Farwell Victrola

[Victrolaboy]

The thumping noise coming from the motor as you wind it up is the old dried up grease in the spring barrels. The motor will have to be completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled using modern lubricants. There are several of us on this forum who rebuild motors, myself being one of them. If you want to try to tackle the job yourself like I already said, there are several of us who rebuild motors and we would be glad to help you. But before rebuilding the motor try spraying WD-40 into the springs. This will probably solve the thumping noise.

[Phono48]

When I wind it up it will make a spring snap sound when it starts to get slightly tight. I'm not sure if that's hurting the spring so I don't want to wind to much more then that.

A "snap" rather than a "thump", sounds more likely to be spring broken at the outer end. You are getting just enough tension to start the turntable but when it gets to a certain point, the broken end slips, instead of being held tight. "Thumping" usually only occurs when the motor is winding down, and the old solidified grease makes the coils of the spring stick together.

Barry

[Iva]

I have re-greased a motor before. It was actually pretty fun to do. Got to watch out for them springs...lol
I think I will tackle this one when it gets warmer outside.

The speed control may have some issues though. It wont slow done like it should. I'm guessing I'll see whats up when I take the top off. I need to look it over good first. take pics. That way I have a record of what went where.

[Victrolaboy]

If the mainspring is broken on the end you can cut it off and make a new pear shaped hole on the end. If this is the problem send me a PM and I'll send you messages describing the procedure. It's too much to type on this thread.

[Iva]

I sure hope it isn't a broken spring.
It winds good..and plays through a record with no problems.

I'm a bit bummed though. I used some Murphy Soap Oil on it and it seems like it was starting to take off the stain? I now have a light spot, as if the stain was rubbed off.

I'm pretty sure I can "fix" it...but bummed still.

I'm afraid to do any cleaning on it now.

[Iva]

OMG I just took out the record holders to see what it looks like inside.
I found the "DIRECTIONS" on a thick paper, stuck under some of the wood inside.

I'll takes pics of it when I get back. I have to head out for a bit.

sooo cool!!

[Iva]

ok
I had no idea the tone arm could do this.
Very neat indeed.

[52089]

ok
I had no idea the tone arm could do this.
Very neat indeed.

Be very careful when you try to rotate the joint. Chances are it's made of pot metal that has swollen over the years and will not turn properly. Don't force it or you might break it!

Usually soaking the joint in penetrating oil and/or putting the tonearm in the freezer for a few hours will get the joint to the point where it can be separated. Then you can lightly sand the joint and add a drop of oil before reassembly.

[Iva]

All I can say is they took very good care of this player. They said it was a family piece.

I can rotate it in all 3 ways with no problems.

However I did find a crack in the front leg I didn't see before. It will need some mending so it wont break farther.


I'm glad I didn't try to wind it up until the next morning and it was warmed up. Glad I was thinking about that at least.

In reading..I found the Farwell Warehouse burned down in 1891 with all its inventory inside. So maybe there are not many Farewell players out there because of this? Hard to say I guess.

the link with the info is here.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/gdc/mtfgc ... 990097.txt

[Phototone]

This Farwell player is much newer than 1891. I would say circa 1919 or thereabouts.