HELP NEEDED: EDISON OPERA

[phonogfp]

It's .022" and if you PM me your address, I'll send you a piece.

George P.

[downsouth]

Thanks George, if I can't find anything suitable here, I'll take you up on your offer!

Regards, Wes

[downsouth]

Ok guys, I've replaced the tension wire on the flywheel and the machine still can't seem to maintain a constant speed. There's a set screw on the flywheel that when adjusted seems to change the speed. Should this screw be tightened or left slightly loose?

Regards, Wes

[FellowCollector]

There's a set screw on the flywheel that when adjusted seems to change the speed. Should this screw be tightened or left slightly loose?

Wes,

Recalling from memory of working on my Operas that each had an annoying flutter as opposed to yours having uneven speed, the Opera motor flywheel has a slightly elongated hole to allow the flywheel to "float" a bit on the shaft using the screw you mention. There should be a factory indentation on the shaft to seat that flywheel screw, again, as I recall. The flywheel screw should be tight on the shaft and you should be able to feel some slight "play" of the flywheel on the shaft once you tighten the screw.

I've worked on so many of my different phonograph mechanisms over the years in an effort to achieve perfection in playback and sound that my recollection above may be for a different phonograph. So please accept my apologies if you find inaccuracies in what I've stated.

One aspect I am absolutely sure of is that the Opera flywheel balance wire that I am using - and that completely removed the flutter (not uneven speed) on my Edison Operas as well as my Amberola 1B was suggested by Bob Barnett. That is an Ernie Ball "Custom Gauge 18P Electric or Acoustic Guitar String" sold at your local 'GUITAR CENTER' shop. Just walk in the store and ask for it. Cut it to precise length, insert it through the flywheel hole and shaft on both sides so that the Opera flywheel retainer ring can seat properly in its groove on the flywheel and try it. Again, that remedy was for flutter issues and cured it immediately on all of my phonographs with the Opera motor.

All of this stated, however, I feel that your uneven speed problem may be caused by the governor on your Opera.

If the governor has never been removed and the parts thoroughly cleaned then the action of the friction disc may not be functioning perfectly and this will cause exactly what you are describing - uneven speed.

You indicate that the governor appears to be running at a constant speed but I can tell you from many years of experience that I have had this exact same issue on many Edison phonographs that had uneven speed WITH a governor that appeared to run perfectly. When I removed the governor and all of its parts were cleaned and reinstalled, the speed was absolutely perfect. Again, I'm a stickler about trying to achieve perfection in playback and sound from my phonographs and thoroughly disassembling, cleaning and reinstalling the governor makes a world of difference.

Hope this helps in some way.

Doug

[downsouth]

Thanks for your input Doug. I actually found a thread you started on this same problem last year with your Opera and read it thoroughly. I have tried several thicknesses of wire from .024-.018 and have found that the thicker wire seemed to have a better effect on controlling the flutter, but it hasnt ended the problem. AND let me say that the problem I am having is not speed fluctuations, but a flutter problem similar to your problem a year ago. Could you send me a photo of the set screw that retains the flywheel on the shaft? I think the one on mine might be incorrect. Also, should there be any lateral movement or looseness of the flywheel on the shaft? Thank you for your help concerning this issue.

Regards, Wes

[barnettrp21122]

Wes
Here's a closeup of the flywheel set screw. The flywheel is loose on the shaft; the recessed screw head just holds it in place, allowing side-to-side action.
Hope this helps.
Bob

[downsouth]

Thanks Bob, the otherside if the flywheel where the tension wire is has a screw also. Could I see that side of yours as well?

Regards, Wes

[FellowCollector]

Wes, I don't recall the Opera flywheel having two set screws. Just the one with the elongated hole to allow some "play" during rotation of the shaft. In conjunction with the flywheel "play" and the proper balance wire the effect is to provide perfectly smooth play for the Opera motor.

Please do yourself a favor and try the Ernie Ball guitar string (which is actually spring wire) that Bob Barnett and I use successfully for perfect playback on our Operas. It's only a couple of dollars and worth every penny. It's available at any "Guitar Center" store. I had thought getting my Operas and Amberola 1B playing without flutter would be almost impossible until I tried the Ernie Ball string.

If it doesn't work you're only out a couple of dollars.

Doug

[downsouth]

Here's a photo of the opposite side of the flywheel on my Opera showing the set screw that is in question.

Wes

[barnettrp21122]

Wes:
Yes, there's another identical set screw on the other side of the flywheel.
Gosh, yes! That's really wrong !
Get the right screw type, and try a thinner wire!