The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Re: spring barrels with filling holes - I've solved thumping by adding a fair amount of automotive 85/140 gear oil. My C-19 has been thump-free for over 30 years!

Alright i found the mainspring grease holes, but just to be safe are the ones in the pictures the holes? So I'm gonna try to put some oil or grease inside of them and want to know what to use. I'm afraid of using something wrong and messing it up. Right now I have some white lithium grease in a tube and that's about it. Thanks for your help.

The screws on the barrels are definitely the grease holes.

The oil holes should be marked as such on the motor plate (they are on the C-250, anyway)…

Bill

Tyler, welcome. It is great to see some of the members of the next generations acquiring the phono collecting bug. It can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment, and you are off to a fine start. The C-19 is an excellent machine.

Clay

Would it be better to add something like lubricant lube 75-140 or oil 85-140 or something different?

TylerG wrote:Would it be better to add something like lubricant lube 75-140 or oil 85-140 or something different?

I use Coastal Premium Moly Grease in a black and silver tub, purchased at my local AutoZone.

Hi,
I recommend using Vaseline and graphite powder. Mix 10 parts vaseline to 1 part graphite powder. (roughly, no need to be to precise.) That is an Edison prescription I recall reading on a correspondence from the Edison factory to a customer and I've seen it a few other places too.

You'll probably only need a few table spoons of the mixture. Beware, the graphite powder will stain anything you get it on. Get a syringe from the pharmacy like the ones they give with kids medicine. pull out the screw plugs you've identified and squeeze it in. I've done this with two Edison's that I didn't want to rebuild and it works just fine. I also used the same lube when rebuilding two Victor motors.

Welcome to the hobby and have fun.
Scott

I put some Mobil 1 synthetic oil 15/50 mixed with some white lithium grease and then cranked it fully about 5 time and let it wind down, and it is still making a thumping noise every now and then.Also a black grease is coming oozing out of the sides of the barrel. What could I do now?

Oops. I put 3 in 1 oil in the spring of my first Edison. Stinky mess that was...

Just put an old plate under the motor and it will eventually all run out. No harm done. For the oil holes under the turntable use as clear and clean oil as you can not something like 3 in 1. Sewing machine oil should be fine.
Scott