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Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:24 pm
by Big Beat
Here are some photos of the restoration:
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:26 pm
by Big Beat
Here's the machine today:
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:28 pm
by Big Beat
Even found original Ultona brochure inside, tough with the bottom torn off:
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:29 pm
by Big Beat
And just when I was almost done, this happened:
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:31 pm
by Dave D
Hi,
Congrats on your new purchase. Let us know if you need any motor parts. I would enjoy helping someone get started with free parts for this sort of project and I am sure others would not mind either.
Dave D
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:46 pm
by RAK402
Beautiful work!
Gorgeous machine!
Do you think something like JB Weld could be used to repair that tone arm?
I am new to this hobby, but have used JB Weld epoxy on antique toy trains, R/C helicopters, and full-sized automobiles. All of the repairs have been permanent, even in high stress/high vibration environments (some over 20 years old now).
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:59 pm
by estott
JB Weld is worth a try - or George Vollema should have the part
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 2:52 pm
by Big Beat
Success! I located a replacement part and got the Brunswick fully functional. It sounds a bit tinny, I guess the reproducer can stand to be rebuilt. But I will leave that to the new owner. It is for sale, from what I understand $350 should be a reasonable price to ask. The price includes an extra Ultona arm and reproducer that I scavenged for parts.
I will now see if I can get the Victrola XI running...
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 8:17 am
by Torjazzer
Something is amiss with the reproducer if it sounds tinny. In fact, Ultonas are known for their mellow tones.
Re: Newbie, considering a Victrola XI
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 9:05 pm
by Big Beat
Yippee, got the Victrola working too! The grinding noise and non-spinning turntable was due to the four bolts holding the motor working themselves loose, so that the motor had dropped about an inch lower in the machine than it should have been positioned. Easily diagnosed and remedied once I had the motorboard out. Oiled the motor, re-installed it, cranked it up with that crank I managed to locate, and voila, the thing plays records gain. That was the easy part, prettying up the cabinet took much longer. Will post some pics later.
The only issue now is the spring(s), I think. There are bumping noises when cranked, and not enough power to play the record all the way through. How easy or difficult is it to remedy this issue, and how would one go about doing it?