Amberola 30 binding

[Edisonh19]

A friend of mine asked me to look at his Amberola machine which is binding. The player makes its way to about ½ to ¾ of the way across the cylinder then it binds. The horn doesn't seem to be moving freely and it's causing a lot of friction and binding that prevents progression of the reproducer across the record. Is there a fix for this problem? I haven't worked on an Amberola before, only Standards and Diamond Discs. It appears that the linkage between the horn and the reproducer should be more flexible than it is to allow freer movement of the horn. Does that linkage need to be lubricated?

Thanks!
Ed.

[Jerry B.]

On an Amberola 30/50/75 the horn rotates slightly on the reproducer as it plays. You might try some lubrication where the horn meets the reproducer. Also, there should be a small spring that helps suspend the horn under the mechanism. You should notice a spot on the horn and a place on the underside of the mechanism and the spring is between those two points. Just for fun, I'd like you to play a cylinder with the horn unconnected to the reproducer. If it doesn't bog down, oil the neck of the reproducer and suspend the horn properly and see what you get.

Jerry Blais

[Edisonh19]

Thanks Jerry, I'll check it out. I already noticed something that isn't correct. The horn is actually screwed down (loosely) to the bottom of the case. From all the photos I've seen, it appears that there should be some sort of rod there that the horn pivots on, not a screw. I'm relatively certain that the spring is not present either. I'll check that once I get moving around. (I hate Sunday mornings).

[Jerry B.]

Yes, there should be a little threaded rod that sticks out from the opening of the horn at the bottom of the bell. The rod should go through a little "L" shaped piece of metal with a nut on the end of the rod. This guide keeps the horn in the proper general location and it's really a sloppy fit. When playing those horns move around a bit.

Jerry Blais

[Jerry B.]

Another location where this series of Amberola can pick up unwanted friction is the little keeper that twists in and out slightly at the end of the mandrel. By your description, I doubt if this is the problem but if the keeper is too tight against the mandrel, it creates a problem. PLEASE NOTE...NEVER remove the mandrel unless the main spring is completely unwound. With this model of Edison you can control the governor but it will not control the instant release of the spring. I confess that I learned this the hard way with with devastating results. When you remove the keeper you'll see that the mandrel spins on a rod and the rod should be lubricated. Jerry Blais

[startgroove]

In addition to Jerry's recommendations, you should also check to see if the fit of the reproducer neck into the horn end is loose enough. Some of the reproducers I've seen on that series of phonographs had a pot metal neck which tended to swell and tighten up in the horn end. If that is the case, some sandpaper or a fine file will remove enough material to loosen up the fit. Russie

[Edisonh19]

Great! Thanks guys. I'm working on clearing my work space (it's covered with a small score of NOS Diamond Discs that I was cleaning up (dusty edges)! Is there a suitable replacement for that missing threaded rod for the base of the horn? It's definitely missing, as there is merely a screw in its place, attaching the horn loosely to the bottom of the cabinet. Any of you that own one of these, could you post a close-up photo of these parts?

[Edisonh19]

Oooh, also, what is the spring like that holds the horn? It is missing.

[flashpanblue]

Hello,
You really need to post a picture of your horn. Not all Amberola 30 horns had the threaded extension piece. Some had a hole drilled through the bottom with a washer fixed over the hole ( see picture). There was a small post screwed to the wooden bottom of the case that the horn hole slips over.If you are missing the support spring for the horn the carriage will bind half way along every time. You can find a replacement spring at your local hardware store. Find a small diameter flexible spring about two inches long ( if it is longer you can cut it down). If the spring is too tight you can stretch it out a bit until it fits nice.
Pete

[Edisonh19]

Thanks for the photo. That's the horn this machine has. I was able to rig something up to replace the missing threaded rod that keeps the horn centered. Also picked up a spring at the hardware store and got the machine working properly. Thanks again guys! Another successful repair.