Major Set Back or Minor adjustment?

[alang]

Ok, so you don't habe a V-I, but rather a VV-VI (Victor Victrola 6). I have one as well and with its 2 spring motor it should pull easily through any record of that pre-1930 period. I would try and purchase a couple of records with labels like Curt posted and it should work. They should not cost more than a dollar or two a piece.

Good luck
Andreas

[Edisone]

Todd, where are you? I'm sure some of us have extra records that you can have for nothing

[toddbowie]

I live in Niles, MI, just North of South Bend, IN. I'd be glad to pay postage if no one is close by.

[Curt A]

I grew up in Michigan and had clients in Niles. Years ago, I got a Columbia Grafonola from a client in Niles... By the way, nice machine - It was the first table top phonograph I ever had and my sister in Michigan has it now.

[Curt A]

One more thing... make sure the records are clean before playing them. Years of gunk can slow them down, also. You can clean them with soap and water or you can use my controversial method of cleaning them with WD-40. I have used this method for years with absolutely no problems, but currently the FDA along with the Record Washers Union of America have deemed it experimental and will not endorse it...

[toddbowie]

The first wind up I worked on was a 1927 Grafonola. Maybe you could expand a little on your WD-40 record cleaning method. I little lubricating cleaning makes sense to me.

[Jerry B.]

If you can't find records locally, let me know and I'll mail some. Jerry

[Curt A]

First, I wipe the records with a damp cloth or paper towel to get the excess surface dirt off. Then, I squirt two small spots of WD-40 on the side I am cleaning, across from each other... Then I wipe the record in a circular motion with the grooves to remove deeply imbedded crud and finally, I wipe off any excess WD-40. Then, I play that side with a new needle which dislodges any other material in the grooves and wipe the record again. It absolutely will not damage a shellac or vinyl record and in my opinion, it makes an improvement in the sound and appearance of the record. Purists will disagree, but I have been doing this for 30 years and NO adverse effects, only positive. You can't actually improve the condition of the record, but slight lubrication is restorative to the shellac since they seem to dry out over time. A thorough cleaning like this will improve the sound somewhat... and it makes them have less friction.