Question about Amberola X

[phonogal]

I picked up couple machines the other day and in the group was an Amberola X. When you wind it up and turn it on , the crank goes around as it unwinds. Before I try to figure out what is sticking, just thought I would ask to make sure it is supposed to release. I have a couple of front mount disc machines that do this but they have the kind of crank that comes off, so just wanted to ask. Thanks, Jan

[downsouth]

Once your done winding, try pulling the crank outwards to the right. That should disengage it. You should have a tension spring that engages when you wind it that pushes the crank back out when done. It may be disconnected or broken.

Wes

[Phonofreak]

The Amberola X uses a Gem mechanism. Like all Gems, the crank goes backwards when it unwinds. Unfortunately, this model has a very weak motor to power it. Very few were made, and very few survived. This made way for the Amberola 30, a much superior machine.
Harvey Kravitz

[phonogal]

Once your done winding, try pulling the crank outwards to the right. That should disengage it. You should have a tension spring that engages when you wind it that pushes the crank back out when done. It may be disconnected or broken.

Wes

Wes, It has a threaded crank.

[phonogal]

The Amberola X uses a Gem mechanism. Like all Gems, the crank goes backwards when it unwinds. Unfortunately, this model has a very weak motor to power it. Very few were made, and very few survived. This made way for the Amberola 30, a much superior machine.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks, Harvey. So it's not broken, the cranks supposed to unwind then. I have a DX, a 30 and a VI b and I knew they didn't do that. I had read that it was not a very successful model but at least it has a nice model B reproducer.

[Jerry B.]

Your motor on your Amberola X is based on the late Gem motor. To wind the gem motor, you push the crank in to engage the winding mechanism. When you are finished winding, there is a spring mechanism that pushed the crank out at bit and disengages the crank so it doesn't wind backwards. I suspect your machine is not disengaging so it runs backwards. Jerry B.

[phonogal]

Your motor on your Amberola X is based on the late Gem motor. To wind the gem motor, you push the crank in to engage the winding mechanism. When you are finished winding, there is a spring mechanism that pushed the crank out at bit and disengages the crank so it doesn't wind backwards. I suspect your machine is not disengaging so it runs backwards. Jerry B.

Thanks, Jerry, These machines have been setting for years untouched. When I went to pick up the Vic VI,the man offered them to me at a good price as he was moving this weekend. I'll need to go though and clean them up and oil and grease them.

[phonogal]

Found the problem with the sring. It's all back togather and running nicely. It will just play through a 4 min cylinder on a full wind. That's probably the best these will do. Thanks for all the help.