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Hello,
I found this item today with some 1908 one sided Victor records. It reads: CONDON-AUTOSTOP Pats. 1909/1911. Condon-Autostop Co. N.Y. MFRS. It weighs 1 lb. Does anyone happen to have any information about this? Any idea how it works?
thanks
Pete

Its a Condon Auto-stop - which was a device for stopping the turntable at the end of the record. The device sits atop the record label on the spindle (similar to a hold down without the threads)... you will notice a small flat spring stock hook on the edge of the device. This caught a similar flat bent hook that mounted to a Victor Exhibition reproducer behind the flange screws. Once the hooks linked the rubber pads on the bottom of the device stopped the turn table...or made some really nice rub marks on your label as the rubber dried out .

I've been meaning to post a wanted ad on TMF for an exhibition hook for the Condon Stop on my VTLA for a long time.

The Condon Auto-Stop was used on disk machines that did not have an automatic brake. You'd place the stop over the record, adjust the slide, and when the knife blade attached to the reproducer reached it, it would catch and gently stop the turntable with its own weight. The knife blade piece is often missing-you'd attach it to your reproducer, and they'd get separated eventually.
Here's what the two pieces look like. Yours is missing the rubber disks on its bottom. They need to be replaced anyway, as they become rock-hard over time.
Bob

I took a closer look at the often-missing knife blade piece, and wonder if it could be replicated by someone who has some metalworking skills. It's made in two pieces and bent together with a metal tab. Anyone out there willing to try making some replacements?
Bob

Hello,
Thanks for all the great information! I did find this other piece in a bag with the reproducer. It must be the other piece for the stop!
Pete

You're very lucky! All you need to do is to find some thin black rubber to make three replacement discs. Maybe inner tube? Here are some scans of the instructions I have: Bob

I love the way these used to be written "a slight moistening will be most effective." It's like vulcan/android speak on star trek.

"Brace yourselves. The area of penetration will no doubt be...sensitive."

- Spock, The Immunity Syndrome (ST:TOS, Season 2, Episode 18)

flashpanblue wrote:Hello,
I found this item today with some 1908 one sided Victor records. It reads: CONDON-AUTOSTOP Pats. 1909/1911. Condon-Autostop Co. N.Y. MFRS. It weighs 1 lb. Does anyone happen to have any information about this? Any idea how it works?
thanks
Pete

Of course if you have the Paul/Fabrizio "Gadgets & Gizmos" book, you would find all the info in there... .