The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Anna-marie Berliner wrote:Thank you!! Just tried it and finally it worked. I would have never in a million years thought that was the problem.

Awesome! Didn’t hurt to ask. Over here no question is dumb, and we don’t bite!

Folks, these are MECHANICAL machines that often require adjustment. You have to adjust them until they hit the "sweet spot." Hence the adjustment screws on the ratchet. It's kind of like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. You know - too hot, too cold, just right.

I think many people are too accustomed modern digital things that either work or they don't. Mechanical machines that were built in the last century have some play (or slop) and need to be adjusted or fine-tuned. I have an old car, and setting the dwell can sometimes be a challenge. Dwell angle needs to be at around 33-34 degrees. So you adjust it by trial and error. 39 degrees -- too much, 27 degrees -- too little, 30 degrees -- getting close, 32 degrees -- close enough. Done.