The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am trying to take the exhibition reproducer off of my Victrola XVI, but I can't get it to budge. Does anybody have any ideas on how I can get this thing off so I can rebuild it?

-Steve

First of all, be sure you're trying to turn it the correct way, i.e., toward you (CCW when facing the diaphragm side) to remove. Then, since the contact zone between sound box and goose neck is metal-to-metal, I would spritz a very small amount of Power Lube at the back gasket/goose neck joint, and let it run in by capillary action. After a minute or two, try twisting the sound box as above. With luck it should turn and come off.

I recommend Power Lube, which is available at many hardware and auto parts stores, because it's a very thin liquid that readily penetrates into tight spaces. It was formerly known as CRC-556 and used extensively by auto mechanics. The stuff works, and a little goes a long way---enough for many stuck sound boxes! Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

I'd try a little heat from a hair dryer. You might take the reproducer and U-tube off the tone arm so you can get a better grip on things. It will come off. Jerry

I tried the hair dryer technique, and the thing still simply won't budge. I won't be able to go out and get power lube today, but I might be able to tomorrow. I have WD 40, would that have any chance of working?

-Steve

Personally, I avoid WD-40, as it's not really a lubricant but a "WaterDispersal" product, or so I've read. Others swear by it. Power Lube is a true lubricant, useful for lots of stuff around the house. I've used it for years and never been disappointed. And although I've not tried it on stuck sound boxes, I wouldn't hesitate to try it on my Exhibition if I needed to!

If there's an Ace Hardware near you, they probably have Power Lube on the shelf; at least, they do around these parts.

I think I have run into the worst case scenario: the brittle old rubber flange broke in two. I am now stuck with the brass ring stuck on the tone arm. Though, it did budge slightly after the WD 40. Now what should I do?!

-Steve

I would just keep trying to work it off...if the rubber flange is broken its no big deal...new ones are available, and this should be replaced anyways. if you can break away at the old flange and set the reproducer aside. I would take the u-tube off and just put some of that power lube in there and turn it. I have used WD-40 with good results for removing stubborn parts, but a good lubricant will be better when you put it back together.

I let it soak for several hours in WD 40, but to no avail. I even tried twisting it free with pliers. I guess I'll have to see if I get better results with power lube. I will keep you all posted. Also, if you have anymore ideas on how I can get this darned flange off please let me know!

-Steve

Since the flange is toast, you could carefully cut it off with a Dremel. If the lubricant doesn't work, a cut with a Dremel is a safe solution. Any marks from the blade would be covered by the new flange.
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Jerry Blais

oldphonographsteve wrote:I think I have run into the worst case scenario: the brittle old rubber flange broke in two. I am now stuck with the brass ring stuck on the tone arm. Though, it did budge slightly after the WD 40. Now what should I do?!

-Steve

What you need to do is fairly simple and easy. I've removed plenty of stuck reproducers and the Exhibition is pretty easy once you know how.

1. remove the 2 gold plated screws that are holding the old rubber flange (what remains of it) to the body of the reproducer by turning the screws counterclockwise

2. now you have removed the most important part of the Exhibition reproducer and only the old rubber flange remains stuck to the gooseneck. You can now see what is holding the flange good and tight. Get some pliers and remove what you can of the remaining old rubber flange by simply and carefully pulling it away from the gooseneck.

It would be easier to do this by first removing the gooseneck itself from the tonearm by carefully removing (turning counterclockwise) the gold plated gooseneck screw that attaches the gooseneck to the tonearm.

3. now that the body of the reproducer is out you can see that the rubber flange was secured to the gooseneck with a metal collar.

Carefully (!!) using Channelock pliers or some other pair of pliers that allow you to "feel" when you have just enough tension on that ring, turn the ring counterlockwise until you see that the collar "key" is positioned appropriately to allow that collar to be pulled straight out.

4. pull the collar straight out and you are done!!

Go slow. Go carefully. Use some lubricant around that collar to help ease it out. Be very careful using the pliers. You'll do just fine.

5. call Ron Sitko to purchase a new rubber flange. Put it on the body of the reproducer, install it and you are ready to use your reproducer again. While it's out rebuild it with new gasket material that Ron also has.

Good luck,

Doug