My first HMV 102! Spring thumping.

[JerryVan]

Am I right in thinking this is just regular 16 gauge copper wire? It doesn't look like anything special, and can be reshaped by hand.

Most likely copper plated steel. Does a magnet stick to it?

[Inigo]

It must be spring steel. And no need to trim it; it should be installed back in place with no modifications, unless the border of the barrel, that concave lip that holds the wire circlip in place, is damaged. The clip is sometimes hard to fit in place, but it must be done, as it was there before dismantling the barrel...

[JerryVan]

It must be spring steel. And no need to trim it; it should be installed back in place with no modifications, unless the border of the barrel, that concave lip that holds the wire circlip in place, is damaged. The clip is sometimes hard to fit in place, but it must be done, as it was there before dismantling the barrel...

I agree.

The clip is such a tight fit, that any little bit of dirt or burr in the retaining groove will be enough to keep it from seating in place. Did you bend/distort the clip by trying to install it? I'll admit, I have trimmed off a tiny bit, (1/64" or less), of the clip end at times to make it snap into place.

[EdgarFB]

I’ve managed to get my hands on a new clip!… and even more excitingly I’ve actually managed to get it in place with no filing at all (but quite a lot of swearing)

Just on the last stages of putting it all back together now, but initial tests suggest the motor is now purring away very quietly.

On the turntable felt- still got the faded one on but it’s very loosely bonded, so if I do keep it I’ll still need to peel it off and re glue. I’ve got an identical original felt on the way though, (same darker brown) so I’m likely to use that. I used to restore classic cars and we’d certainly lay not hesitate to use a better original part if one came up to improve the vehicle. Otherwise you’re just wasting the good part.

I think I agree on repro though, it’s not worth swapping this one out for a fake, save that for the real wrecks.

[EdgarFB]

Well that seems to have done the trick! No sound at all from the motor or spring now except a gentle whir. Also for some reason removing and reseating the 5B has eliminated the high end buzz I was getting.
Can't fault the sound now!

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

[Inigo]

These machines are a marvel. I also own a big Columbia portable 113a, and compare them two frequently. The sound of the 113a seems louder and with more mid bass, but the quality and balance in the 102 is better, with more clear crisp treble, less booming mid bass section, and a better natural overall balance. Maybe it's only a matter of personal taste, as all the elements are in there: the aluminium diaphragm, the pivoted needle bar, the exponential horn, the lid continuing the horn... except one; the hmv 5b soundbox has two more refinements which are the intermediate spider in the diaphragm and the phase plug at the soundbox neck. I suspect these two elements, together with a slightly different horn dimensions make all the difference.
Hurrah for the 102, that small giant little magnificent marvel!
I've only listened to another machine with such a good sound, the Decca 120/130 that can be seen in videos like these,
https://youtu.be/B8hIowUNEhc?si=ZwzpnV3wDIXyxB8K

[An Balores]

Well done on sorting it out - and that Jelly Roll Morton does sound good!