Craigslist-VICTOR II at Thursday Estate Sale in Seattle

[Phonolair]

Good job, that's how you learn. Jump in with both feet and don't look back. You got a great machine at a great price, it looks to be in nice condition. If you remove the crank and lift the motor board there may be the paper instruction label inside on what and where to oil the motor. It's finds and deals like this that will keep the fire burning for the hobby.
Best Regards, Larry

[VintageTechnologies]

For $700 the Victor II was a great buy and you could justify spending a little more to fix it up. If the platter wobble turns out to be a bent spindle or platter, you shouldn't have much trouble finding a replacement part. Lots of people here are ready to help you find parts or service. Most Victor parts should not be a problem. You should also replace the rubber parts of the reproducer.

[miker2001]

I finally figured out how to open it up. (I forgot to remove the crank!) No label, but was able to see its guts. I am having a great time with it, and the sound seems much better than the other two working upright machines that I have. There is a very slight wobble to it, but wont run out and start buying replacement parts for it until someone, who knows a lot more than I do, looks at it. Thanks for the comments and information.

[PHONOMIKE]

The rest of the story....

I am a very new collector, having started this craziness November 15th of last year. Because this machine was local, in Seattle, I decided at the last minute, that I would go to the estate sale near closing on Saturday to see if they would come down on the price. They had priced it at $3,200 and everything was 50% off on Saturday, the last day of the sale.

It was closing at 4:00 p.m. and traffic was a bear. It was raining heavily, a soccer game had just let out, and I barely made it by 3:45 p.m. It was still there. After some negotiation, I ended up buying it for $700 plus sales tax. A service was running the sale, but the family whose things were being sold were there. They regretted seeing it go (one daughter wanted to keep it), but I assured them it was going to a good home.

This list was helpful along with Jerry, from Albany. I am so new, I have little idea of value. The platter has a little wobble, and I cannot quite figure out how to lubricate it, but it works and plays records and it has a new home. The family said they had owned it for perhaps 40 or more years. The daughters remember it since they were children.

Welcome to our world of phonographs.
Looks like you have given it a new home and will have many great memories with it.
You also got it at a very good price. Enjoy your new Victor.