How do I open this spring barrel?

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Hi all,

I was listening to a record earlier when my Victor VV 1-5 made a loud BANG! and stopped a few seconds later. Obviously, the spring broke, and I'd like to fix it (this will be my first spring repair) but I can't figure out how to open the spring barrel.



This is a "Franken-trola" as someone long before me added a motorboard from (I believe) an Edison portable? I like the design of it, honestly.



I've been able to disassemble and clean the motor (man, talk about filthy!) but I cant see how to pull the spring barrel apart. There are no bolts or anything holding both sides together. It looks as if it's just pressed together. I fear that if I pry the two sides apart, I'll never get them to fit together again.

[Henry]

"This is a "Franken-trola" as someone long before me added a motorboard from (I believe) an Edison portable? I like the design of it, honestly."

I don't have any experience with these portables, but it looks to me as though it's not only the motorboard but everything on it. Perhaps that's what you meant. That's evidently not a Victor motor casting, and I've never seen a Victor spring barrel like that one. Wish I could help; if I were you, I'd consider a professional fix, if it were cost-effective.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Oh yeah, the only original things on it aside from the case is the tonearm/reproducer and the handle, sans the tape.

I'd like to fix it if I can, but if it's not possible, there's another VV 1-5 at an auction this weekend I might try and snag. I can sell the #4 from this one, and perhaps the tonearm and such and call it even. It's a shame, as I quite liked it nonetheless.

[VintageTechnologies]

I am guessing there is a way to open and seal that case again, but the pictures don't reveal enough detail to understand how the case is fit together. Shoot several macro photos at different angles of the rim detail. Some cases have a flat lid that is press-fit into a slightly larger lip on the case. Some early Victor springs are like that, while others use a retaining snap ring to hold the lid. Some springs have a tiny hole that you can use to pry the lid off. Sometimes the spring shaft inside the case is larger than what protrudes, and tapping or pressing the end of the shaft can therefore pop the lid off. With that type of case, your hands may not be strong enough to press-fit the lid back in place again; Don't use a hammer. I have used the chuck of a drill press like an arbor press to press the lid back into place as I rotate the spring case on the drill press table. On spring cases without an attached gear, I have used a vise with wood blocks to squeeze the lid back on.

[estott]

I'm pretty certain the spring barrel lid is pressed on like a cookie tin and just needs to be pried off. Check out the recent Polly Portable thread.

[antique1973]

I'm pretty certain the spring barrel lid is pressed on like a cookie tin and just needs to be pried off. Check out the recent Polly Portable thread.

I agree. If there are no screws it must push together. Once you remove the barrel
from the motor it may help you see exactly how its held together and where you
can find a leverage point to pull it apart.

[gramophoneshane]

Yes, it's a press fitted lid. When I do the ones with a big lip like this, I just cut a small wooden wedge, and with the pointed end against the lip, I tap the wedge on one side, then the opposite side, and go from side to side until it comes off. Normally only takes 2 or 3 strikes on each side before it falls off, and the wood wont score or dent barrel or lid.
I've always just held the barrel & wedge (awkwardly) in one hand, & used the hammer with the other, but you can always hold the body of the barrel in a vise or clamp if you prefer.

The pic below gives you the general idea. I couldn't find the same barrel in my spares, so although this is a double barrel, the principle is the same. Just rest the wedge against the outer lip, and a couple gentle taps either side, and it'll be off.

[anchorman]

when I opened a similar barrel on my polly portable, I cut two pieces of ½" plywood about 2" wide and 6" long. from these, I cut two parts of a circle out on my bandsaw, so that they could grab evenly around the outside of the barrel under the gear without distorting the barrel. I placed this whole thing in a bench vise to hold everything securely. I cut it so that the boards grabbed on either side of the barrel but left a gap about 1-2" between them. this allowed me to take a screwdriver and lightly tap either side of the lid alternately a bit at a time until the lid popped off.

careful pulling the spring out of there. get some heavy leather gloves and maybe a friend to help hold stuff in case it gets away from you. I like safety glasses too, no need to risk loosing an eye.

if you can't get this from my description, I will take pictures of the wood bits and post.

good luck,
jon