My First Edison Motor Repair

[CDBPDX]

I'm going to try to repair a broken spring on my Edison A-250. I've had success with Victrola and Grafonola motors, just wondering if there were any surprises awaiting me as I tackle the Edison. Advice would be welcomed.

I think all I want to do is repair/regrease the springs unless other problems pop up.

Thanks! CDB

[VintageTechnologies]

I have never serviced a DD motor made that early, but the outward appearance of the spring cans causes me to wonder if they are internally similar to the springs in an Edison Opera. If so, you might gain some insights from my recent thread with pictures, "Edison Opera Repair Experience".

[CDBPDX]

Thanks! Sounds a bit more involved than a Victrola but doable. CDB

[CDBPDX]

Whew! These springs are super heavy duty! Very tough reinstalling in the barrel. Victrolas and Grafonolas springs are very lightweight compared to these.

Anyway, got the springs out and one was definitely broken but the other was in pretty good shape. Cleaned the one and reinstalled in the barrel, gonna get a new one to replace the broken one.

More to come.

CDB

[edisonphonoworks]

This must be an A-250 motor. Yes the springs are very stout, they I think they are 18 footers but very thick. The spring in my 150 broke a long time ago, in the same exact spot,I did not measure the spring and not even thinking about it ordered a regular DD spring installed it and it worked, but not very well, changed it to the proper one, and works great.

[CDBPDX]

Yes, this is an A-250. Didn't know the A-250 does not use a 'regular' DD spring. How can I be sure to get the right spring?

CDB

[alang]

Just make sure you request the correct spring from the vendor. Ron Sitko has all different kinds of springs, but you have to tell him the exact model to get the correct spring. It seems that later DD models used all the same springs, but earlier models were all different. The Diamond Disc book by George Frow lists all the spring sizes in the back.

The way your spring looks you could probably try and heat the center coil and try to re-shape it.

You can find Ron Sitko's phone number in the Links section.

Good luck!
Andreas

[VintageTechnologies]

CDBPDX, your pictures sure look familiar after doing an Opera repair. As I said on my thread, they were the stiffest springs I ever dealt with, and Ron's spring replacement for the Opera was .002 thicker. I did not mention in my thread, but his springs were a bit narrower too, perhaps by .025 inch. That might have contributed to my problem getting the shaft hook lined up with the spring's hole. Did you clamp the spring can in a vise? I shudder at the thought trying it freehand. Those springs do seem to come out easier than they go back in!

[CDBPDX]

CDBPDX, your pictures sure look familiar after doing an Opera repair. As I said on my thread, they were the stiffest springs I ever dealt with. Those springs do seem to come out easier than they go back in!

This was just about exactly as you described your Edison Opera. I realized there would be extra effort necessary the moment I tried to pull the first spring from the barrel. Finally got them out, though. Replacing the good spring was a real chore. Might have to get a vise, 'twould be much easier, I think.

CDB

[alang]

Based on the Frow book, the original A-250 spring is 18ft long, 1 5/16in wide, 0.035in thick and has a center hole of 7/8in. Never hurts to verify the sizes when ordering. The same spring size was used in the A-150 up to the A-450. Later DD models had longer thinner springs.
Good luck!
Andreas