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Does anyone know how a mandrel on an Edison is held on its shaft? I am trying to get a damaged one off to replace it.

It's just friction. Clamp the mainshaft tightly and the mandrel should be able to be twisted off. Penetrating oil beforehand may help.

George P.

Thanks George. It took a total of 3 minutes to get the old one off and another on.

I'm wondering how to remove the mandrel shaft altogether from the base? I want to completely disassemble the mandrel/shaft/pulley but everything seems pretty stuck tight. The one piece that seems like the piece that would need to come out is the conical shaped part that fits inside the cast arms on top. I've attached a few pictures which may help. The three set screws in the picture come out just find but nothing wants to budge out after I remove the screws. What am I missing? This is a Home model Edison phonograph.

I added another picture to demonstrate the part I think I need to remove to get the shaft out

You're right - - the part you refer to was called a "center" in Edison literature, but these days we usually call it a "bearing."

1) Remove the set screws holding the bearing, pulley, and spacer just to the left of the feedscrew.

2) Apply good penetrating oil (such as Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster) to the empty holes and on each end of each part mentioned in #1.

3) Let the penetrating oil sit overnight.

4) Next day, grasp the mandrel in your right hand (rubber gloves are good for this step), and then grasp the pulley with your thumb and index finger of your left hand. Now twist in opposite directions. The pulley should break loose from the main shaft. Repeat the procedure with the spacer. By twisting and gently pulling the mandrel/mainshaft to the right, you should be able to remove the pulley and spacer. CAREFULLY guide the feedscrew through the casting to remove the mandrel/mainshaft. The conical bearing can be removed with a wooden dowel and light tapping with a mallet or hammer (but no metal-to-metal contact).

If I were you, I'd remove the conical bearing from the endgate too, and thoroughly clean everything. GoJo or Goop will get the gunk off the casting if allowed to soak in for a few hours.

Good luck!

George P.

Got it!!!:):):) Super Big Thank You!! Now for the next big question...how should a guy go about cleaning the cast top? I don't want to rub the paint off especially the pin striped gold but there's decades of caked on grease and rust that I'd like to "try" to remove the best I can. I saw a gentleman on youtube dip his in diesel overnight but I was really hesitant to do that just because I wouldn't be able to protect some parts from the diesel. Is there a compound anyone trusts? I used a little barkeepers friend on it and that was no match for the rust/gunk. I thought about steel wool but seems like that would be too much. I'd rather do the process chemically than with elbow grease but not sure if that can be done.

Sorry I just saw your post about Goop/Gojo. Is that the orange peel stuff? Do you just let it sit in that in a bucket of diluted water just apply the gojo with say a toothbrush then wipe off?

hangumhi wrote:Sorry I just saw your post about Goop/Gojo. Is that the orange peel stuff? Do you just let it sit in that in a bucket of diluted water just apply the gojo with say a toothbrush then wipe off?

Use GoJo or Goop (non-pumise) hand cleaner that comes in a little tub. Just apply it with your fingers and use it generously on built-up areas. Avoid any abrasives such as a Barkeeper's Friend, a toothbrush or steel wool - - you're dealing with century-old paint and pinstriping. Just let the Goop or GoJo sit for awhile, then wipe it off. I've left it on overnight on built up areas. It won't hurt the pinstriping.

George P.

I totally agree with George... GoJo or Goop works great and will work on wood cases as well.

Additionally, to your question about diesel fuel or kerosene, it is totally harmless to any motor parts, gears, springs, etc. - just a little smelly and messy. Both of these will work in a pinch to remove any old grease or gunk. Carburetor cleaner will work too, but don't get it on painted surfaces...