New here with a Brunswick Model T-need a bit of help

[vinyldavid]

Hello!

I'm mostly a vintage audio/live sound/recording guy, but I've been jonesing for an acoustic phonograph of some sort since I was 2. I'm 20.

I never found a semicomplete working one in my price range. Then yesterday, after selling some things, I was at my local antique mall buying some records, and in a corner no one ever looks at (a lady that worked there for two years didn't know it existed), was a Brunswick Model T with the 3 way Ultona reproducer. It looked complete. I checked the price tag and it said $175. Cool. I might be able to swing that.

So I put a record on it, gave it 3 cranks, released the brake, and away it went. Speed was a bit warbly, but the speed control worked and the sound it made wasn't terrible. I only played about half a side to test, then let the motor wind down.

So I go home, did some research, and concluded I wanted to offer $125 for it, but didn't think I would have enough funds until Monday (I'm buying something else fun over the weekend).

I go back today to give it a closer inspection and ask how much interest there had been, and get answers I like. Then I was informed that it was 25% off. Hmmm....that's about $131, very close to what I wanted to offer. So I tell them I'm coming back for it Monday.

But it's gnawing at me. I call up a lady that's paying me for some transfers to see if I can be paid tomorrow (so I'll have money for my fun item), and she answers yes.



I went back and got it for $140 with tax. Took the reproducer and platter off, and loaded it into the Roadmaster Wagon with help from someone there.

Fortunately, my neighbors are moving today, and like me. So I enlist their help in getting it up the stairs (and I helped them move a dresser).

I got it upstairs and put it all back together (took off the reproducer and platter for the trip, didn't know the crank unscrewed until later.

It sounded strong in the store, but after geting it home, it barely gets through half a 10" side on SIX cranks (I didn't start there). So did I kill one of the springs moving it? The crank didn't move much. I am sure that a complete relube is needed...what sort of grease should I use?

Here are some pics. Yes, that is gaffers tape holding up the back hatch of the Roadmaster Wagon.









I sort of want to put different fabric on the horn cover, and I need to get some more needles, of course.

Anyway, here I am. I can't promise how active I'll be, but if anyone has questions about recording, live sound, audiophile gear, or video...ask away!

[AZ*]

You didn't wind it enough. Most machines need at least 20 revolutions of the crank to make it through one side. You don't want to over wind it and break the spring, but you should be able to wind it until some tension is felt.

You will get the feel of it in time. It's like winding a watch or clock.

[m0xiemama]

Just be prepared....Phonographs are like tattoos- you can't get just one Nice score. It looks like that will clean up really easily and be a lovely machine.

[vinyldavid]

That already made the difference! 15 cranks got me through a 10" with time to spare.

And yeah...that's how it goes with me, it seems. I didn't have a reel to reel until Iw as 14....now I have 10 (and have had about more through the years), didn't have a audio compressor...now I've had 8 or 9 stereo ones...mixers....power amps....speakers....you name it.

I should be picking up a 1949 RCA Radio/TV/45 changer/33 & 78 changer Sunday (the fun item)...hopefully more of those start waltzing home...

...and just think! I was in the midst of selling things.

[EdiBrunsVic]

Congratulations and I hope you get things set up well. Welcome to the world of wind up phonographs. I have a somewhat similar Brunswick machine with the three-way reproducer. You will be able to play three types of records!

[vinyldavid]

OK, so I did some more testing. Unscrewed the screws and dropped a bit of motor oil down the lube holes since I wasn't getting much play time. With a 12" record on the platter it takes 5:29 to run down from 23 cranks (no arm on record) and 3:41 to run down from 20 cranks, with the arm on a blank side of a 12" 78.

Is this normal? Also the motor makes some noises. I can record and upload them soon.

[Henry]

Don't know about Brunswicks, but I can squeeze almost 8 minutes from my VV-XI (two-spring motor) after full wind-up (32 revs of the winding key).

[FloridaClay]

I think you got a real bargain and the Brunswick multi-reproducer system is a really nifty feature.

Motor noise is not something unexpected. After all these years the grease in the springs turns to a tar like substance, so that the layers of the spring stick together rather than sliding past one another as they should as the spring unwinds. Then when the pressure builds they let go with a thunk.

There are several threads on this forum with a lot of information on motor overhauls that should tell you most of what you want to know if you want to take that task on yourself. Use care though. These are powerful springs that can do you some damage if not approached the right way.

And welcome to the hobby and to the Forum!

Clay

[vinyldavid]

A friend who knows more about these than I visited me yesterday.

He wound it up, and said I wasn't nearly winding it enough. As he wound it, there was a noise every time he cranked over the handle, and the tension stopped increasing. He theorized that either it's a mechanical safety or one of my springs is broken.

Do these brunswicks have a safety in them to prevent overwinding?

[HisMastersVoice]

A friend who knows more about these than I visited me yesterday.

He wound it up, and said I wasn't nearly winding it enough. As he wound it, there was a noise every time he cranked over the handle, and the tension stopped increasing. He theorized that either it's a mechanical safety or one of my springs is broken.

Do these brunswicks have a safety in them to prevent overwinding?

Unfortunately, no. That means your spring is either broken or disconnected from the post. Either way you will likely need to remove the spring barrels to see what's going on.