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I don't own a 30 but offered to look at one for a friend who said his wasn't working right. The only pic I found online of the motor shows that the spring is enclosed in a spring barrel? Is there a version with an open spring or did all have a spring barrel?

Thanks- Steve

All Amberolas had spring barrels: the only Edison with an unenclosed spring was the Gem.

Bill

I was going to send Schweg a PM about being cautious when removing the mandrel on an Amberola 30, 50 & 75 before the motor is run down but I thought others might benefit from a post. I learned the hard way. I had the governor controlled by the on/off lever and thought I could remove the mandrel without a problem. Wrong! Apparently, the mandrel is in series and ahead of the governor. When I removed the mandrel, the spring discharged in an instant and ruined a gear on the mandrel shaft. If someone else can describe my error more clearly, please do so.
Jerry Blais

Yes, The 30, 50 and 75 all have a spring barrel. The 50 and 75 have a double-spring barrel while the 30 just has a single spring barrel.

I've never heard of or seen a 30 without a Spring Barrel.

Make sure that you're also looking at a 30, and not a Amberola X or DX, They had old Fireside motors, but I'm pretty sure that they had Spring Barrels as well. Curious, What made you ask the question?? As mentioned, only the Gem had an exposed Spring.

)

Tony K.
Edison Collector/Restorer

Thanks for your replies. When I look in this 30, I can see the spring partly unwound inside the cabinet and no spring barrel. I was unable to get the crank out either since there is no resistance. I think I will contact my friend to see who might have "repaired" it in the past..

Steve

I just looked again and don't see an id tag. Maybe it is an earlier model dx with a gem motor? I can't find my edison cylinder book so am operating in the dark w/o it right now. I will look at the phono tomorrow after work again but suspect it might be a gem motor

According to Frow,

The Amberola X (A,B,&C) versions used components of the Edison GEM Model D&E open spring motors.

The D-X used the Fireside motor.

I think that answers that. Now to figure out how to get it open w/o "shooting my eye out"..

some pics would be very nice i wonder if it is a 30

schweg wrote:I think that answers that. Now to figure out how to get it open w/o "shooting my eye out"..

Ralph.......your going to shoot your eye out..!!!. Put down that Red Rider.... .