Speed adjustment issues with a Grafonola

[FloridaClay]

Hello all,

I have added my first Columbia to my collection, a table top Grafonola--an Eclipse from the look of it.

The brake and speed control need adjusting and as these are very different from Victors I am at a bit of a loss. What happens is that it runs fastest when the speed adjustment lever is set at what should be the slowest setting. It slows as you move it toward the fast setting, stopping completely midway. The brake, which appears to work through interaction with the same mechanism, will not completely stop the turntable.

There is probably a simple way to adjust this and advice on how to do that would be appreciated.

Also, can anybody point me to a website with a Grafonola owners manual?

Clay

[alang]

Here is a link to a generic Columbia Grafonola manual, but I think you may have the older type brake based on your description of the problem. A picture might help. http://www.nipperhead.com/old/colgraf01.htm
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

Thanks Andreas. Yes, mine is older than is covered by that manual.

I'll try to get a picture up in a few days. The guy I bought it from had serviced the motor (which is clean and very quiet, by the way) and I suspect did not get the speed control/brake assembly back together quite right.

Clay

[alang]

OK, so you probably have a speed control like this machine:

Here is what mine looks like under the hoods. The mechanism is quite simple, so the only things that could be messed up would be if the spring for the lever was installed wrong or missing, or maybe the governor has been installed on the wrong side of the fork.

Good uck!
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

Hi,

Sorry it took a while to get back with pictures, but here they are. (Been up to my ears in washing, testing, and sleeving 78s.) Please see the first post in this thread re the issues.

Clay

[alang]

OK, this speed control and brake configuration is a bit different from mine as it seems that the brake is separate. From your description of the issue, could it be that the speed control post should be turned 180 degrees? Can't think of anything else that would cause what you described.
Good luck
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

From your description of the issue, could it be that the speed control post should be turned 180 degrees? Can't think of anything else that would cause what you described.
Good luck
Andreas

A good thought, but I don't think so. Among other things that would point the speed control lever in the wrong direction. (It is keyed and will only fit on the post one way.)

Perhaps someone with the same set up will stumble across this post and can send a picture of how their mechanism is set up from below the motor board. I can use it meanwhile. Setting the speed control lever to what should be the slowest setting (which is really the fastest) I can manage to get about 75 rpm, which sounds OK.

After experimenting I did find out how to adjust the brake control lever so that it does not disappear beneath the turntable to work, another issue I was having. So one problem solved.

Clay

[alang]

Another thought: since you cannot get to the full speed, maybe the fork engages too early with the governor? On the picture it looks like the original leather on the fork has been replaced with same other material (foam or fabric) that sticks out pretty far. It least that's what it looks like on the picture. Maybe you can shave that back a little bit or replace it with leather. Another option would be to move the governor a bit on its shaft, but make sure to completely let the spring wind down before.
Just a thought.
Andreas

[FloridaClay]

Another thought: since you cannot get to the full speed, maybe the fork engages too early with the governor? On the picture it looks like the original leather on the fork has been replaced with same other material (foam or fabric) that sticks out pretty far. It least that's what it looks like on the picture. Maybe you can shave that back a little bit or replace it with leather. Another option would be to move the governor a bit on its shaft, but make sure to completely let the spring wind down before.
Just a thought.
Andreas

I think you may well be on to something there. The pads look too big to me as well and they look like felt or something instead of leather. Think I will order some proper leather ones and give that a try.

Clay

[wjw]

Clay, I've only messed with a couple of Columbia disc machines but both had felts at the governor.