Edison Standard A slows

[Bben486]

Hello Everyone,
Very new to these machines but I have a Edison Standard Model A that slows at about the last ¼ of the cylinder. Is this a belt issue, bearing issue, weak spring or all the above.
Thanks for the help!

[Jerry B.]

I would give it a good winding and start a cylinder. Let it play through half the record and without winding start it over at the beginning. If it plays through half the cylinder repeat this process. If this is successful it's not an issue with the spring.

There are many threads here on the Forum that make suggestions for basic initial servicing such as oiling the ends of the governor and governor pads plus other oiling points.

The half nut is where the carriage comes into contact with the feed screw to move the carriage across the record. There could be an issue there. If there's too much pressure the machine will bog down. With too little pressure the carriage will not move and the record will skip.

Please report back.

Jerry B.

[FellowCollector]

I have a Edison Standard Model A that slows at about the last ¼ of the cylinder.

Along with Jerry's good suggestions, I would add the following:

1. Assure the phonograph is wound up sufficiently to play at least one cylinder. The main spring should be wound sufficiently that you feel some good tension on the crank.
2. Assure the entire length of feed screw threads are clean and free of corrosion. The half nut (driving the carriage using the feed screw threads) MUST be able to travel from one end to the other easily.
3. Assure that the grooves on your cylinder are in good playing condition.
4. The leather belt MUST NOT be too tight between the drive and driven pulleys. Too tight and the motor will bog down. Too loose and the belt may slip, etc.
5. Half nut tension on the feed screw must be just right. Too much and it will bog down. Too little and the half nut (and therefore, the carriage) will stop traveling.

Doug

[JerryVan]

All excellent points above^

Also, look at the motor. There should be an idler wheel that rides on the belt to keep its tension consistent. Almost always, that little brass idler wheel no longer spins as it should due to old, dried oil "gluing" it tight. With some penetrating oil, (NOT 3-in-1 oil), some gentle budging, and maybe a small amount of heat, (like a BIC lighter). it should free up.

[Bben486]

Thank you all for the help!
I have a new belt on the way as the one that was on originally was in rough shape. I've done some oiling, machine has very little grease/oil build up. Half nut seems to be adjusted correctly, I believe after looking it over more