Stripped Grafonola Spring Barrel Screws

[Dave D]

I am working on a Columbia floor model that has had a hard life. A previous repairer has stripped out some of the short spring barrel screws. Does anyone know of a good repair? I am considered drilling them out and tapping them one size up. I believe they are now 3-48 and I was considering 4-40.

Has anyone else run into this before? I really hate this style of motor with those dog eared tabs and those darn screws.

Of course, I am looking for a tone arm elbow for it too. This is has been in the same family since it was new and I want to do a nice job for theses people.
Dave D

[CDBPDX]

Might be easier to just get some replacement screws or spring barrels. They are not hard to find and they would be original.

[Curt A]

If the spring barrels are in otherwise good condition... and you don't want to bother locating and purchasing replacements, I would go with your idea of retapping the holes and replacing the screws with appropriate slotted types. Seriously, is anyone going to know the difference? If you do this, make sure you retap all of the holes and replace all of the screws... Just my opinion....

[donniej]

Columbia's are pretty mediocre machines, in my opinion. In the factory they would tap them into place with a hammer and then run them in with a screwdriver. This leaves the holes stretched, removing the screws probably doesn't help the very-fine threads.
Luckily the fix is simple. Take one of your screws and hold the threaded part with a tiny pair of needle nose pliers. Sit one end (the head or shaft) on top of an anvil and gently give the other end a few taps with a hammer. This will mushroom out the screw. After a few taps, try screwing it back in, just finger tight. Give it a few more taps on the anvil as needed.

Then go out and buy an Edison or Victor

[Curt A]

Good idea, Donnie...

[Phonofreak]

Are you for real? I have worked on and restored Columbia machines. I never hear of a company tapping screws with a hammer and finishing off with a screw driver. I would remove the screws by unscrewing them, not tapping then out on an anvil. You'll ruin the tabs and threads. After the screws are carefully removed, I would re-thread the holes, if needed.. I can't remember if it is a 3-48 or a 4-40. These taps and screws are available at any good hardware store. After you restore your Columbia, it will sound and operate as good as any Victor, Edison, or any other machine.
Harvey Kravitz

Columbia's are pretty mediocre machines, in my opinion. In the factory they would tap them into place with a hammer and then run them in with a screwdriver. This leaves the holes stretched, removing the screws probably doesn't help the very-fine threads.
Luckily the fix is simple. Take one of your screws and hold the threaded part with a tiny pair of needle nose pliers. Sit one end (the head or shaft) on top of an anvil and gently give the other end a few taps with a hammer. This will mushroom out the screw. After a few taps, try screwing it back in, just finger tight. Give it a few more taps on the anvil as needed.

Then go out and buy an Edison or Victor

[Dave D]

I was ordering some mainsprings from Ron Sitko and asked him about this. He said the screw is 4-40 and that new screws usually will solve the problem. He said they usually get stripped, not the tapped holes.

I have run into this many times with Columbia machines and usually had some junker spring barrels around and solved the problem. I am out of those, so some new screws are on the way from Ron.

Dave D

[Henry]

4-40 is a fairly common thread. You might find them at the hardware store or model railroad hobby shop. This goes for other small sizes: 3-28, 2-56, 1-72, 0-80, 00-90.

[JerryVan]

Dave,

If new screws don't get it done, your idea of going to the next bigger size is a good one. If you need to re-tap, and the originals were 4-40, then go with 5-40.