Edison Home B

[debndunk]

Hi everybody can you help I have an Edison Home model B thats driving me nuts. I can't get it to maintain speed when I lower the reproducer, the only thing I can think of is maybe it's missing a bearing. Should it have a pot metal or brass bearing in the centre stump at the end of the feed screw as there isn't one and does feel a little bit sloppy in the stump. Many thanks Gordon.

[Jerry B.]

I generally make sure everything above the deck is working properly. The first thing I'd check is the adjustment on the half nut that engages the feed screw. The adjustment is very fine and a quarter turn is a gross adjustment so try a very slight backing off of the little screw. Jerry Blais

[estott]

Make certain that the spring arm with the half nut is not pressing too hard on the feedscrew

[debndunk]

Hi Guys, thanks for that but the half nut is bearly touching the feed screw. I started the motor and backed off the half nut adjustment and then adjusted until it just made contact with the feed screw and it's still the same should it have brass or pot metal bearing in the middle stump? Gordon.

[Andersun]

Should it have a pot metal or brass bearing in the centre stump at the end of the feed screw as there isn't one and does feel a little bit sloppy in the stump. Many thanks Gordon.

No, the Home Model B did not have a bearing in the middle. Is this machine 2 and 4 minute or just 2 minute? Post a picture of it's upper works.
Thanks!
Steve

[gramophoneshane]

No, it was only the models without an endgate that needed the bearing.
Make sure the belt isn't too tight or loose, and make sure the brass tension wheel for the belt is turning freely. If that wheel isn't turning freely, the added drag from the wheel plus the friction from a properly operating upper works, is enough to grind everything to a hault.
Even having the bearing at the endgate for the mandrel, out of adjustment can cause problems.
I usually take the belt off the upper pulley, then check things are running smoothly by turning the pulley by hand. If no resistance is felt, I then repeat the process with the carriage engaged.
If that seems ok, then replace the belt and try it all again.
Once it appears to operate properly & drives the carriage across the length of the mandrel, add the reproducer & repeat. If ok, then put a cylinder on the mandrel & try again. Lastly, add the horn & try again.

Whenever I've had similar problems with any of my phonographs, I go through this process of elimination, and you can usually find the trouble spot pretty quickly and fix it.
I've found if the machine slows once the carriage is engaged, it's normally either the belt or half-nut adjustment causing it. This is of course provided everything has been completely cleaned & lubricated.

[dutchman]

Dosen't a broken missing governor weight cause irregular speed?

[Jerry B.]

The mandrel and shaft on a B Home is supported at each end and not the middle. I'd suggest:
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Disconnect the belt from the top works.
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With the carriage in the non-engaging position, does the mandrel spin easily? It should turn several times with a gentle spin.
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Try spinning the mandrel with the carriage in the engaging or playing position. It should turn easily and move the carriage a bit. It will not move as easily as it did in the non-engaging position but it should spin and move the carriage.
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If everything spins and moves freely, your problem is not with the top works.
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If the mandrel does not move freely, you need the take apart the top works to be cleaned and lubricated.
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I use a carburetor cleaner to clean small parts while wearing light weight rubber gloves and safety glasses. 0000 steel wool works great for cleaning the carriage rod.
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Use a good quality light weight oil (not WD-40 or 3in1 oil) when you reassemble the top works. Use a little oil for every moving surface and there is always a slight amount of space or play in each assembly. For example, the mandrel and shaft should have a slight amount of end play with the end gate closed.
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After assembly, give it another spin test.
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Check the belt. It should not be too tight or too loose. The belt tensioner should spin freely in its shaft so it may need a drop of oil.
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The governor shaft should be oiled at each end and have a bit of end play.
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The governor pads should be well oiled.
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When the motor is started, part of the governor moves on the governor shaft. This also needs oil.
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Let us know if any of this works.
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Jerry Blais

[briankeith]

For all of us who are not mechanicly inclined: Can someone post a close-up photo of the halfnut in question and where / how to adjust it, etc?

[debndunk]

Hi guys thanks for all the tips and advice, I have spent so many hours checking over this machine. When I take the belt off, the motor works great and everything on top moves freely, when the carriage isn't engaged and when it is engaged, it still moves relatively freely and smooth. I have added 2 pictures of the top workings.