The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

RAK402 wrote:Does the carriage slid easily on its bar?

Thanks, RAK402! It looks like just a slide surface, no bearing, between the front of the carriage and the bed plate guide right where the lift lever sits. I did oil that too and the carriage moves smoother and easier than it ever has.

It is 'working' right now with only an occasional skip. (But it was working flawlessly since July with none of these remedies! ?)

Glad that it's working better, sir!

Skipping like crazy again!

This time I adjusted the half nut and noticed it is oblong and can slide forwards and backwards on the drive screw (90 deg to the direction it's supposed to track!)

So I'm definitely going to try a new half nut...

Try to see if it is definately skipping from the half nut/feed screw. Do you actually see it skipping a thread on the feed screw? It will be a very slight jump. You can feel it with your finger lightly on the half nut. It could also be skipping just from the reproducer/cylinder thread if the reproducer is not adjusted right.

Bob wrote:Try to see if it is definately skipping from the half nut/feed screw... You can feel it with your finger lightly on the half nut. It could also be skipping just from the reproducer/cylinder thread if the reproducer is not adjusted right.

Thank you Bob!

Yes, I think I can even hear it click right @ the half nut as is skips. (I can add finger pressure to the half nut to keep it from skipping but it also stalls the motor when I do.)
-Michael

Try adjusting the half nut again. Raise the small set screw that puts pressure on the spring to release the pressure. Slightly loosen the 2 screws holding the half nut spring. Make sure you keep the spring parallel to the piece above it. Set the half nut on the feed screw and adjust it back to front till it is centered and also nested into the threads of the feed screw. Put some light finger pressure on the half nut. Rotate the mandrel a little to make sure. Tighten the 2 screws and lightly screw down the set screw that puts pressure on the spring. That pressure should be set so when you lower the carriage to the bed plate there should be a gap the thickness of a paper clip when the half nut contacts the feed screw.
Bob

Thank you, Bob! Will try!