The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I need a new spring for my Heineman double spring motor, I have found a NOS spring on ebay for $25. Should i get a new made spring or the NOS spring?

I would get a new spring. The nos one has been stored wound up tight for a long time. It probably has lost some power. New ones are about the same price from Ron Sitko.

I was going to start a new topic on this subject, but I see a related one has already begun. I've been collecting phonographs for decades, and every now and then I hear the statement that an old spring can lose power over time. Years ago, I knew a local collector who insisted that a phonograph should be stored with the spring fully wound down, in order to preserve the strength of the spring. I personally have never known of a phonograph with diminished power that was attributable to a weakened spring. So, a few questions come up: How significant is this concern? What proof is there that this is problematic? Has anyone done any comparison tests?

Some points learned over the years.

1. Yes, a new spring is generally more powerful than an old spring. However, often just cleaning and re-greasing the old spring and oiling the motor bearings, etc. will restore more than enough power. If you release a new spring from the wire or C shaped holder, it will usually release itself and expand to cover a larger area. I've had weakened Victor springs than only expanded to less than 12 inches, while the replacement new spring expanded to 2 to 3 feet.

2. If you have a 2 spring motor, it's best to replace both springs so they will be of equal strength, and that way you will not be putting undue tension on the old spring. However, you might get by with just replacing one spring, and never have an issue.

3. Some folks do recommend letting the motor run down after playing. It's probably a good idea if you don't plan to play the machine for an extended period. But if you plan to play it daily, then you are probably don't need to. Besides, running it while it isn't playing could contribute to negligible gear and bearing wear. So it's a trade off. Just don't store it for extended periods fully wound. If you do decide to let it run down, there is a risk of having the inner end of the spring detach from at the center if the turntable coasts too long.

4. I bought an NOS spring for under $10 a few years ago, and it worked great and had plenty of power. It was not "wound up tight," but in the same size holder as a new spring, and the holder was only slightly smaller than the dimension of the spring barrel. Other folks may have had different experience.

5. Comparison test. I had a machine with a small 1 spring motor. Even after a complete overhaul and spring cleaning and greasing, it could not make it through a 10 inch record. I suspect the motor had been wound tight and stored that way for many years, but I can't say for certain as it wasn't in my possession for its first 90 years. The replacement spring (the NOS one) is much more powerful and can make it through a 12 inch record with power to spare. If you have a 2, 3 or 4 spring motor, you may not notice as much difference.

Like you say, I also have had weak springs. When I pulled them out they lay on the bench no bigger than a dinner plate. A new spring is easily 2 - 3 feet in dia when unwound.

startgroove wrote:I was going to start a new topic on this subject, but I see a related one has already begun. I've been collecting phonographs for decades, and every now and then I hear the statement that an old spring can lose power over time. Years ago, I knew a local collector who insisted that a phonograph should be stored with the spring fully wound down, in order to preserve the strength of the spring. I personally have never known of a phonograph with diminished power that was attributable to a weakened spring. So, a few questions come up: How significant is this concern? What proof is there that this is problematic? Has anyone done any comparison tests?

You're fortunate then. Weak springs are a very common problem. I've encountered many. Seems to me that Victors are the most at risk. Maybe that's just my experience though.

Personally, I think the NOS spring would be o.k. It's really no more "wound" than any other spring that has sat for 75 years in a wound down motor. My feeling about new springs is that they are way too strong. If you have a double spring motor and buy just one new spring, (to replace a broken one), it will easily overpower the existing spring. Best to get 2 new springs, (or 3, or 4, depending on your particular motor).

If you had the option of buying a NOS spring or new spring, for the same price, which would you buy? I personally would buy a new one.