The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

After years of using guitar string, I have finally sourced the most PERFECT spring steel wire to fix wobbly Amberola/Opera machines that have broken or improper balance wire. The wire I am describing is illustrated inside the flywheel pictured here:



The wire I have has the perfect balance of spring temper and softness. For $2 I will ship a single strand of perfect .022" diameter spring wire which should be enough to fix 3 machines.

you'd be better posting this to "Yankee Trader" or tell us the secret if you want to post in "Machines".

Or sell this on e-bay, I didn't realize this was a for profit site. Regards, Johnny

Johnny Smoke wrote:Or sell this on e-bay, I didn't realize this was a for profit site. Regards, Johnny

It isn't "for profit", but we do post for-sale & wanted items - mostly in the Trader section, though.

ps - I was gonna order 8inch .022 springs, 10 for $6.98 with postage, from Wolff Gunsprings - but instead I used a piece from a long throttle return spring out of my junk box. Something like below:

(pps - I've seen the wire cut long enough to stick out of the groove, with the retaining wire jammed alongside it. I feel this is incorrect. I cut the balance wire so that it just comes flush with the bottom of the groove, then the retaining wire covers the ends & keeps it in place. )

Johnny Smoke wrote:Or sell this on e-bay, I didn't realize this was a for profit site. Regards, Johnny

Rather, the $2 is to cover postage.

48 cents for a one ounce package. Regards, Johnny

He's asking two lousy bucks! The absolute most he can make on this is $1.50 per, and he might - might be able to sell 10 or 20 of them here.

Seriously, You don't think the amount of time he spent finding this and testing it (and who knows how many alternatives) is worth anything?

You don't think the time he's saving you from having to do that research and testing is worth anything?

I sincerely hope you never plan to sell anything on this site.

Good lord, some people...

I've ordered mine.
Thanks for offering this, Wyatt.
Your helpfulness and enthusiasm is always appreciated!
Bob