The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

As Curt and Governor Flyball are saying the governor has two bearings that can be adjusted. There is a bearing on each end of governor that can be adjusted a little at a time. That could adjust it towards the speed control fork that is controlled by the knurled speed control nut. In your picture you have the knurled speed control nut set at its fastest speed. That nut takes the place of the model A above the plate speed adjustment. They moved the speed control below the plate on the model B and later models except the ITC models which are used for learning languages and other courses. Those bearings could be also stuck. Make sure if you make any adjustment that the governor still spins freely. I have added Kroil oil or WD 40 to loosen them up. Hopefully you will not have to lightly tap on them to loosen them up. Be careful as the pins on the governor can get bent and that will give you more problems. I do not recommend you removing the governor just adjusting it back and forth if needed. It should have a small amount of play in it after adjustment. Removal requires more parts to be removed and freeing up the gov. bearings. Tom

Sorry about the confusion... it's been a while since I worked on an Edison Standard.

The speed control nut is under the edge of the bedplate and is not accessible from the top. So, you have to lift the edge of the bedplate to see it and adjust it. It's not as user friendly as the models with the speed control sticking up through the bedplate... As Tom said, it looks like it is set wide open, so turn the nut the other way to slow it down.

Yes i know about the speed adjustment screw.... although I had thought I set it so that the phonograph would spin slower.... Can someone show me via the picture I sent, or maybe one you have which screws on the govenor I should adjust? I am pretty new at fixing these, so I am very eager to learn the right way to fix them! I can work on it this weekend, and I will get back to you guys how it gooes.

Hello

Welcome to the world of phonograph collecting and restorations. There are two curses which come with this hobby.
1. Your collection is never big enough
2. There is always something to learn

I suggest that you start with the purchase of Eric L. Reiss' book "The Complete Talking Machine"
It is a great book which covers how phonographs work, how to repair them and how to identify different types.
Usually this book shows up on ebay or other sites for the $ 30 range and is worth every penny.

Best of Luck

Bruce

dzavracky wrote:Yes i know about the speed adjustment screw.... although I had thought I set it so that the phonograph would spin slower.... Can someone show me via the picture I sent, or maybe one you have which screws on the govenor I should adjust? I am pretty new at fixing these, so I am very eager to learn the right way to fix them! I can work on it this weekend, and I will get back to you guys how it gooes.

Did you try adjusting that speed control screw out.?? That should slow it down. Tom

On the governor, at the opposite end to the brass disc, you'll see 3 screws that secure the springs with the ball weights, and there's also a 4th set screw which secures that end of the governor assembly to its shaft.
If you losen that 4th screw, you should be able to slide the whole assembly along the shaft, bringing the brass disc closer to the speed control pads.
Then tighten the set screw again and give it a try
Hopefully any further speed adjustments can be made via the speed control nut.

By any chance are their any collectors in the Knoxville area that could go over and help?

"Can someone show me via the picture I sent, or maybe one you have which screws on the govenor I should adjust?"
Per gramophoneshane: "On the governor, at the opposite end to the brass disc, you'll see 3 screws that secure the springs with the ball weights, and there's also a 4th set screw which secures that end of the governor assembly to its shaft.
If you losen that 4th screw, you should be able to slide the whole assembly along the shaft, bringing the brass disc closer to the speed control pads.
Then tighten the set screw again and give it a try"

As has been stated in this thread, your governor assembly is positioned too close to the gear assembly, making it impossible to set the speed slower. Using your own photo, I've put together the simple procedure necessary to correct the issue.

Also as has been stated earlier, always make sure the machine is completely run down before attempting to adjust the governor. It looks to me that the governor is already positioned about as far as it can be on its shaft, so it may not be an option to move it further on its shaft.

I hope this helps,
Fran

I'll also add that if moving the governor's position doesn't help, it's possible that someone may have used weight springs that are too long.

Best,
Fran