Pesky Victor Winding Gear

[Victrolacollector]

So about a year ago, I found a early Victrola winding gear for my VV-IV.
(this is the one that uses the earlier model Victor motor, I installed the ratchet gear and it held perfect on every tooth of the gear). This morning I was winding the machine and now I think I have one or two broken teeth again, same as the last one that was in the machine when I purchased it.

Are these winding gears very fragile? I would think someone would start making some good ones in reproduction.

[JerryVan]

I can probably make a gear for you. Post a photo of the bad one.

[JerryVan]

Are you talking about an actual gear, or do you mean the ratchet wheel? Either way, I can probably help you out, if you'll post a photo.

[Victrolacollector]

Hi Jerry

Here are some photos.

Jerry

[Victrolacollector]

I am wondering if the winding pawl might be bad?

[JerryVan]

A little hard to tell with some of the lube in the way, but I would guess that the pawl is the trouble. Be sure it can rotate very freely on its pin and not get gummed up with heavy lube. I would swab some lacquer thinner on the pawl & pin and wiggle it around some to flush out and remove what looks like heavy lube/oil/grease on and around the pawl. Each end should be fairly sharp and not rounded over.

[Henry]

A little hard to tell with some of the lube in the way, but I would guess that the pawl is the trouble. Be sure it can rotate very freely on its pin and not get gummed up with heavy lube. I would swab some lacquer thinner on the pawl & pin and wiggle it around some to flush out and remove what looks like heavy lube/oil/grease on and around the pawl. Each end should be fairly sharp and not rounded over.

Ronsonol (i.e., lighter fluid; same as naphtha and liquid Coleman fuel) and mineral spirits (paint thinner) will work, too. Don't get them on the cabinet finish! All such products are highly flammable!

[Victrolacollector]

I found a old mainspring and barrel with the winding pawl on it and took off the old winding pawl assembly and replaced it with the other one. Believe it or not this now works perfect, it grabs every tooth of the winding gear nicely.

I never would have though the other winding pawl would have been bad. So if any other members experience this problem, its worth a try.

[FellowCollector]

I never would have though the other winding pawl would have been bad. So if any other members experience this pro

It's almost always necessary (and very sensible) to replace the winding pawl when you replace a bad ratchet gear on a phonograph. Many years ago I replaced a badly worn ratchet gear that had rounded teeth on an Edison Standard with an excellent ratchet gear from a donor Edison Standard parts motor that I had. I made the mistake of not replacing the winding pawl along with the ratchet gear and after I put everything back to together I was full of confidence. On my very first wind the crank held for about 3 seconds and then RRRRRRRRRRRIIIIPPPPP !! The spring released its tension in about 1 second immediately followed by me yelling out several colorful words. I opened the cabinet and noticed that my previously excellent condition ratchet gear now had broken ends on almost all the teeth. A lesson learned that I will never forget. Please don't make the same mistake I did all those years ago.

Doug