The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When I put the needle on the record. the mandrel stops spinning it doesn't have enough strength to spin anymore.

Sometimes it does work when I put the needle down very very slowly. But the music plays really fast, and then it plays really slow. Is my machine broken beyond repair?

It's probably something really simple. Perhaps the collar at the end of the mandrel is too tight. Just be careful not to remove the mandrel while there is tension on the spring. Jerry Blais

First the basics... Make sure that the machine and Reproducer mount carriage bars are well oiled. Make sure that you have a clean reproducer, and a clean record... Then retry...and report back here.

Also after you have done the above, If all else fails, You can try and use the "Speed Control Adjustment".. You can change the speed with a simple small flathead screw driver. With the reproducer off the record, You should set the speed of the mandrel with a record on it at 161 RPM's with the reproducer up off the record. The extra 1 RPM takes into account the drag of the record when the record when the reproducer is dropped, so when the reproducer is on the record it reads exactly at 160 RPM's... I highly suggest that you pick up a Digital RPM guage off of ebay. You can usually pick them up for less than 10 bucks. I have two of them.. They are worth every penny. I use mine all the time.. See weblinks below..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handheld-Non-Co ... xyKsZRwV7i

and..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handheld-Digita ... Sw14xWHgU2


See Pic below for Amberola 30/50/75 Model speed adjustment...

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Have you worked on the mechanism at all?

With century-old machines such as this, your first priority should be to disassemble, thoroughly clean, and re-lubricate the motor and upper works,

As mentioned, you should make sure the motor is ENTIRELY WOUND DOWN before disassembly.

The reproducer should be carefully examined as well: a stiff pivot will cause repeating (and will wear records); a worn or chipped stylus will affect playback (and is not good for the records, either); and hardened gaskets will not give very good reproduction.

Bill

Amberolaguys wrote:Is my machine broken beyond repair?

Not likely.

Amberolaguys wrote:When I put the needle on the record. the mandrel stops spinning it doesn't have enough strength to spin anymore.

Sounds like you need to adjust the vertical movement of the reproducer weight and half nut as it sounds like it is currently set too low to correctly contact the cylinder record surface/grooves and the feedscrew.

Viewing from the crank side, look under the reproducer at the stylus and weight AND the half nut that rides on the feedscrew while rotating the carriage lever with a cylinder mounted on the mandrel and with the reproducer positioned over the blank "intro" area of the cylinder.

In the play position (lever all the way down), the weight's pivot pin should be positioned at about the middle of the limit loop and the stylus resting on the cylinder surface AND the half nut should be seated just enough onto the feedscrew to enable moving the carriage during play.

If the half nut is set too low, thereby imposing too much force on the feedscrew, the carriage will stop and you will experience exactly what you are describing.

Loosen the carriage set screw that secures the reproducer inside the carriage eye, and disengage the horn from the reproducer throat. Remove the set screw(s) in the bosses on either side of the carriage shaft and slide the shaft out so that you have the carriage in your hand.

Adjustment of the carriage parts is easiest now.

Get some 0000 steel wool and clean the carriage shaft while it is removed and lightly oil it.

With the carriage in your hand, move the lever that adjusts the reproducer weight.

Take notice of how it functions relative to the reproducer weight and half nut.

Consider making some minor adjustments to the set screw(s) that adjust the weight / half nut.

Put the carriage back on the shaft and examine the positions of the weight and half nut in play position. Continue adjusting until the carriage is in perfect play and rest position.

Adjust the governor speed (very simple and easy), lubricate the moving parts and try playing a cylinder.

This is all from memory of working on many of my Amberola 30's which I've not done in a while - but the directions I've provided for the most part should be accurate or very close.

Good luck.