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Hi everyone. I brought home a new baby today for a steal. It's a nice mostly untouched C-19. I purchased it because I've always wanted one, and the price was right. The main problem with the unit is that it will not crank. I don't have a lot of experience with repairing motors, though I've done minimal work on them. I have another Edison DD, and when I wind it, I can feel the mechanism catching to hold the winding mechanism so that the spring will tighten. On my c-19, I don't feel anything "grabbing" when I start to wind. The crank just spins and spins and the spring barrels turn freely with no apparent hope of winding. Could there be a mechanism that is broken? Or is this the symptom of a broken spring (or in this case springs since it's a two barrel motor)? I'd really appreciate any help!

Thank you!
Ed.

Below is a photo of the machine... yes, the cloth in the grille will be replaced. It's terrible.

I would say broken springs.

Bill K

If you are winding and nothing is happening, sounds like one of the main springs. The C-19 also uses a small, coiled spring around the winding arbor, removing the cotter key, and removing the winding shaft will reveal a tightly coiled spring around the winding arbor, and a bent piece of steel with a hole for the shaft, and a 90 degree bend in the top, the spring should be sticking through a little hole on top of the bend, if it is not the winding arbor spring is broken, sometimes you can uncoil a turn of this and stick it through the hole, and it will work, the spring keeps tension on the metal piece, that wedges in the gear, to keep the spring from unwinding, sometimes if this is broke, the machine probably unwound with enough force to unhook the main spring from the winding shaft. The Diamond disc uses two 25' springs, and they are bears, so eat your Wheaties before tackling them!

Attached is a video of what the machine is doing (or not doing in this case). With the motor in this position, it spins ans spins. When I had it sitting on its side with pressure against the winding post, the spring seemed to catch and wind when I turned the barrel by hand. Not sure if that means anything. Anymore thoughts?

Looks like the spring is certainly broken

Well, drats. I've been toying with the idea of just transplanting the entire motor, I've done that with a Victor machine. Easier, and probably safer than messing with the springs. At least I'll have this motor for spare parts.

Ed,
If you are at all mechanically inclined, you can certainly rebuild your own motor. Yes the springs are a bear. I did my C-19 and the springs required some strength to wind into the barrels, but I am no body builder. I'd recommend reading the posted Edison Diamond Disc Motor guide to see the process of spring replacement. The main thing is to not let it get away from you. Use common sense, protective clothing and safety glasses.

If you're still hesitant you might consider sending the barrels to one the repair services out there and let them do the replacement/re-lube. It's much cheaper than a whole rebuild, you'll get a chance to learn how the machine really works and you'll keep the machine as originally built. What ever you end up doing, good luck!
- Martin

EdisonH19 - check your private messages.

Thanks everyone. I've watched tutorials on spring replacement on youtube. Certainly nothing like I've ever done before, but it doesn't look impossible. When I mentioned transplanting the motor, I meant locating another 2 barrel motor, like the one installed, and just switching them out. I don't like doing that (for complete originality sake), but it seems the most cost effective. It seems expensive to farm the work out, and I think I may have located an appropriate working motor that is within the same price range. I the meantime, I've done some cleaning and replaced the grille cloth with something more suitable. At least it looks better!

I replaced a spring in my C 250 a few years back. As I remember, getting the mechanism out of the case and in again was most of the work! I vote that you do the spring while you're at it Have fun. - Bill