The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for all the replies guys. The door problem is strange because its only the bottom of the right door that is bowed outward. The top is fine because it "clicks" into place just fine and closes fine with no resistance. It doesn't show any signs of water damage either. Maybe it was sitting in a damp environment and somehow the bottom just bent outward? The hinges look fine to me too.


Jerry, I will first try to bend the break back into place before buying another one. I haven't even taken it off the motor board yet.

Your new machine is wonderful and I'm sure you will enjoy it for many years to come. The VV-XVII is one of the most attractive Victrolas ever made...

HELP: My english teacher is still haunting me after 50 plus years...

The metal thing that stops the turntable from moving is a "brake", not a "break" (as in broken).
Sorry, this is not a criticism, just a drummed in OCD spelling obsession so please don't take this personally...

Travis, I bet you could shim the hinge at the bottom of that crazy door and get it to pop out a little further. It's almost 100 years old and furniture does weird things as the seasons change.

That brake was probably bent when someone opened the motor hatch without moving the brake first, I bet. It's an easy way to tear one up.

Does the motor run, or do you have a crank for it?

I think we need some "under the hood" photos

Congrats on a nice machine! You did well, I'd say.

I would echo what has already been said about the door and it's small warp. Leave it. Let the machine adjust to normal heat and dry air for a few months. My Vernis Martin XVI doors (ALL of them) would not shut. After the winter in my dry house, they all very nicely went back to their original state on their own and they've been fine ever since. Some "repairs" need not be rushed.

Sean

Beautiful machine! Congratulations!

Thanks guys! I really needed to find this machine. The wife (28 years old) has been having lots of bad news health wise, plus lots of other stuff has come up the last 6 months or so. I haven't had much time to enjoy the hobby and was kind of down and out for a while. This find has re-invigorated me and I am super excited to begin working on it.

As for the motor: It is just really gunky, tbh I haven't even cranked it and played it yet because I want to rebuild the motor first and get the correct reproducer put on.

Oh and JerryVan, can you please spellcheck the above for me I may have missed a comma or two

Travis,
Sorry to hear about your wife having health issues... Nothing is more depressing than that... Hopefully, she doesn't have something too serious or life threatening and will pull through it with your support. Just sending thoughts/prayers for her recovery...

Curt

travisgreyfox wrote:Thanks guys! I really needed to find this machine. The wife (28 years old) has been having lots of bad news health wise, plus lots of other stuff has come up the last 6 months or so. I haven't had much time to enjoy the hobby and was kind of down and out for a while. This find has re-invigorated me and I am super excited to begin working on it.

As for the motor: It is just really gunky, tbh I haven't even cranked it and played it yet because I want to rebuild the motor first and get the correct reproducer put on.

Oh and JerryVan, can you please spellcheck the above for me I may have missed a comma or two

Travis,

I think it was Curt who was playing English teacher today and not me. However, I DO like my commas!!!

Sorry to read about your wife. Hope things get better soon!

Phonographs are a nice distraction from our troubles, but meaningless compared to the health of a loved one. I hope that things get better for your wife. Best wishes to you both.