The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am working on a Standard Talking Machine for a customer (I'm doing repairs on radios and phonographs for spending money while at college), and it is missing the brake. The owner has a phonograph brake, but it's holes do not match the holes on the motor board. Also, it's friction leather doesn't reach the turntable. What brake should this machine use? Also, is this the correct turntable for this machine?

That turntable "looks" correct. Should be 10" diameter and spindle should be ½". There is no external brake on that machine for the turntable. Should have a plunger with a knurled collar sticking out front(where that red knob is in last picture). Plunger is pulled out to start and pushed in to stop. Governor is being acted upon. So, the gov!ernor is the!"brake". I hope this helps

There is no collar present on this particular machine. To start it you have to back out that knob (its on a threaded shaft that looks like a bigger version of the speed control screw on my VV-IV.) How hard would it be to find the right parts for this machine? It also needs a reproducer rebuild. I take it that I can use Exhibition tubing and possibly mica?

The turntable looks right.
The reproducer gasket is larger than an Exhibition, it "sort of" fits but will sound awful. Ron Sitko stocks the correct size.

Is the correct speed control "unobtainium" due to it being for an "off brand" or "client" machine, or would it be findable? What should I expect to pay if I can even find one?

GrafonolaG50 wrote:Is the correct speed control "unobtainium" due to it being for an "off brand" or "client" machine, or would it be findable? What should I expect to pay if I can even find one?

No: it's a regular Columbia speed control: you should be able to find a replacement without too much trouble.

Bill

Good to know. I can't wait to get this machine back into operation. Thanks for the information.