The HMV130 and the Noob :)

[MarieP]

Hi Carlos,

This could be another interesting option indeed! I already enquired about the price of springs , but I will definitely keept this in mind.
However, I'm not so certain it's broken in the end, because I managed to make it run without sound with just spraying some WD-40 just about, well, everywhere?
(see video in attachment) So I'm wondering if it was just some mechanisms that were seized and if, in fact, I have a running tool here ?

- apologies if I say stupid things but I really don't know much about these things and it's really a first time for me

Looks like it is working! Try to wind it up giving it some turns until you feel a resisting force, and put it to run to check if it runs smoothly. It should run smoothly for the duration of a record, about 4 minutes at least.

I gave it some turns but didn't feel a resisting force, so I believe I could turn it some more, but it runned smoothly for almost 2 min straight.
It makes a little sound like a ticking clock but I believe this is normal?

[Curt A]

It takes quite a number of turns with the crank to fully wind the motor. Keep winding until you eventually feel a strong resistance - you are not going to break it (unless you keep winding after you cannot easily turn the crank without effort).

The WD-40 helped by loosening the 100+ year old grease that hardens with time. Wind the motor and let it rub a few times, it should be able to play a record all the way through.

[MarieP]

It takes quite a number of turns with the crank to fully wind the motor. Keep winding until you eventually feel a strong resistance - you are not going to break it (unless you keep winding after you cannot easily turn the crank without effort).

The WD-40 helped by loosening the 100+ year old grease that hardens with time. Wind the motor and let it rub a few times, it should be able to play a record all the way through.

It lasted about 2:11 minutes when I cranked until I felt some kind of slow resistence. Thus I believe it will be able to go well if I try a record.
Tried a second time and it lasted about 2:00 (but I let the motor go really fast this time, it was almost like it was the motor of a (very small) moterbike hearing the sound
However, somewhere in that time, the barrel with springs like hiccuped and went back before taking back its normal rotation.Maybe the strings are not broke but in their last run?

[epigramophone]

The graphited grease used in HMV motors dries out and hardens over time. Lumps get in between the coils of the springs, resulting in the bumping during play. If the springs are not removed, cleaned and re-greased, a breakage is likely to happen sooner or later.

It should be possible to buy a good No.32 motor for less that the cost of two new springs, but you need to know which machine the motor came from. Many HMV machines used this motor in conjunction with the Automatic Speed Indicator, which is not compatible with the manual speed control on the 130.

[MarieP]

The graphited grease used in HMV motors dries out and hardens over time. Lumps get in between the coils of the springs, resulting in the bumping during play. If the springs are not removed, cleaned and re-greased, a breakage is likely to happen sooner or later.

It should be possible to buy a good No.32 motor for less that the cost of two new springs, but you need to know which machine the motor came from. Many HMV machines used this motor in conjunction with the Automatic Speed Indicator, which is not compatible with the manual speed control on the 130.

I will need additionnal tools I don't have at my disposal at the moment to open the motor and clean the springs.
I will take a look at it soon when I have the tools available but in the meantime I will try to play a record 'as is' to test if it works, and hope it will not break!

What do you mean with which machine the motor came from? it was in a HMV130 box so I guess HMV130?
Unless someone had fun previously putting another motor in it, but alas, I don't have any history of the this machine because it came from a flee market.

[epigramophone]

You misunderstand me. It is any replacement motor you may consider buying which needs to be checked for compatibility.

[MarieP]

You misunderstand me. It is any replacement motor you may consider buying which needs to be checked for compatibility.

seems more logical indeed

[MarieP]

I decided to give it a try and reassembled the mechanism and put it back in the box.
Gave a few cranks and the disk platform started turning nicely, and... music came out! success!
However, the needle needs to be placed very carefully otherwise it scratches and stops the tune.
My guess is either the needle head is too heavy (is that even possible)? either its the wrong needle (but which one should I use)?
Any ideas how I can get this little problem solved?

Many, many thanks in advance!

[JerryVan]

However, the needle needs to be placed very carefully otherwise it scratches and stops the tune.
My guess is either the needle head is too heavy (is that even possible)? either its the wrong needle (but which one should I use)?
Any ideas how I can get this little problem solved?

Many, many thanks in advance!

In one of your photos, you show the needle positioned perfectly vertical. You also depict the reproducer/needle sitting to the left of the turntable spindle. Both are incorrect, (and for some odd reason a very common error seen these days).

The reproducer/tonearm/needle must be positioned to the right of the spindle. The reproducer/needle also must adjusted such that the needle sits at roughly a 30 degree angle from vertical and pointing "forward", in the direction of rotation.

Have you removed the reproducer from the tonearm? If you have, you will see a "J" shaped slot in the tonearm end. You will also see a locator pin inside the reproducer throat. When placing the reproducer on the arm, the pin is aligned with and slides into the J slot. Once the reproducer pin slides into the J slot as far as it will go, the repoducer is then rotated so that the pin follows the bottom of the J. Once the pin hits the end of the J slot, the proper angle will be achieved.

Also, use the needle only once. Replace it with every play.

[Curt A]

Another point to consider - your machine is designed to play acoustically recorded "shellac" records made approx. before 1930. After that time frame records were still 78s, but began to be electrically recorded on softer plastic formula blanks that are made for lighter electronic reproducers. Records from the mid 30s, 40s and 50s will not play well with steel needles...