The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

First, my opinion:

Edison's use of those confounded driven in pins to hinge Edison Diamond Disc Reproducer stylus bars has got to be one of the worst methods of permitting vertical motion of a stylus bar there ever was. What was wrong with using threaded pins as with all of the Edison cylinder reproducer stylus bar pins? Obviously, straight driven in pins are far cheaper to produce...but was there no thought to the poor sole who needed to removed them?

Now, my frustration (and, I suspect, yours too if you've ever tried removing one of these pins):

I have yet to find the right method that is correct and simplest for driving out those confounded pins so that removing the stylus bar on the Diamond Disc reproducer is not a real pain in butt.

I have tried sewing needles, lengths of hardened wire, pulling on one end of the pin (which almost ALWAYS breaks it off eventually!), etc, etc, etc.....

Please....anyone out there that has had success in removing these Diamond Disc reproducer stylus bar pins let me know what you use to remove it that is easiest.

Thanks, in advance, for your method or ideas.

Doug

It does not always work, but...

Penetrating oil on the joints, allow to soak in, then a gentle push by hand with a regular straight pin to get it started, and needle nose pliers to get it the rest of the way.

I'd recommend slightly blunting the point on the straight pin first.

I've tried using an old stylus bar pin to do this, but a straight pin works better.

Be very carful if you try to hammer one pin into the other. You can easily damage the reproducer, diaphragm, and/or yourself doing this.

I have used a micrometer to measure the pin and then find a sewing needle that is slightly thinner. I grind the end of the needle until it is blunt. I first push the pin with a large punch from either side as far as it will go, until it is flush with the metal. Then I hold the blunt sewing needle with pliers, align the sewing needle with the pin, and give a firm shove to force the pin out a bit more. Jewelers magnifying glasses are a great help to see what I'm doing. I also have some smooth face pliers than I can grasp the end of the protruding pin and yank it out.

Thanks for your responses. I really appreciate them. I have never had much luck pulling on one end of the pin with needle nose pliers (or the slender nose vise grips which really gets a nice hold on the pin) unless the pin is out almost halfway. If the pin is out only about an eighth of an inch and I try pulling on it, it almost always snaps and after that sometimes the language I use can be just shameful It's a shame there isn't a tiny diameter punch we can use because I have bent a good many sewing needles trying to drive that pin out and my wife is not too pleased to see her sewing needles when I'm done with them. Good thing they're inexpensive I guess.

What has worked for me is to use a old lateral needle and a good pair of needle nose pliers. Hold the needle with the pliers and with the sharp end push the bar so enough is exposed to use the pliers to pull the pin the remainder. I always leave the pin in base. I just pull it far enough to remove the needle bar.

There is also a watchmaker/clockmaker tool called a pin press that allows small diameter hardened steel quills to be pressed slowly against the pin you wish to remove using a hand lever. I see these every now and again at flea markets.

Thank you Brad, John.

JohnM wrote:a watchmaker/clockmaker tool called a pin press

Hey John, if you locate a picture of the pin press you mentioned that might help in removing these DD reproducer stylus bar pins would you please post it here? Thanks, in advance.

Doug

I'm posting this while out running errands and only have my phone, but this press is quite similar to what I described although this press is struck with a mallet as opposed to pushing down upon a lever. Same idea.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pin+pre ... 5SAn4pM%3A

I know someone who works at Macy’s department store in their watch section; they use something like that all the time for sizing watches. This would be great for reproducer rebuilds!

Hey folks

Here's what I use. This pin punch is about the same size as the DD stylus pin.

http://www.esslinger.com/replacementpin ... t70mm.aspx

Hope this helps.

John