How to remove Columbia Soundbox from taper-tube: Eclipse ?

[De Soto Frank]

Trying to avoid breaking anything...

I have an unrestored Columbia Grafonola "Favorite", and a friend has an unrestored "Eclipse".

Both have similar sound-boxes and taper-arms.

I am assuming the sound-box is supposed to come-off the taper-arm, but in both cases, nothing will budge.

Is it a "Twist & pull" arrangement as with Victor, or another style ?

I don't want to force anything and break fragile pot-metal...

Thanks !

De Soto Frank

[alang]

The Grafonola reproducers have a more elaborate turn and pull off mechanism than the Victors. Looking at it from the mica side it is turned clockwise until the needle is pointing up vertically or even a bit further. There is a spring loaded pin that runs in a groove that should lock at the "60 degree play position" and should stop at the "pull of" or "needle change" position. At that position the reproducer should just pull off. So far the theory In reality both the connector piece at the tonearm and the reproducer are also made from pot metal and may also have swollen so don't force it. The usual "overnight in the freezer" should help if it doesn't turn easily. If it was hard to get apart you should then sand down the connector part on the reproducer and also the groove for the pin.
Good luck
Andreas

[De Soto Frank]

I did notice a fairly large pin ( 3/16" ? diameter) protruding radially from the "neck" of the reproducer...

Do I need to manipulate this pin in any way to release the reproducer ?


Thanks...

Frank

[alang]

Frank, here are a few pictures that should make my previous post a bit clearer. As you can see, the reproducer must be turned nearly ¾ around clockwise until the needle points towards the tonearm base. The pin actually gets pushed outwards when you insert the reproducer. You can see the hole were in the reproducer connector were the pin locks in for playing position. There is a groove around the connector and then a notch in the position were you can pull it out. Hope that helps.
Andreas

[De Soto Frank]

Andreas,

Thank you very much for the photos and the additional information !

I now understand how it fits together...


I appreciate your help !


Kindest regards,


Frank