The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've never had a spring get away from me. If I have one available, I put the spring barrel in a deep cardboard box, or tub, or ???
I reach down inside and do the dirty work in the box. The box helps to contain the mess. It's not meant to retain a flying spring however.

Curt A wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2023 6:57 am Jerry's correct: There is only one way to do it right - BUT, I have discovered many half a$$ed shortcuts...

I took a poll of my liver and kidneys. Survey says "Half assed Vitrola spring shortcut will outlast us"

But what the hell, I did it right anyway. Not too bad a job. I used red Mobile 1 grease
Motor is now almost *dead silent!* and starts spinning with only 3 winds. This is a relatively low time VV-80 I think, they usually whir a bit if I remember

Has anyone ever tried using an ultrasonic parts cleaner bath to get the gunk out of the spring and barrel before removing the spring?

I used it on small parts. Obviously those are great.

Regarding using an ultrasonic cleaner on mainsprings.
This question comes up in clock repair groups all the time. As Jerry Van stated, you need to removed the springs from the barrel in order to clean them properly. Water trapped in the coils will rust very quickly.

That being said, I use an ultrasonic cleaner in all my repairs, but everything is disassembled first.
Dave D

Thanks for reply. In other new whwn fast clean, get it working now is required I came up with submerging the whole damn thing on your favorite version of kerosene (mine happens to be good old diesel but that scare some people)
I put the while motor assembly balls and all into the fluid...... pull the plate off the spring barrel, relube. Some people are worried about the repercussions later in "The Year 2525" people will have to do it all again, but hell, they wont have no teeth won't have no eyes anyway. (-:

I use Kerosene for cleaning parts of clocks, guns, and phonograph parts in an Ultrasonic cleaner. Diesel is heavier (number 2) than Kerosene (number 1) and is similar to home fuel oil.

If you can find "Jet Fuel" it is a cleaner form of Kerosene.

Marc

Good old Jet A. Great idea. I will do that next time. Love the smell too.

travisgreyfox wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2023 3:41 am

PeteLeoni wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:25 pm I think I will just pull the springs out and then get a new house.

I accidently let a spring fly out in my garage one time and got black grease ALL OVER THE PLACE! My wife was sooo angry. I'm also messy with everything I do

As a amateur who pulled out a broken spring with no safety measures, put in a new spring in reverse by accident, wound the motor and broke the new spring, again pulled it out with a screwdriver with no safety measures, and finally replaced the broken spring for the second time the right way. That is relatable.