Early VV-IV Phonograph Questions

[benjaminh]

I have here something that I've never seen before; it's a VV-IV phonograph; the funny thing about it is it has what a threaded shaft on the crank shaft that extends it to the point where it nearly is coming out of the case. (see pics below). In other words, where the crank usually screws on, there is another piece, threaded male and female, screwed on. Or at least this is what I think is there. Maybe this is just a different style to what I'm used to. Whether or not this is indeed a part that shouldn't be there, how would you suggest removing it? Problem is, right now, the motor board can't be lifted because this piece protrudes through the internal horn.

I've also been having some trouble with getting the platter off. I've tried the usual lift the phonograph and tap the spindle trick, but as of yet nothing has been successful. I'm going to leave it over night, but do you know of anything unusual on the early flat crank vv-iv's?

Benjamin

Pic Link: http://www.mediafire.com/view/joy5bvfup ... CF0006.JPG

[phonogfp]

It's possible that your Victrola IV was once housed in a Lundstrom "Converto" Cabinet. The extender still present on the winding shaft was necessary if the original crank was to clear the cabinet.

Here's an advertisement taken from one of R.J. Wakeman's excellent articles on the APS web site:

http://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talki ... j-wakeman/

George P.

[dutchman]

Good morning. I have a Victor VIa in a Lundstrom cabinet. Here is a photo of the crank like you mention. Looks like the extender piece will merely nscrew. Cheers

Bill K

[benjaminh]

Question is, how do you unscrew it? There is none of the extender protruding out of the case. (see this link: http://www.mediafire.com/view/pp2i16m18 ... CF0008.JPG)

[dutchman]

To the best of my recollection I believe these Victor table top machines just sat in the Converto cabinet and the only work required was to drill a crank hole in the side of the Converto cabinet,screw the extender on the crank and your good to go. In your case the fact the crank runs through the internal horn is a new one to me. I believe the crank should clear the internal horn.

[benjaminh]

I believe this is completely normal. Normally, the crank would go through the hole drilled in the internal horn. To lift the motor board, you would have to unscrew the crank. In my case, the extender is in place of the crank, going through the hole in the internal horn.

[dutchman]

I took the top off my VV IV (pic) is your machine the same. The horn assembly is metal up to the front slats and is notched for the motor to clear..

[benjaminh]

Mine is definetely not like that; it has a completely wood horn, no metal. Serial # is 150051 E

[benjaminh]

Mine looks like the one shown here: http://www.edisonphonology.com/victrolaIV.htm Mine is a slightly earlier model I believe, and should have a flat crank (ad posted in the Yankee Trader forum). As you can see in the one picture with the motor removed and motor board lifted, there is a hole in the front of the wood horn, where the crank shaft goes through. Mine has the extender going through this hole.

[dutchman]

Well that clears that up. I see what you mean. Until you can get the platter off, remove the motor screws and the top, perhaps you will have some room to attack the extension. At the very minimum you could cut a slot from the speaker crank hole and lift the motor up and out. The platter is not held on with a screw I trust.......

Bill K