The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Got the bug. Bought the girlfriend a Amberola 50 for Valentines Day this year...nice piece and works well. Since then have purchased a Victor VVX, Columbia Grafonola, and this past weekend a Brunswick YO table model. Love pulling the motors to see how the mechanicals work. You can easily see the major differences in the mechanics of the builds.

All but the Amberola need springs replaced. I got brave and disassembled the Columbia spring case and noted the spring was broken only a couple inches up from the end connection. I assume there have been some folks that have pulled a spring and drilled out a new connection hole so it could be reconnected and continue to be used? Bad idea? Figure I will take a zip tie to keep it as compressed as possible (end will likely slip out and it will uncoil but thought I would try) and try it unless there is a oompelling reason not to. Realize it may not last as long as a replacement unit...but thought it might be worth a try. Advice from the experts? Bad idea? Saw a utube posting for spring replacement...will watch that first before trying to tackle. Will send to expert if spring work is not adviseable for the amateur.

So far have really enjoyed the "hunt" for inexpensive units, and locating the parts I need for repairs. Just running out of room in our house to keep them all : ) Will never be able to collect the higher end units or become the experts many here are...but still enjoying it.

Been stalking for a short while now..thought it was time to post some questions.

Any and all input truly appreciated!

Steve O
Papillion, NE (Omaha, NE area)

If it is the outer end of the mainspring that is broken, you might try making a new hole: just remember to anneal a few more inches of the spring with a propane torch, etc. (do you have The Compleat Talking Machine? If not, get a copy: it is a mine of restoration info).

If the break is at the inner end, you're going to lose much more power: since you apparently have a single spring motor on the Grafonola, perhaps it might be better to have the spring replaced entirely. There are a number of sources in the 'Links' section who can do that at reasonable cost.

Bill

Welcome to the forum and to the hobby. The Amberola 50 is a great first machine. For its size it is a very good player and not too finicky to maintain. Just remember that it plays only 4 minute celluloid cylinders. For information on which cylinders to play on which machines, go to the Antique Phonograph Society website. The homepage will direct you to all sorts of useful information.
As far as springs go, I agree with Bill. The outer end can be repaired with little loss of power. I have done many of them but I have never had any success with repairs at the inner end. It is best to install a new one in that case. My go-to source for springs is Ron Sitko @ 518-371-8549. You can usually reach him between the hours of 7 and 9 PM eastern time. Ron is very old school and does not have a website or use email for his business, so phone is the only way to talk to him. He is a great guy and you will enjoy talking with him.
As Bill noted, you need to purchase a copy of "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric Reiss. There are copies of three (1986, 1996 and 2007)editions currently on Amazon in the $20.00 range. I saw some on Ebay as well.

Good Luck
Jim

Thanks for responses to date!

The Grafonola actually appears to have 3 springs, two in a connected drum and a third in a drum of its own. Appears the one that is broken is broken on the outer so maybe I will get brave : ) Sorry if my terminology is incorrect.

Thanks again for direction / insight.

Will reach out to Ron for a fiber gear I need replaced...hopefully he can steer me in the right direction with that piece as well.