The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The brake makes an awful noise too, and you have to turn it all the way to fast to get it to spin. The whole mechanism needs work, I'm scared to just open her up though.

It likely has one of these Heineman motors in it: -It's probably just gunked up with old grease, a good cleaning/re-greasing should revive it to original operating condition. Be careful to make sure the motor is completely unwound when cleaning the gears, since you wouldn't want any spring tension to be released while handling them!
The governor break leather on the speed adjuster could also be out of alignment.

Wow. You guys are just full of knowledge on these!.. Anyone need to know how to rebuild an international truck engine? That's my line of hobby expertise. Ha ha

If you can disassemble a truck engine, a phonograph spring motor should be no problem for you. Just follow the earlier advice and be sure the mainsprings are unwound when you take it apart.

George P.

A friend was telling me to be careful I don't get cut on the spring. Once I get into the project I will post photos, and undoubtedly have questions! Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

George P. says, "If you can disassemble a truck engine, a phonograph spring motor should be no problem for you."

May I disagree with you? I regularly restore 1920s Dodges and can do so "with my eyes closed," (figuratively at least). That involves working with 5/16 and ⅜-inch wrenches and 10-inch long screwdrivers. But when it comes to the "microscopic" work on phonograph motors and soundboxes,where you are inserting invisible screws and pins into impossibly tiny holes, I am all thumbs. Thank God for Wyatt and Vollema.

I urge our new International Truck guy to approach these phonograph projects with great care. Most importantly, do not work over a shag rug -- especially after two glasses of wine.

John

welshfield wrote:George P. says, "If you can disassemble a truck engine, a phonograph spring motor should be no problem for you."

May I disagree with you? I regularly restore 1920s Dodges and can do so "with my eyes closed," (figuratively at least). That involves working with 5/16 and ⅜-inch wrenches and 10-inch long screwdrivers. But when it comes to the "microscopic" work on phonograph motors and soundboxes,where you are inserting invisible screws and pins into impossibly tiny holes, I am all thumbs. Thank God for Wyatt and Vollema.

I urge our new International Truck guy to approach these phonograph projects with great care. Most importantly, do not work over a shag rug -- especially after two glasses of wine.

John