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Re: Advice on BF: Lift Lever/Reproducer problem
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:07 pm
by Lucius1958
One curious problem I notice: the cam on the lift lever does not seem to make contact with the reproducer when I disengage the feedscrew.
At first, I thought it was due to the lift lever having been set in the wrong position: the 'cutout' on the ring was facing the mandrel instead of the half nut. But when I readjusted it after disassembly and cleaning, the cam was still not making contact.
The pin remains in the bottom of the limit loop at all times:

- Feedscrew engaged
- Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.45 PM.jpg (53.86 KiB) Viewed 951 times

- Feedscrew disengaged
- Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.44 PM.jpg (42.12 KiB) Viewed 951 times
Is there some part of the reproducer that is missing, or is the reproducer incorrect for the BF?
Bill
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:14 am
by Lucius1958
Experimented again with the lift lever.
In one orientation, I can raise the stylus: in the other, I can engage the feedscrew - but not both.
Is there some logical explanation for this?
Bill
PS: George V. does not have the cabinet parts. I shall have to keep looking, or find a way to fabricate them.
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 2:35 am
by Lucius1958
Contacted Tom R. of 'Gramps' Treasures', and he may be able to do the woodwork...
Sent the spring barrels & reproducer off for service; motor is cleaned, things are running smoothly; made a new belt (although the tensioner tends to make it crawl off the pulleys - works fine without it, though).
Any ideas about the reproducer/lift lever puzzle?
Bill
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:50 pm
by Lucius1958
Lucius1958 wrote:
Any ideas about the reproducer/lift lever puzzle?
Bill
Anybody?
Bueller?

Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 2:04 am
by Lucius1958
Got the replacement cabinet parts from Tom Rutkowski (Thanks, Gramps!)
Now for staining and finishing….

- Photo on 5-3-14 at 2.39 AM.jpg (175.75 KiB) Viewed 846 times
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 8:04 am
by flashpanblue
Hi Bill,
Your fellow did a fantastic job of matching the moulding profile! How was this done? Did you send him some of the original pieces off your cabinet for a pattern? I didn't know that there was someone out there that could do this quality of work. This is good to know. Can't wait to see what it looks like all stained up!
Pete
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 9:36 am
by fran604g
Lucius1958 wrote:Experimented again with the lift lever.
In one orientation, I can raise the stylus: in the other, I can engage the feedscrew - but not both.
Is there some logical explanation for this?
Bill
PS: George V. does not have the cabinet parts. I shall have to keep looking, or find a way to fabricate them.
Bill, if the carriage trunnion is pot metal, there could be issues with it "swelling" from crystallization. PM George P. (phonogfp) and ask him your question. I'm sure he can help you out.
Fran
Re: Advice on BF: Lift Lever/Reproducer problem
Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 4:19 pm
by JerryVan
Lucius1958 wrote:One curious problem I notice: the cam on the lift lever does not seem to make contact with the reproducer when I disengage the feedscrew.
At first, I thought it was due to the lift lever having been set in the wrong position: the 'cutout' on the ring was facing the mandrel instead of the half nut. But when I readjusted it after disassembly and cleaning, the cam was still not making contact.
The pin remains in the bottom of the limit loop at all times:
Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.45 PM.jpg
Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.44 PM.jpg
Is there some part of the reproducer that is missing, or is the reproducer incorrect for the BF?
Bill
Bill,
The vertical tang on your reproducer, that engages with the lifting cam on the carriage, is the wrong shape. It should have a bit of an "S" curve, (versus straight as shown), that reaches back and contacts the cam. Your photos are very blurry so it's hard to tell, but I believe you may have a Dictaphone reproducer, which is very similar. Again, hard to say from the photos.
Re: Advice on BF
Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 1:48 am
by Lucius1958
flashpanblue wrote:Hi Bill,
Your fellow did a fantastic job of matching the moulding profile! How was this done? Did you send him some of the original pieces off your cabinet for a pattern? I didn't know that there was someone out there that could do this quality of work. This is good to know. Can't wait to see what it looks like all stained up!
Pete
I sent Tom the lid, plus some carefully measured drawings of the corner mouldings (as well as some cardboard templates of the latter).
Except for one of the mouldings having been cut about ½" too long, they were excellent.
I have used Varathane® 'Red Oak' stain on them ,and it is a very good match. I will finish them off with shellac.
Bill
Re: Advice on BF: Lift Lever/Reproducer problem
Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 1:55 am
by Lucius1958
JerryVan wrote:Lucius1958 wrote:One curious problem I notice: the cam on the lift lever does not seem to make contact with the reproducer when I disengage the feedscrew.
At first, I thought it was due to the lift lever having been set in the wrong position: the 'cutout' on the ring was facing the mandrel instead of the half nut. But when I readjusted it after disassembly and cleaning, the cam was still not making contact.
The pin remains in the bottom of the limit loop at all times:
Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.45 PM.jpg
Photo on 2-23-14 at 9.44 PM.jpg
Is there some part of the reproducer that is missing, or is the reproducer incorrect for the BF?
Bill
Bill,
The vertical tang on your reproducer, that engages with the lifting cam on the carriage, is the wrong shape. It should have a bit of an "S" curve, (versus straight as shown), that reaches back and contacts the cam. Your photos are very blurry so it's hard to tell, but I believe you may have a Dictaphone reproducer, which is very similar. Again, hard to say from the photos.
Well, according to the sources I have consulted, the reproducer appears to be identical to the standard 'Lyric': at least Reiss shows an example which is identical to mine - no "S" curve at all…
Bill