The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Even after hosing it down with liquid wrench I still can't get the pin that holds the stylus bar in to move. It will move a little bit but it's very hard to get it to move at all. Now a little piece has snapped off which leaves me with less surface area to work with. I've rebuilt several diamond disc reproducers and never had this problem. Any suggestions of something strong enough I can use to drive it out? I was able to measure the diameter of the pin and it is about .025". Maybe a drill bit that small?

Perhaps Ron Sitko can be of assistance. You might consider calling him with your questions.

You may find a small diameter pin punch, perhaps from a set of watchmaker's tools, will help you free up the pin. You might also try heat or cold.

I do recommend replacing the original pin with a longer version so that it can be more easily removed in the future.

Would one of these work? http://pacificinstruments.us/products
I also found these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ten-Solid-Carbi ... 2567104cbf
If nothing else could I try to drill it out?

52089 wrote:You may find a small diameter pin punch, perhaps from a set of watchmaker's tools, will help you free up the pin. You might also try heat or cold.

I do recommend replacing the original pin with a longer version so that it can be more easily removed in the future.

Should I put it in the freezer?

Hi Nick- For years I have used the same cheap, "jeweler's" screwdriver---the kind you can buy at flea markets for $3 a set.. silver, metal handles. I hold it on the side of a grinding wheel, turning it to grind a round, tapered sharp point on it. I then rub the point on a piece of emery cloth just enough to put a tiny, flat surface on it. I've been able to use it to drive out the pins on DD and Diamond B & C reproducers. When the point gets flattened too much I just regrind it. I bet that one old cheap screw driver has pushed out at least 50 pins over the years. I'm sure there is a more expensive tool that will do the job, but on the cheap, I've had great luck with my little "re-purposed" screwdriver.

Brad Abell

Hi again Nick-- I've attached a couple pictures of the screwdriver I ground down-- simple, but has worked fine-- As you can see I've reground it many times over the years. It's getting short... but actually it's easier to control when it's short. Hope this helps. The pins can be stubborn and take some patience, (try, try again) but I don't think drilling it would work. You will inevitably enlarge the hole and the new pin may not hold well.

Brad Abell

Thanks!

Well now it's snapped off even more and it seems impossible to get it out. OMG I'm so freaking pissed right now!!! It was a good stylus and now I've ruined it because I cant even dissassemble it! Is there any tool that is the same diameter as the pin that I could use to drive it out?

I have been able to push them out like that with a sewing needle that I've ground the sharp end down on. You can find one that's almost the same size, but smaller than the pin in the Edison. You can sometimes heat it up with a soldering iron and then touch it with and ice cube to try and get it to loosen. They can really be vexing, that's for sure.