Ww2 waters Conley special services phonograph

[Kwsiebert]

First post. Excited to learn. Long story, but I'll try and keep it brief. Recently purchased a waters Conley ww2 special services phonograph. The tone arm was damaged and the motor would slow to a stop when placing the reproducer on the platter. I purchased another used machine with a good tone arm. I also had the motor checked, cleaned and regreaaed. I was told the springs were strong and good. So after replacing the refreshed motor and tone arm, the motor runs better, but will still slow to a stop when the reproducer is placed on the record. Amy ideas? I feel like I'm missing something.
Thanks for any advice!
Kevin

[travisgreyfox]

Hey Kevin and welcome to the forum. The first thing I would ask is are you playing the correct era records on your machine? The later records were made out a "softer" material and can stop and slow down these old machines. Some pics could help more in determining your problem(s).

-Travis

[Kwsiebert]

I have one of the older style records and it does work a little better with it. The record is not in the best condition. I wanting to find some of the original v- disc.

[OrthoFan]

Is that, by any chance, a Sears "Silvertone" sound box (reproducer) attached to the end of the tonearm? Similar to this one?

Screenshot 2024-10-03 183327.jpg (23.48 KiB) Viewed 861 times

If so, it's incorrect for the machine, as well as the types of records produced during WWII. That style of Silvertone reproducer was used for playing pre-1925 acoustically recorded records.

The post string here -- viewtopic.php?t=53235 -- shows a nice close-up image of the correct style sound box.
Unlike the Silvertone sound box, it was equipped with a more flexible aluminum diaphragm.

OrthoFan

[Kwsiebert]

Yep that is what was on it when i received it. I just purchased this reproducer, below. Maybe that is my whole issue.

[ChesterCheetah18]

You will most definitely will want to resolve the issue before playing any V-Discs on your machine. Except for the ones pressed by Columbia, all V-Discs were pressed on vinyl, not shellac.

Steve

[Kwsiebert]

So what records should I be on the look out for that are not v disc.

The one i have that does seem to work is a Columbia.

[BigC]

I'm not as experienced as most members but I have the same phonograph as you do and had the same parts missing as yours. Funny but my reproducer and tonearm was completely missing and I had a old Silverstone with that same tonearm you put on yours and that same reproducer you are using now. I found that the reproducer has to sit at just the right angle to play well. Once I got that straight it plays loud and any record. That screw on the reproducer can be used to change the angle it sits on. Good luck with your project I hope you get running as they are great playing machines.

[ChesterCheetah18]

So what records should I be on the look out for that are not v disc.

The one i have that does seem to work is a Columbia.

Any record made between 1926-1946 should do fine.

Steve

[ChesterCheetah18]

I'm not at all familiar with these machines. I noticed in the photos from the thread linked by OrthoFan that there is a spring that runs fron the soundbox set screw to the pivot limit pin. I assume this was intended to lessen weight on the record?

Steve