The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Some photos of the motor: everything seems to be present and accounted for, except the screws that held the motorboard on the case.

And here it is, whirring merrily away: I suspect the mainspring may be detached or broken at the outer end, as I felt it slip during winding...

Glad you snagged it... nice find.

Progress report: Motor is cleaned and disassembled (except for the spring barrel); case has been cleaned up and nickel has been polished (crank escutcheon awaiting removal, after repeated dousing with Liquid Wrench).

Next up: opening the spring barrel and disassembling the reproducer.

Bill

Update: As I suspected, the mainspring was broken at the outer hole. It didn't look very strong to begin with, and it may have been kept wound up for I don't know how long. I will probably have it replaced.

One other complication: on close inspection, I found a single broken tooth in the bull gear. Whether this will present a serious problem, I don't know: it seemed to run well enough in the video. I would prefer either to have it repaired by a good machinist, or replaced entirely. Any recommendations for these repairs?

Finally, two of the tiny screws holding the cover on the reproducer have refused to budge, despite liberal applications of Liquid Wrench. I'll send it off for a rebuild: any suggestions there as well?

Bill

I'd recommend Wyatt Marcus for the sound box rebuild: [email protected].

If it were me, I'd send the spring, barrel, and gear to Ron Sitko. If he can repair the gear, it will all come back to you ready to drop into the rest of your motor.

Good luck - -

George P>

Thanks!

Bill