The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

mattrx wrote:I cannot tell you the entire list of machines with 4 spring motors, but the 8-12 I own, as well as the credenza, VV 130 and 8-35 all have them. I think most if not all of the big orthophonics have them. Victor Data Book also says the XVII had a 4 spring motor and those began being manufactured in late 1916.

Matt

Also top-level Columbia external horn gramophones have 4 springs. I don't know if this is a general rule, but I have noticed that Columbia machines tend to have more springs than their HMV/Victor equivalent. For example, a Victor IV has 2 springs while the Columbia BII has 3 or in some cases even 4.

VintageTechnologies wrote:I find that sometimes one of the biggest headaches of spring repairs is unhooking the coupling shaft from the coils when two springs are coupled together in separate barrels. The coils can be wrapped very tightly around the shaft and it takes a lot of effort to turn the springs backward far enough to build up the torque to uncouple the hooks and pry the springs apart. I would like to hear how others manage that.

I agree but unfortunately I don't have any secret technique to reveal. This is usually where the reputed big big books of gramophones simply fly over. "Disengage the two springs". Thank you!

Best thing I could devise is to gently hammer the central shaft vertically with a non-metal (wooden or plastic) hammer while the coil still sits in the barrel. The hole in the spring is generally V-shaped, so the hook tends to disengage and slip downwards at the same time if it is hammered from the top. A soft material hammer shall be used in order not to flatten the top of the shaft.

I also find sometimes terribly difficult to engage the new (replacement) spring on the shaft's hook. The central winding is often very tightly pre-formed and it's a real pain having the shaft passing through it, not even to mention hooking it. Everything is more or less oily and slippery and the spring does its job - that is to spring - so you have nowhere to apply force. Again, I usually gently hammer the shaft in position with the spring already seated in its barrel, taking care that the hook is always almost in line with the hole on the spring.