brake pads?

Share your phonograph repair & restoration techniques here
Post Reply
justin ball
Victor Jr
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 5:50 am

brake pads?

Post by justin ball »

I have an unknown 1920 ish disk player. There is a brake on the left. It cams over by way of a lever to place a steel pad on the external edge of the turntable. It hisses a lot when actuated. Should it have some sort of friction material as a brake pad, like rubber, or leather or felt?

User avatar
barnettrp21122
Victor IV
Posts: 1610
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:19 pm
Personal Text: "Did you ever stop to think that pleasure is a duty?" (Victor sales pamphlet)

Re: brake pads?

Post by barnettrp21122 »

All brake assemblies I've seen use a small round "bullet" made of leather, usually held in place by a pair of metal tongues. Phonograph parts dealers sell replacements, but a bit of leather cut from a tongue of an old shoe will work, though it's not very pretty. A short narrow length, folded rough side out and pressed between the tongues and tightened carefully with a pliers will likely work. The tongues can easily break or become deformed, so use gentle force with these.
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt

His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo

jboger
Victor IV
Posts: 1214
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:12 pm

Re: brake pads?

Post by jboger »

Mechanical clocks that have hammer to strike a gong or bell also use a round sleeve of leather. You can buy this from a clock parts supplier for far less than what you pay elsewhere.

Try this, not an endorsement of this particularly supplier, just one that I quickly found: http://timesavers.com/i-8948012-leather ... -x-12.html

Checked this site again. There are other diameters: http://timesavers.com/search.html?q=leather

justin ball
Victor Jr
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 5:50 am

Re: brake pads?

Post by justin ball »

Actually, I've just found that a hole punch ¼" inch, and a postage stamp of belt leather with a rough side and a dab of PVA glue suffices. 4 minutes. basically free.

Phonofreak
Victor VI
Posts: 3720
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:00 pm
Location: Western, WA State

Re: brake pads?

Post by Phonofreak »

I use a piece of sewing machine belt. It is the right diameter for most brakes. On some machines, you might have to trim to fit. You can buy sewing machine belt at any good sewing store. A belt will last a lifetime.
Harvey Kravitz

User avatar
Henry
Victor V
Posts: 2624
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Re: brake pads?

Post by Henry »

Leather boot laces are another source.

Post Reply