Shop recommendations for full servicing of HMV 101

[shawnxu]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a reliable shop to do a fully servicing of my later model HMV 101 circa 1931. Do you guys have any recommendations for reputable shops that provide this service?

I am actually living in Singapore where the gramophone scene is almost literally non-existent so I was thinking of just biting the bullet and shipping the motor and soundbox overseas for servicing since it's been about 10 years since I brought it over here from the UK.

There's nothing really wrong with my machine in particular (at least not to the extent that it can't play). It plays fine though I notice it takes a whole lot of extra winds than before to fully wind it up. I tried servicing it myself a few years back i.e., re-greasing the main spring and components but I think I might have mucked it up haha. But ya, basically I would like to do a full servicing to make sure it runs as it should for the foreseeable future.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Regards,
Shawn

[poodling around]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a reliable shop to do a fully servicing of my later model HMV 101 circa 1931. Do you guys have any recommendations for reputable shops that provide this service?

I am actually living in Singapore where the gramophone scene is almost literally non-existent so I was thinking of just biting the bullet and shipping the motor and soundbox overseas for servicing since it's been about 10 years since I brought it over here from the UK.

There's nothing really wrong with my machine in particular (at least not to the extent that it can't play). It plays fine though I notice it takes a whole lot of extra winds than before to fully wind it up. I tried servicing it myself a few years back i.e., re-greasing the main spring and components but I think I might have mucked it up haha. But ya, basically I would like to do a full servicing to make sure it runs as it should for the foreseeable future.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Regards,
Shawn

Hi there !

Please bear in mind that I may be completely wrong about this.

What I am thinking is that maybe the spring takes extra winds because the grease is becoming more evenly distributed and the spring is not sticking to it-self so much. So this could actually be a good thing.

Like I say, I could be wrong. I would be interested if some-one else could comment on this theory.

[Phono48]

Hi there !

Please bear in mind that I may be completely wrong about this.

What I am thinking is that maybe the spring takes extra winds because the grease is becoming more evenly distributed and the spring is not sticking to it-self so much. So this could actually be a good thing.

Like I say, I could be wrong. I would be interested if some-one else could comment on this theory.

Your theory makes perfect sense to me! I have never come across a spring that needs more winding after a time lapse.

Barry

[poodling around]

Hi there !

Please bear in mind that I may be completely wrong about this.

What I am thinking is that maybe the spring takes extra winds because the grease is becoming more evenly distributed and the spring is not sticking to it-self so much. So this could actually be a good thing.

Like I say, I could be wrong. I would be interested if some-one else could comment on this theory.

Your theory makes perfect sense to me! I have never come across a spring that needs more winding after a time lapse.

Barry

Fantastic ! I will give my-self a pat on the back and another glass of wine then !

Thanks very much Barry.

[shawnxu]

Ah I see! Thanks for the input.

Anyways, I'd still like to do a full servicing just to make sure everything is in order. If something isn't right, last thing I'd want is to keep playing it and risking a bigger problem in the future.

Any recommendations for a reputable shop?

Thank you!

[shawnxu]

Any shop recommendations guys?

[Inigo]

I would say that for these hmv machines most of us do our own repair/overhauling/maintenance, so that may be the explanation why nobody answered. An address to ship motor and soundbox for examination and overhauling, from Singapore to uk or USA... especially if these seem not too need nothing to do... seems a bit risky. Shipping of the motor go and return is going to be very very costly... You'd better try to search locally in any clockwork repair shop or something, or try to locate any kind soul near you to do the work.

[CarlosV]

I am looking for a reliable shop to do a fully servicing of my later model HMV 101 circa 1931. Do you guys have any recommendations for reputable shops that provide this service?

Shawn, given the cost of shipment of a full machine, and the fee that the fixer will charge, my recommendation would be twofold: firstly, if it is working and its only glitch is to need many windings, leave it alone and enjoy it, it will even give an extra workout to your biceps. Secondly, if this characteristic really irks you, then buy a whole new motor and replace the old one. These machines are plentiful to find today, and there are several people in UK eBay always offering parts for HMV 101s and 102s.

[pianolist]

In the Pacific Northwest, Cliff’s Vintage. Music Shop is where we take our machines in Castle Rock, WA.

http://vms.cdbpdx.com/

Here on the forum he goes by CDBPDX

Ron

[shawnxu]

Hi Guys,

Appreciate all the input guys.

I’ll actually be in the US next year (East Coast though) and the UK the following year so wait till then to bring it along with me. Would definitely be lesser risky if I bring it along with me.

For now I’ll just leave it as it is. I think for me it’s just knowing that there could potentially be something wrong with it and it’s making me a bit paranoid to play it before checking with an expert if everything is in order..

Thanks again everyone!