The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I made the stupid decision to remove the tonearm from my machine for greasing, all of the ball bearings fell out of their races, how does this go back together. I'm panicking, I hope it isn't ruined forever. There is 2 different ball sizes. How does this fit back together?

GrafonolaG50 wrote:I made the stupid decision to remove the tonearm from my machine for greasing, all of the ball bearings fell out of their races, how does this go back together. I'm panicking, I hope it isn't ruined forever. There is 2 different ball sizes. How does this fit back together?

what machine are you talking about? pictures would help too...
and don't worry, there's a way to fix it.

My Columbia portable, but good news, NO POT METAL!!!

Are the ball bearings loose in a circular race or are they inserted into individual spaces in a round metal piece? A pic would definitely help...

Loose in a circular race, pics won't be available as my iPods camera broke and that is all I have. There are 2 sizes of bearings.

Disaster averted, it's amazing what a little finesse, stubbornness, and redneck ingenuity can do. It's back up and playing.

Great to hear!

I will say I panicked when I removed the tone arm on my Japanese Orthophonic. I had to tediously set all the ball bearings and hold the plate together and then had to make sure it was all lined up. Those are a pain...Of course they sound good, but Orthos are pain all the way around from their reproducers and tone arms.

I think the biggest problem on Grafonolas is the fiber drive gear.

GrafonolaG50 wrote:Disaster averted, it's amazing what a little finesse, stubbornness, and redneck ingenuity can do. It's back up and playing.

glad to hear that!