Edison Standard High Spot on All Cylinders

[danohallaron]

I just picked up a wonderful Standard, which is the 9th Edison in my growing collection. Beautiful original condition, with a cygnet and Diamond B. It clearly had not run in some time but I have it playing nicely. Except, there is a high spot on the cylinders/mandrel and applies to all cylinders that I have tried. When the reproducer is resting with a cylinder in place and motor running, you can see and hear the needle hitting at a high spot on the cylinder.

I am getting pretty good at putting these machines back in shape, but am a little confused on this. The belt is old, and was not shaved at the joint, so there is a bit of a lump as it goes around. But the high spot is at least 2x the revolution of the belt, so I don't believe that's what is going on. I am wondering if I am dealing with a bad bearing or bent shaft. I have used the roller bearings on the mandrel shaft before, with good outcome and I may go down that road. Seems like the gated machines don't have this issue but the open ones tend to.

Any thoughts??

[FellowCollector]

Edison Standard models C through F (as well as other Edison C-F models) have a pressed on mandrel as you may know. The condition you're describing suggests that the mandrel is simply not completely pressed onto the mandrel shaft sufficiently and sometimes results in irregular mandrel rotation. This can happen anytime the mandrel is removed from the mandrel shaft. I have replaced at least 25 pot metal mandrel shaft bearings on Edison Standard, Home and Triumph models C through F over many years of repairing my own phonographs and have found that the mandrel can and will rotate off center if not pressed onto the mandrel shaft completely and correctly. Once pressed on the shaft completely the mandrel SHOULD rotate true or nearly true. It is unlikely that the problem is the mandrel shaft or the mandrel shaft bearing but it's worth examining both. Although not related, I would highly suggest remaking that leather belt so that the splice is nearly seamless. I'm a stickler on making leather belts for my phonographs and if I see even the slightest ripple on running the belt I fix it so that the ripple is removed. Wyatt's belt material is the best for any phonograph belting IMHO. Good luck.

[danohallaron]

Thanks Doug.

I'll take a good look at the mandrel to be sure it is on the shaft correctly, per your suggestion. I just travelled to buy this machine, last week. Not sure of the model, but it is a Standard with a cygnet. The fella I bought it from told me that he even made that belt, many years ago. Yes, the one that is still on that goes thumpety thump, due to just glueing it on top of the other end. That is next on my list for this machine. It's actually running very well. Gotta stop buying standards though lol. Appreciate your input. Dan

[danohallaron]

The condition you're describing suggests that the mandrel is simply not completely pressed onto the mandrel shaft sufficiently and sometimes results in irregular mandrel rotation.

So, on the open ended mandrels, is the shaft supposed to be pressed flush with the open end of the mandrel or is there supposed to be a small bit of shaft remaining beyond the mandrel??
I look at all of these standards that I have around here and they are all the way from flush to ½ inch out.