Another Columbia Grafonola tone arm problem

[seankerns]

Hi all,

Just bought my first gramophone, a Columbia Grafonola, a tabletop model. The machine is in good cosmetic shape, the motor winds, the platter spins, and it came with a bunch of needles. It even looks like the tone arm and reproducer (what little I know about them) even looks in good shape, but it has what appears to be a common problem. The elbow into which the tone arm fits is cracked at the front, and it won't move - well, with great effort it will - on the flange into which it fits on the cabinet. Looks like someone tried to force it and that's when they broke the collar on the elbow. There's enough left that the tone arm will mount, but until I get the pivot to work, it won't be playing any records.

I've seen some mentions about sanding or machining the elbow so it moves freely, but it seems like the first step is to removed the base and elbow from the cabinet, and then disassemble the elbow from the flange, and I don't see how to do either. I don't want to break anything worse than it is.

Also, is there a source for replacement or repro elbows? I would like to put one on that is all there if possible. I did see that Shenandoah Restoration will mount a brass one for $130, but that's as much as I pad for the whole thing, so I'm not quite there yet.

Thanks,

Sean

[FloridaClay]

Sean, welcome. I see you are a new member. I am sure you will soon get some good advice re the tone arm issue. There are some incredibly helpful and knowledgeable folks here and I don't doubt some with experience as to that particular issue.

Just a word of caution about using needles you get with a machine if you are new to collecting, unless they are in sealed original containers so you can be sure they have not been used. Used needles can do real damage to records (they should be changed with every record) and new ones are really cheap. I just throw loose ones that come with a machine out. Not worth the risk.

Clay

[seankerns]

Sean, welcome. I see you are a new member. I am sure you will soon get some good advice re the tone arm issue. There are some incredibly helpful and knowledgeable folks here and I don't doubt some with experience as to that particular issue.

Just a word of caution about using needles you get with a machine if you are new to collecting, unless they are in sealed original containers so you can be sure they have not been used. Used needles can do real damage to records (they should be changed with every record) and new ones are really cheap. I just throw loose ones that come with a machine out. Not worth the risk.

Clay

Hi Clay,

Thanks. I notice there is what I now know to be a "used needle" cup and several for new needles, but you're right, I don't know whether any of them are in good shape. I noticed that the instruction manual I found online says to use a new needle for every play? Certainly, that can't be necessary. I did see a couple of places to order needles. I'm kind of suprised though that I haven't found anyone selling a diamond or sapphire replacement that's longer lasting.

Thanks,

Sean

[FloridaClay]

I think most people here will likely agree that no more than 2 sides should be played with a steel needle. They wear quickly with play and turn into chisels.

Victor did make "Tungs-tone" tungsten needles that play a good deal longer, but they are now mostly collectors items too expensive to actually use.

There were also fiber needles and some folks use cactus needles. Others better informed than I can offer advice on that.

Steel needles are available in bulk on eBay and from any number of antique phonograph related dealers on line. I like soft or medium tone needles as they are less stiff than loud tone and gentler on records.

Edison Diamond Disc machines came with diamond needles and Pathé disc machines with a sapphire stylus. There may have been some made that can be used on Victors, Columbias, etc., but I haven't run across them.

You can find several threads here on the Forum regarding needles with a search.

Clay

[AZ*]

Do not use jeweled point needles on a lateral disk machine unless you want to ruin your records.

As for the elbow, contact Ron Sitko. He had some for sale. Don't know the price. Phone 518-371-8549. No web site.

[De Soto Frank]

Needles...

I just went through the needles in the two open cups of my Columbia "Favorite", and found several dozen that were unplayed.

If you're willing to take a little time, and examine each one with a magnifying glass and a good light, you can tell whether a steel needle has been played.

Holding the needle between a thumb and fore-finger, pointy-end towards you, slowly rotate the needle between your fingers, while looking at the tip: unused needles have a ball-shaped point. If you see bright, flat-spots that come and go as you rotate the needle, it has been used - throw it away.

If any needles show rust, throw them out.




De Soto Frank

[seankerns]

Needles...

I just went through the needles in the two open cups of my Columbia "Favorite", and found several dozen that were unplayed.

If you're willing to take a little time, and examine each one with a magnifying glass and a good light, you can tell whether a steel needle has been played.

Holding the needle between a thumb and fore-finger, pointy-end towards you, slowly rotate the needle between your fingers, while looking at the tip: unused needles have a ball-shaped point. If you see bright, flat-spots that come and go as you rotate the needle, it has been used - throw it away.

If any needles show rust, throw them out.




De Soto Frank

Cool, thanks. I bought some new ones, but I'll bet a lot of the ones that came with are unused. Now that I know what to look for, I'll sort through what I've got.

[seankerns]

Do not use jeweled point needles on a lateral disk machine unless you want to ruin your records.

As for the elbow, contact Ron Sitko. He had some for sale. Don't know the price. Phone 518-371-8549. No web site.

Thanks. I just scored a couple tone arms and reproducers on eBay. One had the elbow and flange. I'm hoping that solves my elbow problem.