" for on the left? After placing your soon-to-be-destroyed record on the turntable, slip the metal button on the spindle. Install new needle. The REPEAT/RESTART fingers (which bracket the spindle button) on the left rod are adjustable to your preferred START and REPEAT time.

Start playing your record. The tumble cam should have its return wheel in the UP position.



When the reproducer arrives at the end of the recording, the spindle button will contact the RESTART finger, and then the fun begins. The control yoke releases the tumble cam, which automatically rotates counterclockwise because of an internal weight. At this point a gum rubber belt on the outside of the cam (not shown, as it has disintegrated) gains traction on your $3500 Black Patti blues record, and continues rotating until the angled rubber drive wheel lifts the reproducer assembly and starts tracking it back to the beginning of the recording.


Shown from backside of tumble-cam.

When the reproducer returns to the beginning of the record, the inner finger contacts the spindle and disengages the return wheel, tumbling it over on its rubber belted edge until the wheel is again facing UP.

Look closely at the above picture. See that cylinder? When the needle is lowered, it lowers gently because that cylinder is a DASH POT with a rubber caster wheel under it (which, by the way, has been riding along the entire time!).


Reproducer lowered on dash pot.

The nickel plating needs cleaning. The dashpot was seized, and I had to heat it to loosen up the 90 year old oil that was gumming it up. The return wheel is hardened. The rubber belting is gone.

Both devices are patent stamped 6-22-15, and the Victor unit it stamped MYERS REPEATER, TOLEDO, OH.

Here is the other unit. It is more simple, yet still utilizes the same tumble cam mechanism (less dash pot). It has an adjustable motorboard mounted "flag" for switching between 12" operation and 10" operation.



Here is the ONLY patent I found, from 1920. Design looks equally complicated.



I'm sure the videos will mesmerize.

STAY TUNED as this restoration goes under way.

[Dave D]

These kinds of postings are my favorite! Thanks for doing another one.
Dave

[OrthoSean]

I too love these types of things. Never seen repeaters like these. Can't wait to see more!

Sean

[PeterF]

We. Need. Video.

[MicaMonster]

I applied some leather to the clamp, some gum rubber belting to the outside of the cam, and I cut a small piece of shrink tubing and heated it with a hairdryer to fit on the now-hardened rubber drive wheel. The rubber is so hard, that it has no "grab," so I hope the "re-belting" job does the trick. If it does, I will apply some stick glue to the wheel to hold the shrink tube in place.

This is the general application repeater. Th Victor repeater has TWO rubber wheels that need attention. I was thinking of sanding back both hardened wheels, and doing the same shrink tube trick.

I do not own a Grafonola, so I won't be able to make a video of this one until I visit a friend that has one (Sean Miller!!!!),.

[MicaMonster]

On the Victor repeater, the dashpot "idle" wheel was terribly hardened, and had a flat spot. This wheel rides on the record the entire time, and must be of soft composition. I went to the hardware store and found a soft rubber grommet that was the PERFECT size, both inner and outer diemeter:

[MicaMonster]

Having no other option, I cut a groove in the hardened return wheel, and installed a neoprene o-ring. Grips the record beautifully!

Now I wait until a repair comes in to try this on!

[MicaMonster]

I rebuilt an Exhibition to demonstrate mounting. It seems to me, that the smaller repeater can also be used on Victor, or any talking machine that it can adapt to. The larger one, most certainly fits Victor. But, possibly the larger mounting flange on a Grafonola, as it is of similar size.

[STARR-OLA]

This is a excellent post,im all eyes,then ears.

[MicaMonster]

Well, a research breakthrough. While staring at one of the repeaters, I noticed the weak stamping of the word "REPEATER." Scrutinizing over it longer, I figured out that it wasn't stamped "REPEATER," but "REPLAYER"!!!!

NOW I've found a patent drawing, AND an advert, which was strangely found in THE CRISIS, a publication from 1921 by the NAACP!!!