The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It may be installed upside-down.

thanks for all the advice. I never took this gearing apart, so I'll have to do so and keep an eye out for what you've all mentioned. a misinstalled or broken or missing spring would make sense, otherwise it's still difficult to understand why this would catch and work fine upside down, but not right side up.

On my VV-50s there is no spring with the winding pawl. I have seen these winding pawls not catch at all when they were all gummed up with hardened grease. I have also seen them not catch when outside/upside-down. Therefore I would investigate if it has been installed in reverse at some point and if it is moving freely. The VV-50 motor is usually very simple and not problematic.

Good luck!
Andreas

I am thinking the pawl is reversed, crank it so the pawl crawls along the top of the gear. It should hold that spot. Be sure you got that set screw in all the way into the indentation as well. I have many VV50 photos if you need more help.