Hw to remove mainspring from VV-IV barrel

[jboger]

The barrel is out of the motor frame. I now need to remove the barrel lid. It seems to be held in place by a retaining ring. I would expect a split ring, but it doesn't seem to be that, although I could be wrong. I've looked but don't see a split.

Before I continue I'd like to know if I'm correct. Did Victor use a solid retaining ring on some of its models? If so, how do I get it out? Here's a picture:

[JerryVan]

It's a split ring. Clean it up better and the split should appear. I think maybe I see it at the 1 O'clock position.

[jboger]

Yep, Jerry, but not there. I cleaned it up some more. I put some brake cleaning fluid on it--really did the job. It was hard to see but I finally found the split. The mainspring is back in, all cleaned up. It's a messy job. Previously, the mainspring would go Ka-BOING!!! as the machine wound down. Enough to scare the you-know-what out of you. Anyway, seems OK now, but I need to run it some more. And I need to adjust the governor end shake.

A word about the VV-IV. I know they're very common, but if one were primarily a record collector and wanted to play the old 78s now and then, well, I think Victor's VV-IV is a nice, handsome, compact little machine. You can't go wrong.

John

[JerryVan]

Looks like you've done a great job.