Quick Question- Victor III

[Shane]

I have a Victor III outside horn machine I'm about to begin restoring. The platter is corroded onto the spindle. I just want to make sure... this platter slides on and off like a "regular" Victor platter, correct? I just want to make sure before I start tapping on the spindle with a hammer, only to find the spindle unscrews or something like that. Thanks!

[phonogfp]

Yep - - works the same way as the others.

George P.

[Shane]

Thanks! I just wanted to make sure, as this thing looks corroded enough to where I may need to "wail away" on it.

[JohnM]

I would not encorage you to "wail away" on it. I actually considered posting when I read your first question, and I am compelled to do so now.

There are a couple of other ways to approach this. Hammering on the spindle will easily break the cast-iron spindle shaft support arbor. If you must use a hammer, I would suggest a smaller brass hammer, and lightly tapping -- not 'hammering' -- on the turntable only, working in circles within an inch of the spindle. This will create vibration which will eventually break the bond between the two metal parts and release the turntable. You don't have to tap hard, just a lot. Vibration is a very powerful tool -- you can actually get stuck, corroded bolts to back out of holes just by tapping on them enough!

If the felt is missing or needs to be replaced, it would be best if you were tapping on the bare metal. With no felt, you can also soak the spindle/turntable juncture overnight with Kroil, which is THE best penetrating oil.

The second method also involves not having felt on the turntable and that would be heating the turntable around the spindle with a propane torch, then lightly tapping until it releases. Felt and Kroil are not good in this method for obvious reasons.

Whatever you do, don't break that spindle-shaft support arbor!

[Shane]

Thanks for the advice... I'll see what I can do to be gentle with it.

Actually, I had one spindle a few years ago that was SO badly lodged that I took the motor apart, heated the brass gear in order to remove it, and removed the turntable along with the stuck spindle and gear. Absolutely nothing could move it, so I finally got frustrated and took a sledge hammer to the spindle at full force. It moved, and was soon out out the turntable. Amazingly, no damage was done.

[SonnyPhono]

Great! Now I am having the same problem with my Vic III turntable. It is rusted on the spindle and is really bad. I have tried WD-40 with several light sprays on and around the spindle and turntable collar. I have tried the hammer technique, gently tapping around the spindle in a circular motion with no hope at all.

I have started to attempt to remove the entire spindle from the motor but am having trouble doing that. It won't come loose and I don't know what to do at this point. I just ordered the Kroil that has been mentioned and I am hoping that will work as a last resort. I am fixing this for someone and told them I would be able to have it back to a nice, clean and running Vic III in no time. Whoops! I haven't heated up the brass collar on the spindle yet. So maybe that will work. Any other suggestions?

Also, I need a knurled thumbscrew for my back bracket. One of the two is missing. Does anyone have one they would sell or let me know where I could find one? Aside from that, I have the crank on the way, the cabinet is cleaned and looks good with original finish, the two replacement columns are on the way and I replaced the Exhibition reproducer today for free. I received a call from an antique shop in my hometown here and was told there were two Victrolas just in if I wanted to take a look. So I went to see them and was horrified at the condition of the VV-X and VV-XI that were sitting in front of me. They were totally past being salvaged. The worst two specimens I have seen by means of a phonograph since I have collected. I asked what he wanted for them as he had called me to take a look for the purposes of helping to assess the value. He said they were mine if I wanted them free of charge. So I removed what hardware was salvageable including the motors, tonearms, two clean Exhibition reproducers and about 75 records. So that was a real treat.

Any way, sorry that became so long winded. If you have, or know someone who has a knurled thumbscrew for the back bracket, please let me know.

Thanks for the help as always!

[Shane]

Hey, that's a great find with those parts machines! I've made some really good scores where people have given me trashed machines, or sold them to me really cheap... because, let's face it... it's only people like us who would have any use for a messed up non-functioning machine.

As far as the stuck spindle goes, it looks like you've exhausted all the "gentle" methods. I'd get a bit more aggressive. I would have someone hold the machine a few inches off the ground with both hands underneath the platter, while you tap on the spindle with a hammer. Tapping *around* the spindle will only loosen up slightly stuck platters, and it looks like you have a worse situation here.

For the screw you seek, I'd try a phonograph supply place. I've had good luck dealing with Wyatt's Musical Americana, or perhaps croakinfrog, a phono parts dealer on ebay who has helped me out in the past.