The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am working on a Columbia Grafonola and encountered a governor that I have never seen before. I don't do much work on Columbias so maybe this is a common piece, but it is new to me. Seems to be very complicated for a simple job. Any thoughts? I may need some advice on how to adjust the speed on this, but I will try it on my own first.
Dave D

Dave D
Thanks for your post.

I have the same governor on a Graphonola and I was not familiar with it either. I thought that it was some sort of anti shock governor?? I have no speed control issues with the motor and have done nothing special with the governor other than adjusting the governor shaft within the brackets. Mike

What model Grafonola is this ? Could you share pictures of the machine itself ?

I have Grafonolae ranging from a 1911-12 "Favorite" ( table model, with horn-doors like a Victrola ) through a "New Columbia" circa 1924-25, and none of them have a governor remotely like this...

Dave, I never saw a Columbia governor like this before. Looking at the fiber gear, it looks like an early Grafonola or later out side horn set up. Can you post a picture showing the whole motor? What machine is this motor for? I wonder if the original governor was swapped.
Harvey Kravitz

The rest of the motor seems pretty normal looking to me. Only the governor seemed odd in my opinion. Here is a photo of the whole motor. I need to take it apart and grease the springs. I only had it together enough to test that the springs were in the right way.
Dave D

mikejk wrote:Dave D
Thanks for your post.

I have the same governor on a Graphonola and I was not familiar with it either. I thought that it was some sort of anti shock governor?? I have no speed control issues with the motor and have done nothing special with the governor other than adjusting the governor shaft within the brackets. Mike

Glad to know that this is the right gov on this motor. Thanks.
DAve

Dave,
My motor is identical to yours and does run fine, although it has a rumble while running. Mine is mounted in a burled walnut 100 with the tilt out record bin. Mike