Problem with speed regulation on a Gem??? Problem Solved!!!

[Jerry B.]

I've been fussing with a little Model D Gem and I'm really close. The spring has plenty of power to play a four minute cylinder. I believe the half nut is adjusted properly. The problem is speed adjustment. Once I get it dialed in it plays for a brief time before it slows or speeds. A minute adjustment in the on-off/speed control makes a gross change in speed. I've oiled the ends of the governor shaft, the shaft itself, and the felt pads. Is it possible that the governor springs are too stiff? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Are governor weights and springs different from one Edison model to another? (I should know this stuff! )

Thanks, Jerry Blais

[gramophone-georg]

I'm no Gem expert, or even cylinder player expert, but I can tell you that every single time I've ever run into uneven speed such as you describe it's been a governor issue.

If I had to hazard a guess I'd say the governor springs have unequal tension. A good test is the "knuckle test". With the governor spinning approach it with your knuckle slowly. If one weight starts whapping your knuckle before the others you need springs. Sometimes they are so far out you can see it.

I have noticed that Edison machines seem to like just a barely perceptible amount of end play on the governor shaft, too.

[phonojim]

Something you can try, since this is an open spring motor, is to drip oil in between the spring coils. With the spring fully unwound, use a pump type oil can to put a few drops between each layer you can get to. The oil will distribute itself as the spring is wound and unwound which will soften the old grease thus allowing the coils to slide over each other. I recently did this on a Standard X2 which had the same problem you describe and the motor now runs strong and regulates as it should.

Hope this helps,

Jim

[Jerry B.]

Problem solved! Upon inspecting the governor I found that the set screw was missing on the governor shaft. If things were clean and oiled the loss of the set screw would allow the governor shaft to spin independently of the governor weights and the result would cause the spring to unwind very quickly. Fortunately there was enough old sticky oil to prevent this from happening. The Gem did not regulate properly because the governor weights and springs were moving slightly on the shaft while the machine was playing. Thanks George and Jim for your suggestions.

Jerry Blais

[gramophone-georg]

See? It wasa governor issue- just not one we were expecting! Glad you got it straightened out. It's a good feeling!