The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I took down my little Edison GEM to play a quick cylinder today. I wound it up some and as all of a sudden the spring unwound. I said crud and turned it over and spring looked intact. I engaged the crank and wound it again and the spring tightened fully. but as soon as I release the crank it unwinds. I did not have time to investigate much but my guess id ratchet paw? I wound it and held the tension this time and but couldn't get the mandrel to turn. whats up with that

I had time today to get a better look and found pawl had jammed. freed it up and oiled and it it is holding tension again. the pin on the governor shaft that fits into the bearing got bent when it released pressure when pawl failed. i straightened it some but will get a new one soon

Sometimes these problems seem so easy once it is figured out but at the time it can be frustrating.

Thanks for the post it is always good to share lessons learned to help each other.