Orthophonic Reproducer Question

[billybob62]

I am a complete novice on this, but I have a question: In the process of twisting and removing a reproducer, the front came right off and I now have two parts. Should I throw it away or can it be restored?
Thanks for any possible advice.

[FloridaClay]

It is most unlikely that what happened is fatal. It would help greatly if you could post a picture showing how it came apart.

Clay

[billybob62]

Thank you. I shall do that Saturday.

[billybob62]

Apparently the front and back parts screw together and are retained by a retaining screw which appears to be missing. The good news is that both parts look great. Pictures still coming.

[billybob62]

These are terrible pictures but I hope someone might be able to see if there is a problem.The second picture shows through to the diaphragm where the screw or whatever is missing.
Thanks to all.
John

[wjw]

The back side perimeter is a threaded retaining ring. In your photos I don't see that this was ever unscrewed?

[billybob62]

Hi, when I took hold and turned it, the rear plate came off but the front remained on the tone arm. I really know next to nothing about these. If there was a ring, I didn't see or find it.I screwed it back on as it was when I got it. Thanks.

[De Soto Frank]

Your third picture - ...696 - this shows the retaining ring is present.


There are three parts to the reproducer case:

> Body / Front cover with the tear-drop shaped holes

> Back-plate, which has the raised letters about "Victor Orthophonic" etc. and the mounting-neck

> Threaded retaining ring ( I call it a "spanner ring" ), with two curving "slots", each about 5/16" long, which recieve the pins or legs of a spanner (wrench).


All parts of your particular version of the Orthophonic Sound Box ( OSB for short ) are made of Pot-metal ( die-cast zinc alloy ), which has a nasty reputation for being unstable ( fragile ), especially that threaded ring.

Examine all pieces carefully for cracks / "swelling".

The Back-Plate has a step formed into the outer rim, to accommodate the Retaining Ring. The inner "shoulder" of this step, sometimes shows arcing (curving)cracks, and the outer edge of that shoulder pushes outwards towards the Retaining Ring. This expansion and pressure first jams the retaining ring from turning, then if the cracking / expansion continues, the retaining ring will crack/ break right across its width. In extreme cases, the cracking / expansion is so extensive, that the body / Front-Cover will crack as well.


I've never seen an OSB come-apart the way you have described it: if I read the original post correctly, you were trying to remove the complete reproducer assembly from the tapering tone-arm, and the OSB came apart unexpectedly ? (There was originally a little index pin protruding from the edge of the Back-Plate, that engaged a hole at the bottom of the front-cover ( directly behind the needle-chuck ), which prevent the Back-Plate from rotating inside the Front Cover. It would seem that this little pin has broken-off, and this has allowed the Back-Plate and Retaining-Ring to spin-out of hte front cover. )

But, in any case, that seems to be what has happened.

If your Back-Plate and Retaing-Ring are crack-free, you might be able to separate the Ring from the Back-Plate: heat your kitchen over to 150* F, then turn it off. Put the Back-Plate and Ring on a cookie-sheet and place them in the oven for a half-hour or so. Then remove ( use gloves ! ) , and see if the Retaining-Ring will spin around the Back-Plate. It will, gently try to spin the Ring off the Plate. If it is stuck tight, or turns then seizes, stop.

If the Ring does not release with this gentle treatment, suggest you consider sending the whole business to Walt Sommers in Gettysburg, PA - he does great work with these, and I believe has replacement pieces for the Ring and Back-Plate.

In the meantime, if you can grab some sharp, clear images of that Back Plate and Ring, we might be able to see from the photos if there is any cracking.

(Gotta run, battery is at 7%... )

[billybob62]

Thank you, Frank. I knew there was something missing which you call a little index pin .
I don't see any cracks anywhere but I think I'll send it along with another to Walt Sommers for evaluation, etc. rather than, being a novice, end up destroying it.