Adjusting Paillard GGR 255 Motor Governor

[Garret]

Hello all!

I am nearly finished with the rebuilding of my Paillard GGR 255 motor for my Expert Minor! The springs have been replaced, the motor cleaned, and also rebuilt. However, I am having trouble with adjusting the governor. As you will see, the governor sits in bushings that do not have centered holes in them. Instead, they are offset.

If I may ask; how do I adjust the governor, considering that the holes in which the governor is set aren't even centered? Any advice you can offer is appreciated, as I really want to get this motor back together. Link to pictures here: https://app.box.com/s/cf6zwl50xnjfeoqkvb8bnnm6sjzlhb76.

Many thanks!

Garret

[Garret]

Surely, someone has some thoughts?

[emgcr]

Hello Garret,

Rather busy at present. It is usually advisable not to dismantle both bearings but, if such action is inevitable, it is always a good idea carefully to mark exact locations before disturbing. Removal of governor complete with shaft can usually be effected without having to disturb both ends. It is then easy to replace in exactly the correct positions where everything has been happily working together for years. You may be able to ascertain approximate original settings from pinch bolt marks on the outer bearing surfaces ? However...............

The eccentric bearings are deliberately designed that way to allow fine mesh adjustment and silky operation between worm and wheel---a very useful two-dimensional facility to accommodate slight manufacturing intolerances or wear over the decades. It is really a question of common sense and trial/error to find the new "sweet spot". Start with the governor shaft roughly amidships longitudinally in terms of bearing projection at either end of the frame and with the eccentrics in such a position that no undue pressure is brought to bear on the mesh. In other words, do not immediately place the bearing holes where the fit would be tightest. You may find it desirable to return to such settings later but begin carefully.

At all times, whatever you do, please operate in an extremely gentle fashion as it is easy to cause damage.

With the springs fully wound down, it is then relatively straightforward to view/listen to the mesh in operation by producing motion (in the normal operating direction---not backwards) with gentle finger pressure on the gear train. It is advisable to keep the amount of eccentricity the same at both ends if you can but this is not always possible, depending upon previous wear patterns. Then, proceed to vary the settings until the optimal positions are found. Remember to allow slight end float on the shaft to avoid binding---up to about 0.010" is fine. The correct setting will also show a very small amount of "back-lash" (perhaps as little as 0.001")---ie not completely tight together---between worm and wheel---again, to avoid binding. I normally then wind the springs just sufficient to allow slow running to double check all is well.

Make sure you are in the right frame of mind to do this work as it can often take some time and impatience might be rewarded with disaster !

Oil the (clean) bearings and use a trace of very light grease (not oil) on the worm. Double check that oil exists on the governor shaft between it and its concentric outer shaft on which the weights are fixed---the whole assembly must be able to slide backwards and forwards easily. Oil the governor felt pad with light Singer Sewing Machine oil.

Just as a precaution, perhaps I should remind that, in the event that you are not satisfied with the settings when you have first wound the springs fully but find that you still need to adjust---remember to allow the whole motor to run down completely before loosening the governor shaft bearings.

If the latter precaution is not taken and there is any residual pressure in the system, disaster can occur frighteningly quickly as things get out of control with teeth being stripped off the (fibre ?) drive wheel.

Good luck and you will probably not find it as complicated as it sounds !

[Garret]

Graham,

Thank you so much for the advice! I'll give the adjustments a try this weekend taking all of this information into account.

Garret

[emgcr]

Let me know how you get on. The thing to aim for is maximum free running with the smallest spring pressure in the gear train. When correctly set, the governor should run silently "on a puff of the smallest breeze" and hardly want to stop..............

[Garret]

Graham,

Thank you so much for your advice. The point about the pinch marks in the brass end bearings was exactly what I needed to hear. I gave the end bearings a good look, slid them into the casting to the point where they oxidized a little from exposure to the air, rotated to the small pinch marks left from the set screws, and - presto! The motor ran perfectly, well, almost. I adjusted the end bearings just ever so slightly more, and it runs like a top. The only noise comes from the felt governor pad. I hated rebuilding this motor, especially sourcing the new springs, but in hindsight, I'm glad I did. I wish Victor motors were this precisely built. It runs really well - so smooth.

Right now I have the Expert Minor mostly back together, sans a cabinet screw and some washers that were missing when I got it. I am wondering if I am getting some leakage in the system somewhere, as I was expecting a bit more volume on playback, but that's a problem for another day. I'll soon send you a picture of what things look like so far.

Sincerely,

Garret

[Bruce]

Garret

I am a big fan of Paillard machines and the quality of their workmanship. Congratulations on not only owning one but cleaning it up and tuning it to run so smoothly.

When I first read your questions I fretted over how to answer but luckily for you and me Graham stepped in. Great description and detail.

Glad it worked and you will be able to enjoy a beautifully made machine.

Can I ask that you post a photo or two of your machine for all the forum members to see.

Bruce

[Garret]

Hello Bruce!

I will post some pictures in a couple of weeks - I am away from the machine at the moment. It's not perfect, but it is running and playing. I think there's an air leak, and need to sort that out, but it sounds decent, and the mere fact that we have a working machine with beautiful case is a huge step forward.

Best Wishes,

Garret