The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Amberola wrote:

FloridaClay wrote:Henrik,

Your call of course, but you have a nice machine worth having properly repaired. If it were me, unless you might run into some sort of exorbitant customs duties in your country (I don't know the rules there), I would just remove the spring barrels and mail them off intact to someone like Ron Sitko or George Vollema here in the US for spring replacement. They will know exactly what springs to install and will do the job properly without the do-it-yourself mess and risk of damaging either yourself or the parts. You can find addresses for them on the Links page here on the Forum.

I have used George Vollema (Great Lakes Antique Phonograph) for this particular job a number of times and have always been pleased with his work. His prices are reasonable and he give fairly quick turn around time. I have high regard for Ron Sitko also, but have no personal experience with his repair work.

Clay

X2

Henrik,
I can certainly understand why you would choose to have the springs shipped to you. Some members and until recently....myself are not aware of the cost, paper work and headache in having items shipped in and out of Europe.

As mentioned, I have only learned this recently having a machine shipped out of Europe. I can not believe all the "hidden" fees involved.

Here is an example for some members to read and try to get their heads around (if you can). I sent two small boxes of inexpensive Victrola parts. Parts that had a total value of $40 CND.
I prepaid the shipping by air at $78 CND as these were sent to a friend as a gift for his kindness and help in assisting me.

All the proper paper work....customs,etc.... was clearly filled out.

To make this story short......in order to get his parts...he had to wait a week (sent two day) and paid 170 Euro's.

This outrageous fee was for handling, taxes,customs, etc....

I was sick to learn this outrageous expense imposed upon my friend for his "gift" for his kindness to me.

Then there was my side. He sent me a machine he had picked up for me. Now, I too had him send it by air and COD. It's a darn good thing it was sent COD. When it arrived, the air carrier discovered "they" in Europe doubled every single fee (there are lots of them). Had the man here not noticed this.....I would have literally paid double fees. I'm just surprised "they" did not charge me a "bathroom break" charge. It was that ridiculous..... .

So, Hendrik may already know this and wants to keep his costs and hassle to a minimum by having the springs shipped to him to deal with.... .

gramophone78 wrote:

Amberola wrote:

FloridaClay wrote:Henrik,

Your call of course, but you have a nice machine worth having properly repaired. If it were me, unless you might run into some sort of exorbitant customs duties in your country (I don't know the rules there), I would just remove the spring barrels and mail them off intact to someone like Ron Sitko or George Vollema here in the US for spring replacement. They will know exactly what springs to install and will do the job properly without the do-it-yourself mess and risk of damaging either yourself or the parts. You can find addresses for them on the Links page here on the Forum.

I have used George Vollema (Great Lakes Antique Phonograph) for this particular job a number of times and have always been pleased with his work. His prices are reasonable and he give fairly quick turn around time. I have high regard for Ron Sitko also, but have no personal experience with his repair work.

Clay

X2

Henrik,
I can certainly understand why you would choose to have the springs shipped to you. Some members and until recently....myself are not aware of the cost, paper work and headache in having items shipped in and out of Europe.

As mentioned, I have only learned this recently having a machine shipped out of Europe. I can not believe all the "hidden" fees involved.

Here is an example for some members to read and try to get their heads around (if you can). I sent two small boxes of inexpensive Victrola parts. Parts that had a total value of $40 CND.
I prepaid the shipping by air at $78 CND as these were sent to a friend as a gift for his kindness and help in assisting me.

All the proper paper work....customs,etc.... was clearly filled out.

To make this story short......in order to get his parts...he had to wait a week (sent two day) and paid 170 Euro's.

This outrageous fee was for handling, taxes,customs, etc....

I was sick to learn this outrageous expense imposed upon my friend for his "gift" for his kindness to me.

Then there was my side. He sent me a machine he had picked up for me. Now, I too had him send it by air and COD. It's a darn good thing it was sent COD. When it arrived, the air carrier discovered "they" in Europe doubled every single fee (there are lots of them). Had the man here not noticed this.....I would have literally paid double fees. I'm just surprised "they" did not charge me a "bathroom break" charge. It was that ridiculous..... .

So, Hendrik may already know this and wants to keep his costs and hassle to a minimum by having the springs shipped to him to deal with.... .

How does Eduardo ship his horns from Peru to the US for 65.00?

I should add, you can put the springs in. Its not difficult, and not as dangerous as many say. I just shake them out in a empty trash can.

Amberola wrote:
How does Eduardo ship his horns from Peru to the US for 65.00?

Maybe you should ask Eduardo. I'm not sure what this comment has to do with Europe...??. They don't have things like the Euro and the VAT in South America....at least not that I know. I buy many things in Mexico and have never been faced with the charges like Europe.

I suggest you head over to the European phono forum and find a repair man in Europe. As long as it is an EU country, the goods should be able to cross borders without fees, right? You might contace Guido in the Netherlands.
Dave D

Dave D wrote:I suggest you head over to the European phono forum and find a repair man in Europe. As long as it is an EU country, the goods should be able to cross borders without fees, right? You might contace Guido in the Netherlands.
Dave D

or jelle attema at [email protected] you can even sent him the whole motor it will be returned all fixed up ready to play once again

jele also lives in the netherlands

foto bellow jelle's spring winder

I would ship it off to someone, those motors are somewhat of a headache as their is a tapered pin to be taken out, and it is a real pain. That said,the taper pin is the hard part. the Victor springs are not as bad as Triumph or DD spring, you should be able to do it yourself. I find unwinding the springs in a gunny sack and then for Victor products I usually get the spring hooked and some good tight felt gloves, and feed the spring in, with the barrel pointed away from me, turning the barrel with the right and and feeding in with the left hand, having my hand cupped as I feed it in the barrel. You must be well rested comfortable and strong.