Parlophone "Cantorette" portable

[Phono48]

I have just bought one of the above machines, made in Germany. It has a folding, retractable winding handle, which is spring loaded. I can get the handle to stay in, but it won't come out again. Something is missing! Has anyone got one of these machines, by any chance?

Barry

[soundgen]

Pictures would help

[Phono48]

Sorry, you're right!

The pictures show the handle in the "in" position, which is fine, but how does one get it to come out again? I can only get it out by pushing a screwdriver into the little recess in the shaft of the handle, which presses down a spring-loaded plunger, and releases the shaft. Should it work on the "press-to-open, press-to-close" principle, or is there some sort of button missing?

[estott]

I have a similar "Fortonette". It seems that there's enough friction to make the handle stay in, but if you push it in further and then release it the handle should pop out. Mine has the problem of not wanting to stay in.

I see that your machine is like mine - fitted with connections in the lid for an electric pickup. Mine desperately needs a proper Parlophone reproducer- presently it has one about 10 years too early.

[Phono48]

Estott, thanks a million. That's just what I wanted to know. Sorry to be a pain, but can you tell me if, apart from the screw going into the shaft (which is a repair), the handle on yours got anything attached to it that mine hasn't?

[estott]

Mine is missing the wooden part - just has the metal spindle.

BTW- I found pictures of one with the album still in the lid - it has the Parlophone insignia blind stamped.

[Phono48]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. I mean is there anything missing on the actual shaft? Something that would actuate the retacting pawl, which is is the rectangular hole on the shaft. If I stick a screwdriver in there, it presses the pawl down, and the crank pops out. Something must be missing that makes it do that automatically. Is that rectangular hole in yours covered with something?

Barry

[Phono48]

Can I give this one a nudge, please? Does anyone know what's missing on this crank that makes it slide out automatically as it should when it's pressed inwards? Any help on this appreciated. It's driving me crazy!

[estott]

I'll get back to you, but my machine isn't easy to get to at the moment.

[Phono48]

Thanks, I would be very grateful.