The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The first thing I noticed is the platter is a little higher on one side than the other. There are no bearings under it or around the shaft (unless there isn't supposed to be). With the platter off it takes a pretty firm pinch on the shaft to get it to slow down. The 78 I'm using (the only one I have readily available) is one I found in a Victrola cabinet that was in the house when I bought it. It is hard to date but it is a Mercury Merco Plastic record by Frankie Lane doing Dream a Little Dream of Me and Music Maestro Music. The jacket says American Recording Corporation but might not be the right jacket.

Some of the things mentioned earlier I'm not sure what they are but will keep trying. If it is possible to add some pictures. it would probably make things easier for me to figure out. I might try stopping by an antique shop tomorrow if they are still open when I get off work and look for another record. Let me know if there is anything in particular I should be looking for.

Thanks Again,
Todd

" There are no bearings under it or around the shaft"

The ball-bearing they are referring to is a single steel ball, under the end of the turntable shaft (it supports the bottom of the shaft).

That record is a very probable cause.

RAK402 wrote:" There are no bearings under it or around the shaft"

The ball-bearing they are referring to is a single steel ball, under the end of the turntable shaft (it supports the bottom of the shaft).

I take it it is not something I can see by taking the platter off.

Yep..that record is made for electric machines in the 1950s. I had that problem when I was starting out, I played a Capitol record on the machine and it slowed down.

Find a period record, and see what that does (early one that says Victor or Victrola etc.)

I agree, the first suspect in your case is the record. That is from the 50s and should not be played on a Victor machine. The material is too soft and the grooves may be too narrow. Before trying anything else I would get a few records from the first quarter of the century and try those. Depending on where you live there may be a forum member nearby who can help you out.

Andreas

Thanks, I went by an antique store today and looked through about 50 records looking for some with larger labels. Only 2 had just slightly bigger labels than the Mercury I have. They had a few Victor recordings but I was primarily looking for larger labels. One is a Columbia Masterworks and the other a Majestic. If neither of them work I'll try a Victor on Saturday. Only $1 each so probably should have gotten a few more.

Thanks

"One is a Columbia Masterworks and the other a Majestic."

These records are too "new" for your machine... I am attaching a few commonly found labels that are of the appropriate time period (1920's or before).

Also, how about posting pics of your machine...

I went through a pretty big assortment of records at the antique mall and none of them seemed to look like any of those. I guess I'll have to keep looking. Anyway, here are a few pics of my machine after many hours of restoring. It came out of an attic after an unknown number of years of storage and was pretty much completely taken apart. The record on it is the one that won't play and is just there for the pics.
Thanks for all of your help and have a Harry Holiday Season.

Todd