Help with a VV-VI motor?

[Nat]

I'm working on a 1916 VV-VI with two spring barrels, one a friend bought on eBay; it looks nice, but someone has gone wild with the workings. Two problems have arisen:

- The little center sleeve on the drive barrel (ie: the barrel with the gears attached) is almost totally worn, so the spring won't catch and stay caught. Does anyone pave a spare sleeve they might sell me?

- Is there a drawing anywhere noting the direction of the spring winding? This machine has been so messed around that I'm not sure they were in right to begin with, though I've noted the way they came out - but someone has clearly been there before me.

For cleaning, I soaked all parts overnight in Purple Power - it took all the grease off wonderfully - I've never seen such a clean motor, with so little work. I simply took all the bits out in the morning, and sprayed them with hot water in the sink, and voila! Non-flamable, and biodegradable. Has anyone else tried this stuff (BTW: wear rubber gloves: I got some on my skin and it's very corrosive!)

Thanks,

Nat

[1923VictorFan]

Hi Nat!
George Vollema of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph would definately have the part. In fact he would probably have ANYTHING you might need.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Could you take a photo of the sleeve for me? I have a few spare motors, and I may have something that will work.

[Nat]

Thanks for the tip - I've sent George an e-mail. Now to hire a hit man to find whoever worked on this machine last...

Nat

[AZ*]

Purple Power - It is pretty effective as a degreaser (or paint stripper). The active ingredient is the same as oven cleaner (lye).

[gramophoneshane]

Hmm, I think what you call lye, we call caustic soda. Would that be biodegradable?? I guess anything biodegradable that was used to clean a motor wouldn't remain so anyway, once it became filled with oil and grease.
I dont think lye based products would be safe to use on fibre gears either?

I know the word petrol (or gas) horrifies many people, but I've always found it to be the quickest & easiest solvent for motor cleaning. Most grease & oil is off in 5 minutes. And yes, it is highly flamable, but common sense tells you not to clean a motor in petrol with a cigarette in your mouth or by candle light

[Nat]

VV-X - Thanks for the kind offer! I've got to be doing something else tomorrow, but if George Volema doesn't get back to me, I'll be very glad to take you up on your offer.

nat

[edisonphonoworks]

The springs usually in Victrola Motors go this way. number one is left to right or counter clockwise, and The spring in the other barrel clockwise, in other words one spring goes in one way, and the other the opposite way, and the winding side is usually the clockwise one, and the power side is counter clockwise. To be sure see how the winding side is and look at the direction, the winding gear turns, and imagine that winding the spring up, and use that as a reference. I just worked on a two spring motor last week on a victrola XI floor model (a table model was earlier). I used gas to clean the motor, and then scrubbed the parts again in Dawn and super hot water, the parts were wiped off, and made sure all were very dry, and the motor re assembled. I always put a drop of oil in screw holes before I insert screws, not sure if this is a good Idea but I hope it solves rust stuck screws, maybe should use neverseize. instead.

[Nat]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. George Vollema had the parts needed, so we're off an running. He was very quick & helpful.

Nat