A solution to noisy gears

[bob27556]

An interesting idea from the land of the beautiful Brown Ale. I'm going to assume you completely cleaned and driedy the gears prior to applying the PVA. How lond did you run the machine after application and which gears did you apply it to?

[kirtley2012]

Actually I didnt remove the grease although it might have been wise to!, I ran it for about 10 minutes after application to allow the PVA to work its way in and dry slightly, I applied it on the famously noisy 2/4 minute gear and the other upper works gears

[bob27556]

Thanks! I'm actually considering trying it on the 2/4 conversion gears on a Standard. Like Nat said, its easily undone if I don't like the results. Anyway, it will have to wait until I've evicted the bedplate bugs from my Spring Motor and cleaned it up!

[kirtley2012]

Let me know how it works out for you!

[Chuck]

In the USA there's a well-known automobile
engine oil additive called STP.

A few drops of that on noisy gears quiets them
right up for a good amount of time.

At one time I kept a little eyedropper bottle of STP handy near my Edison cylinder phonograph
to keep the 2-4 minute gearing quiet.

Chuck

[JerryVan]

The gear noise on the 2/4 gearing is normal and part of how an Edison cylinder phonograph sounds. I vote to lubricate it normally and let it whir along. It's part of the experience. We sometimes decide that something fascinates us, then set about to change it. Why do we do that?

I do however dislike the governor gear noise that happens due to wear, but not normally present with good gears. That is not "normal" noise however, that is worn out gears.

[joybird]

I have a Fireside B VI
I just finished taking it apart 100% . Cleaned everything to like new condition.

I have a Can of SPRAY (yes) SPRAY Bowman Heavy-Load Red Grease
Heavy Duty
Waterproof
Multi Purpose Lubricant

I got this from my early days @ P&WA Jet Engine Maker Plant I worked as Electronic Tech.

It sprays as a liquid (Gel Like) Then almost instantly changes to a RED Grease.

I lubed all gearing with this, in fact, the Motor Spring Grease was still Moist, so I wound spring tight and added about 3 long sprays (3 Second Bursts) of the Red Grease to it.

I Ran the unit through a full wind 3 times ( Runs 10+ Minutes) My chassis is very quiet.

Now this is NOT mounted to the Bed, I do not know if noise will occur when it is mounted.

The Bed is awaiting cure of the new Black Lacquer finish . Then a new set of correct Decals. Hand striping was too costly, so went with the Decals.

I have heard complaints of the VI having noisey gears, but I do not have that problem with this one. Quiet as a Church Mouse. BUT again the assembly is not yet on the Bed and in the cabinet.

UPDATE 12/29/2012 Bed mounted in Cabinet. GEAR Noise is Present.
OH WELLBob T
Wilmington, NC

[phonogfp]

I have a Fireside B VI

I think you must mean an Amberola B VI - - which used a Fireside type mechanism.

George P.

[joybird]

I have a Fireside B VI

I think you must mean an Amberola B VI - - which used a Fireside type mechanism.

George P.

Yes that is correct. I am told the early VI used a different chassis. Never have see one.

Bob T

[phonogfp]

Yes, the earliest version of the Amberola VI had a unique mechanism. That's the one with the notoriously noisy gear. Yours should be fine.

George P.