Victrola XI Speed Indicator Dial Loose - Help Please?

[AMiBlue]

I just noticed today that my Victrola XI was playing slow. I went to adjust speed indicator, and noticed it was raised up slightly on one side, and was very loose. I pushed it down, and the speed of play increased. I tried to turn the indicator to reach 78rpm, but it stopped before getting there. I opened the motor case and checked underneath. The indicator is very wobbly, but I cannot figure out why. Everything else looks good. As I said, pushing down on the raised indicator made play speed up, so I know if it were tightened down it would easily go up to and over 78rpm as it should. Something is missing? If anyone knows anything about this, please help. I can supply pics if needed. Thanks!


EDIT:

I should also add, that I have had this machine for several years now and it has played great. The only issue I knew of before was that when the brake stopped the record it would squeak. I put off doing anything about it because I thought it just needed grease or something. When I took the turntable off to inspect for the speed indicator problem I realized what was causing the squeaking is a missing strip of leather I think. I glued a small strip of leather to this tonight hoping that will correct the squeaking problem once I can get the speed indicator situation figured out. However, I am wondering if the squeaking/missing leather could have caused the speed indicator dial to go out of calibration??

[De Soto Frank]

Are you able to post pictures of the motorboard / turn-table area, with and without the tuntable in place ?

Victor used a variety of speed controls throughout the production run of the XI, and knowing which version you have will help us make helpful suggestions.


Regards,

De Soto Frank

[Henry]

What Frank said.

What is the serial number of your XI? Does it have a round speed adjust dial? If so, there should be an adjustment screw in the center of the knob; this may be missing or not tightened down enough.

More info. needed!

[AMiBlue]

Here are the pics.
Serial # VV-XI 105794

EDIT: Also, on the topic of the screw on the knob...on the underneath of the knob there is one screw which is welded on and appears to have no function. It is not moveable. On the top of the dial, there is a small knob which I believe is threaded, however, it is as tight as it will go. Not for sure that it's threaded because it won't unscrew (could be rusted). Also, the pics show the 3 governor weights which appear to me to all be in correct alignment, springs good, etc...

[OrthoSean]

Here's what you need to do -

Remove the screw from the bottom of the speed control to expose the disc with two holes in it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to tighten the ring back down, reassemble and you may have to tweak the control a bit, but what has happened is the disc has loosened up a bit.

Hope this helps,
Sean

[AMiBlue]

Thank you for the quick replies. The ring tightening worked. I do see what you mean. The dial is no longer tilting. However, now that it is tightened, the speed indicator will not move at all. Either there is something fundamental I don't understand about the way the mechanism operates, or perhaps corrosion? I do see a little greenish patina on the underneath screw.

Can you tell me if I'm right in my understanding? The underneath ring that I tightened is supposed to be tightened all the way. But the speed indicator dial is supposed to move freely.

Is the arrow which points to the speed supposed to stay stationary or move? Mine is staying stationary when top screw is tightened. I also noticed when I took it apart, that the hole of the indicator hand which is fitted over the top screw is not a solid circle. It has a spot which is a small line, and the screw has a matching line for receiving the indicator hand. It seems that whoever owned it before had set the hand to 78 but the notch I described in the indicator hand was not fitted properly into the screw which receives it.

I have an owner's manual for this model, but it is not original to the machine. The manual I have is describing a different speed indicator dial.

Sorry for the ignorance, but this is my only machine and I don't have much experience yet with maintenance. Should I try to take apart the and clean or grease all the parts of the speed dial indicator?

[Bob]

The screw on the bottom should not be tightened all the way. That is your speed adjustment to calibrate the arrow at 78 rpm.

[De Soto Frank]

Looks like you have one of the earlier XI's... pre-1915.

I think the other chaps have covered the tech hints that you need...

[AMiBlue]

Hey Frank - Yes, the Victor Victrola Page shows my serial number as dating to 1914. The suffix letter is "G", which I presume means it was late in that year. I think it is so awesome that there is that much info out there to be able to date it. I have always wanted a Victrola, and was lucky to find this one in complete working order sitting in a junk dealers' warehouse under a pile of magazines and random stuff. I almost overlooked it. He sold it to me for almost nothing. Just needed cleaning! I love this machine.

I will try loosening the bottom screw. Sorry for the lack of knowledge. I can build computers, but I can't fix a 100 year old record player!

[AMiBlue]

Loosening the disc screw underneath simply makes the indicator do what it was doing before, wobbling and tilting. Loosening the bottom screw doesn't do anything I can tell. I am just not sure how this works. Seems like the needle should be movable, or the indicator disc. But with all things tightened, nothing moves.