The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all.

We inherited a Columbia Grafonola (cabinet style) which is not quite working. I believe it is the arm that is the problem -- it does not appear to move freely enough. I can move it, but I have to give it a pretty good push/pull for what seems appropriate for a record player arm. When I attempt to play a record it will start to skip shortly after starting, I believe because the grove just can't push the arm.

I've taken the arm off, sanded both the arm and the socket, and added some lube. Perhaps not enough, perhaps not the right stuff. Perhaps not even the larger problem.

Can anyone provide some hints on what I can do to help the arm move more freely?

Also, what sort of keywords and business types should I look around for (I'm in the Seattle area) to give me the greatest chance of finding someone who might be able properly repair this?

Thank you!

Welcome to the forum. Many Columbia Grafonolas suffer from the same problem. The tonearm , elbow and socket are made from potmetal, which expands if not stored in ideal conditions. For the horizontal movement you have already started the right way. It may take a while to get the parts moving freely again, ideally one would machine both socket and shaft so they are perfectly round and fit snugly but move freely. The next problem miight be vertical movement of the tonearm in the elbow. This is more difficult to fix, because the potmetal parts crumble easily when one tries to take them apart. In the "Links" section of this forum you can find addresses of several phonograph repair people who can possibly help if you need it. There are also several other topics on this forum where Columbia tonearm problems and repair have been discussed in more detail.
Good luck
Andreas

I've had my columbia tone arm worked on by these people: http://www.shenandoahrestoration.com/. THey can even replace the elbow with a machined brass one should it break. They have done good work for me.

Go to any machine shop and get some valve laping compound Put some on the base of the arm and fit it. Work it back and forth ten times and take it apart and clean both the arm and base. Try it. from that point on go back and forth 5 times and ck. I have never not had this work.
Abe