crank issue on an early Victrola VV-VI - help?

[brianu]

I recently picked up a pretty nice VV-VI, it's clean, the motor runs very well... but for some reason, I can't remove the crank... it winds up the motor just fine, it looks like the correct type, but it won't budge when I try to turn it counter clockwise to remove it... any idea what could be causing this? I can't even get to the motor inside the case with the crank still attached... I don't know.

[alang]

You could try letting some penetrating oil run along the crank shaft and let it sit for a few days. You could also try freezer spray on the crank shaft to hopefully get it loose. If all fails maybe you can remove the motorboard screws and remove the lid to see what is going on.

Good luck!
Andreas

[rizbone]

Or try pulling it straight out. Maybe someone stuck a very early motor in there.

[GrafonolaG50]

You could try letting some penetrating oil run along the crank shaft and let it sit for a few days. You could also try freezer spray on the crank shaft to hopefully get it loose. If all fails maybe you can remove the motorboard screws and remove the lid to see what is going on.

Good luck!
Andreas

I second Alang. Kroil, PB Blaster or deep creep work wonders.

[EarlH]

50% acetone and 50% automatic transmission fluid will work better than any of the ready-made stuff to loosen rusty or tight screws or bolts. I don't have any idea why, but a machinist told me that 6-8 years ago and it really does work well. And it's cheap.

[brianu]

it's definitely not the slip on type of crank... at least I don't think it is. I've already tried to just pull it out. I'm pretty certain it's threaded. and unfortunately there's no way to open the case when the crank is attached... unless I can somehow unscrew the bolts attaching the motor to the motor board, but I don't think that will be possible either because I can't reach the nuts to grasp them and keep them from spinning as I try to remove the bolts from them. I'm trying to avoid going through the bottom of the case.

I'll try the penetrants, I've just never had to go that route before. my fear is that someone, for who knows what reason, may have done something stupid to "permanently" attach the crank. I just picked this up at an auction nearby that had maybe a half dozen machines, a couple cylinder players, a IX and an 80, all of which needed some work even though it appeared that someone had already started "restoring" them. the 80 had an entire side of loose veneer that someone had reattached with a few dozen tacks. I saw someone there who looked like a dealer from the area, not entirely sure (but this sort of "restoration" would be consistent with him), although he wasn't bidding, just watching. I'm figuring if that's true, he may have been unloading some of his unsellables and I just got stuck with one. ugh.

[Jerry B.]

I'd follow Andreas' suggestion about removing the screws around the edge that hold the motor board to the lower portion of the case. If the motor board is hinged, I'd try going through the bottom of the case. Jerry

[brianu]

I'd follow Andreas' suggestion about removing the screws around the edge that hold the motor board to the lower portion of the case. If the motor board is hinged, I'd try going through the bottom of the case. Jerry

it's the hinged type, so the bottom of the case is going to have to be the approach I guess if the penetrants don't work... just seems like a lot of trouble for a basic tabletop victrola.

[Uncle Vanya]

If the machine is a REALLY early VV-VI, one of the models with the 10" turntable, the motor will be held in place with screws into the plate, rather than with nuts. In that case remove the turntable and the screws which hold the motor in place, then raise the motor board, leaving the motor sitting in the horn. This should allow you to get to the threads of the crank so that you may give it a good dos of penetrant.

[Stephen_Madara]

can you take the back bracket off of the case and see inside