The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

alang wrote: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

Thanks! CDB

18ft long, 1 5/16in wide, 0.035in thick and has a center hole of 7/8in. Yes, that is what the Frow and Honest Quaker talking Machine catalog says for those particular models.

Got a 1-5/16" spring coming in the mail. I measured the broken spring and that is verified.

Thanks! CDB

Very interesting thread. This has got to be one of the most difficult spring replacement. I have an A250 with a broken or disconnected spring so am watching with interest. Good luck. Keep us posted!

So the A150 and 250 take the same spring? The 250 is just tandem? That's good to know.

Got the spring and installed it. It was a lot of work, but perserverance, strong hands, and a weak mind will prevail!

Here is a video showing how fun it was. See if it is something you want to try:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-PHRwD4cX0

WHEW!!

CDB

After so much difficulty with the springs, I am happy to report the reassembled motor now runs strong, quiet, and smooth as silk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQsqH1P2hIo

CDB

CDBPDX, having replaced two Opera springs and seeing your video, I could really relate to all the phases of your struggle. It gets tougher as you go. When the spring nearly escaped, I about "lost it" myself! Get a vice! Better yet, consider a fanciful idea I have been thinking about.

If I had to change heavy springs everyday for a living, I would rig up a contraption like an old potter's wheel that you sit down to and turn with your feet. Then I would mount some kind of clamp or vice on the table where the lump of clay would normally sit. In addition, I might suspend the center of the spring just above the vice from a string hanging from the ceiling. The spring would remain stationary as you feed it in while turning the spring barrel with your feet. I think you could install a spring in a minute with far less effort or danger.

My next project - an Edison A100 with a broken spring. This spring is 1.5 in wide and 25 ft long but much thinner material. Shouldn't be nearly as difficult.

This is fun, especially the part where the motor works when reassembled!

CDB

.035 thick!! That's just plain nasty. And so long, too. How badly did your hands hurt the next day? Very nice job.
Here are a couple of pictures of a fixture I made when I had to do a spring job on my Triumph. I hung the center of the spring from the ceiling with a bungee cord which left both hands free to handle the spring. It was much easier although still a difficult job. My days of holding the barrel in one hand and the spring in the other are long gone.

Jim