The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If this screw is incorrect, it should be removed correct?

Wes

I removed the screw and there appears to be a dimple in the mandrel shaft for it to seat to.

Wes

Ok, I'll see if I can look through my spare set screws and see what I can come up with. I'll update y'all with any changes.

Wes

I replaced the incorrect screw and will be heading to the local guitar center tomorrow to pickup the appropriate wire and will update the results once its done.

Wes

Here's a lifetime supply of wire for $5.

Just updating this to let you know that changing the tension wire did not do the trick. I do note serious changes when I tighten and loosen the set screw that I replaced in the flywheel. Any further ideas? I haven't tackled the governor yet, but I really don't feel that its the culprit. Thanks to all for the input so far!

Regards, Wes

Wes:
The flywheel must be allowed to have a small amount of front-to-back play on the mandrel shaft. The set screw heads must be small enough to fit recessed in the flywheel holes while the flywheel stays loose. If you find that tightening the screws binds up the flywheel you should back them off so they don't. Using a small dab of Permatex Threadlocker Green (available at any auto parts store) on the tip of the screw threads before installation will secure the screws without the need to tighten them too much. There are other thicknesses of threadlocker, but the green allows for easy disassembly if necessary.
With the spring wire in place the rotating flywheel "floats" on the mandrel shaft, isolating it from any remaining mechanism flutter.
I hope this helps!
Bob

downsouth wrote:I do note serious changes when I tighten and loosen the set screw that I replaced in the flywheel. Any further ideas? I haven't tackled the governor yet, but I really don't feel that its the culprit.

If possible please share some closeup pictures of both sides of your Opera flywheel showing the wire in place and the screws. A video with sound while playing a passage of a cylinder (preferably an instrumental one as opposed to a speaking one) would also be helpful in diagnosing the problem. As Bob alluded to as well as myself earlier, the flywheel with wire and screws in place must have some play to perform its duty properly.

The large screw that was seen in place in the picture of your Opera flywheel clearly indicates that someone in the past has messed around with your Opera flywheel - if not the entire drive train (yikes!)

I also remain suspicious that the governor could be a contributor to the problem particularly if the friction disc is not rotating perfectly true (or nearly so), is not moving completely freely on the governor shaft or any of the governor weights / governor springs are out of whack. The Opera governor can be easily removed, inspected, disassembled and cleaned without a hassle. By loosening / removing only the governor shaft bearing on the friction disc end of the governor you should not have any worries about maintaining the current governor positioning before removal since the governor bearing on the worm gear end remains in place from the factory. Of course, you need to assure that the governor collar is reinstalled exactly where it was when you removed and cleaned the parts. Obviously, assure that any motor tension is completely removed should you decide to remove the governor.

There's a lot going on with the Edison Opera motor drive train and getting it to play perfectly takes time and patience so hang in there.

Doug

Thanks for all the help guys. I've had to leave the Opera dilima for a few days due to my hours at work. As soon as I can, I'll get back to it and again try to solve this mystery!

Wes