The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just bought a vv-xi that won't wind, the crank just spins freely. I assumed it would be due to a broken spring. After pulling the motor out and getting the springs out I found they are both intact. The winding gear is slipping on the arbor. I think using a gear puller to bring it up against the gear catch would fix it but I don't want to damage the gear, can anyone tell me if there should be a gap between the winding gear and catch?

If the gear is slipping then it may be a missing or broken lock screw. I am not sure what to say, the picture was not very clear.

Perhaps the lock screw was not put into the slot on the arbor, causing the gear to slide around?

In the photo, I don't see the pawl that engages the ratchet wheel. Without the pawl, the ratchet wheel will not "catch" at each revolution of the winding key (Victorspeak for "crank") and wind up the motor springs. Maybe the pawl is there but doesn't show in the photo, or I missed it somehow?

Sometimes the pawl will get gunked up with grease and work sluggishly, sometimes failing. CDB

Also check the ratchet wheel teeth and pawl for any burrs. I had a VV-50 that needed the parts smoothed with a fine metal file.
Bob

I can't remember exactly, but I know there is a pin somewhere in the winding gear train. If this pin shears, the crank is no longer connected to anything. The pin can be hard to spot so have a good look around that area. You may need to clean a lot of gunk off to find it. If you could post some clearer pictures, including one of the complete motor, it would be easier for us to help you.

Jim

Thanks for all of your input, unfortunately I'm still stuck. I pulled one of the springs out in an attempt to get the center shaft out and look for a pin that holds the gear, but I'm still not able to get the center shaft out. The center shaft seems to have a wide sleeve that won't fit through the spring barrel but i can't get it off. I cleaned the motor a bit and took new pictures , any advice on getting the rest of this apart is greatly appreciated.

I believe you should be able to drive the shaft through the gear, in order to remove the gear. Once the gear is off, you'll see a slot in the backside of the gear and what should be a pin going through the shaft. I suspect you won't see the pin because it's sheared off but it's remains are probably still filling the pin hole.

Try to remove the gear by use of a gear puller or by supporting the backside of the gear while tapping the shaft to push it through.