How important is it to change the original Rubber flange?

[OrthoSean]

I use plumber's grease where the flange goes. If you had an isolator that was too small (or loose otherwise), I would suggest the silicone before installing it, probably best inside the metal part, whatever part you don't need will wipe off with warm water on a cloth before it dries without damage.

Sean

[Victrolaman]

ok

[OrthoFan]

As a "temporary" fix, I removed the shrunken, hardened rubber flange, sheared off a bit, all the way around, coated it with silicone caulk, and reinserted it. There was a definite improvement in sound quality and tracking. I was going to redo it, replacing the entire flange, but it's worked so well over the past five years--air tight, flexible, etc.--I've left it as is. At this point, I think I'll just leave it be. When my finances are a little better, I'll be shopping around for a replacement for my 4-40--perhaps a Credenza, or another one of the 8-series models--and whomever buys the 4-40 from me can do a proper restoration.

[Victrolaman]

I have a 8-12, thats a very nice machine and sounds great. So what you did was basically trim all the old rubber off around the outside edge and fill it with Silicone/ if you can take a few pics and post them so we can see. The flanges are only 7 dollars.
The one i had i had to redo, it was the original one and both set screws were tight but it still moved back and forth a bit and i could easily still take it off.
I see sometimes people will take a little plumbers tape and wrap it around the end of the tone arm and then install the reproducer, but i think replacing the flange will make that so thats not needed

[OrthoFan]

I have a 8-12, thats a very nice machine and sounds great. So what you did was basically trim all the old rubber off around the outside edge and fill it with Silicone/ if you can take a few pics and post them so we can see. The flanges are only 7 dollars.
The one i had i had to redo, it was the original one and both set screws were tight but it still moved back and forth a bit and i could easily still take it off.
I see sometimes people will take a little plumbers tape and wrap it around the end of the tone arm and then install the reproducer, but i think replacing the flange will make that so thats not needed

Unfortunately, right now, I don't own a camera--digital or otherwise.

I just trimmed around the flange's circumference, using a razor blade. It was just enough to remove about ⅛ inch or so all the way around. After that, I used silicone caulk the coat the entire edge of the flange, and reinserted it, while the caulk was still wet, aligning it by sight. After it set, about 24 hours later, I reinserted the screws. It's held snugly since that time. As noted, this was only meant to be a temporary fix, but time has a way of getting away from me.

[Victrolaman]

Well its a great idea. Im sure a bunch of the members have machines with the original ones on there still and in orthophnic machines the same ball bearings.

[Swing Band Heaven]

By rubber flange are we talking about the part inside the sound box that the tone arm connects into? On HMV sound boxes (and I assume Victor ones) this lines the inside of the park of the sound box that connects to the tone arm.

If it is this bit I am confused - how can replacement of this affect record wear. I assumed this would just be a leakage issue.

S-B-H

[HMV1931]

This may seem a bit backwards. But I live in the UK and have no idea where I would get a new flange from, if I did I would gladly pay the 7 dollars and postage. Could anyone please point me in the right direction. It is for a 5A soundbox which I understand is also 'orthophonic', just the UK equivalent and that the flanges are the same. Any help appreciated

[Victrolaman]

Hi I get my stuff from victrola repair service, just do a google search and they will come up, they are like 10 bucks I think, they sell needles and othe stuff as well and do repairs.

[bart1927]

While we're on the subject, I've got an HMV no 4 here, in desperate need for restoration. Can anybody here give me advice on who to contact? (Whether in the USA, UK or the Netherlands)? Or perhaps somebody out there who sells already restored no 4's?