HMV 511, the machine that made me break my promise

[nostalgia]

Hi Curt, I appreciate much all suggestions, thanks a lot.
I however think trying this, may prove itself to challengint, at least the big lid has to be removed ( been there done that already, since the cabinet was too tall for my car, it is however now re installed. The lid is very heavy and it was quite challenging in itself to re install), and the rest of the cabinet would have to be put in a certain angled position, so it can be possible to enter the screws through the motorboard. It could maybe be done, but I also fear scratching the edges of the cabinet etc. But, this was maybe how they did it maybe even before covering the cabinet with varnish etc..who knows.

I have come up today with a solution I will try tomorrow, with the help of my son: I will put strong fishing line through two holes in the cabinet, gently holding the motor as close as possible to the the correct position and then allow the fishing line to go through the two holes using a big needle from the downside of the motorboard. I will then ask my son to hold these two the fishing tightly over the motor, and this way also hold the weight of the motor, while I will then install the two screws from the top and nuts on the downside, on the last two holes that are free from fishing lines. When the these two screws and nuts are secured, the fishing lines can be removed before securing the last two screws and nuts.

[nostalgia]

Motor is installed The wires used were torn apart during the installation, and the solution eventually was to put a cardboard box into the "back office" that my hand could rest on while I lifted the motor up, and my son inserted the first two screws and nuts, from there it was no problem to attach the last two screws and nuts.

I threw out a cupboard used for records from my sitting room, my son gently gave up his bed and we put the cupboard in his room. I all fairness he has not slept in this bed for a year and we kept the mattress, it is easier to store a mattress agains the wall, than a big bed that takes far more space.


I felt the 511 deserved a corner, I first tested it against a flat wall, but it did not look too good in my small sitting room. This looks far better, and I even can store a horn gramophone next to it. It will very likely receive a carpet under it soon too, and a stand with an old lamp that I already have, that can throw some light on the machine.

The record pictured was the first record played, and it plays and runs excellently, and quiet with no noise from the motor. The springs looked very good, as did the rest of the motor too. Mission accomplished.

[Curt A]

Glad you got it sorted... (I always wanted to use that British phrase) all of this has made me a bit peckish...

[AZ*]

Congratulations. I am glad your 511 is working well. The absence of a separate, easily removable motorboard in the early 511's makes servicing the motor a bit fiddly. But you made it work!

[poodling around]

Glad you got it sorted... (I always wanted to use that British phrase) all of this has made me a bit peckish...

Ha ha !

If you really want to sound 'authentic', then after saying "Glad you got it sorted' you could add one of the following words:

Governor / Squire / My Old China / Old Bean / Mate / Gents

So, for example: "Glad you got it sorted, Squire" .....................

[nostalgia]

Thank you for the greetings.
Now the lady sings again..as she is supposed to do......