The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everyone this is my first post to the fourm. I recently acquired a VV-XIV talking machiene. I want to take apart the mechanical parts and mainSprings just to give them a proper cleaning. The problem I am having is that I can't figure out how to get the speed indicator off. I've been researching how to take it off and many people say that there is a hex nut and washer that you have to take off. My model however does not have a nut on it. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can take this off without breaking anything? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! - Jesse

From underneath the motor board! The spindle is held by two grub screws. Slacken them off and the indicator needle attached to it's spindle slide upwards.

Phono48 wrote:From underneath the motor board! The spindle is held by two grub screws. Slacken them off and the indicator needle attached to it's spindle slide upwards.

Hello thanks for the help! I'm still a little confused though. It seems that the spindle slide can't fall through because it is too thick to slide through the hole. It can't slide upwards because the needle part itself won't come off to pull it through the board.I'm still kind of stuck. Any other advice?

Sorry, it's not held on with two grub screws, there's only one, at top in photo 1, not the two you have circled. On my HMV No. 32 motor, which has the same speed control, that spindle just drops out, it doesn't have the thick spindle. Have you tried turning that screw head on the top of the spindle? It looks like it could hold the needle on to the shaft.

You might be better off leaving it where it is, and servicing the motor whilst it is still attached to the motor board. Once removed, those hair-spring speed controls are the devils own job to set up again.

I'm wondering if the indicator slips off like a clock hand. Has that look about it.

Phono48 wrote:Sorry, it's not held on with two grub screws, there's only one, at top in photo 1, not the two you have circled. On my HMV No. 32 motor, which has the same speed control, that spindle just drops out, it doesn't have the thick spindle. Have you tried turning that screw head on the top of the spindle? It looks like it could hold the needle on to the shaft.

You might be better off leaving it where it is, and servicing the motor whilst it is still attached to the motor board. Once removed, those hair-spring speed controls are the devils own job to set up again.

Yea I tried taking that screw out and there is a dimple there. Since the bottom of the shaft is thicker it can't slide through. I think I'm going to just leave it on and service the main springs. I really apreciate the help and advice! If I ever find out how to take it off I'll let you know!

You just need to unscrew the small screw that holds the hand to the axis, shown in your first top photo, and slide the hand up. Just be very careful, this screw may be stuck, and if you apply too much torque you may break its head. Also try to hold it when unscrewing, it may fall off and it is hard to find such microscopic screw, especially if it falls inside a carpet or inside the machine (I lost of of these when I unscrewed and it fell through the hole inside the Credenza - never found it, and had to get another meter).

CarlosV wrote:You just need to unscrew the small screw that holds the hand to the axis, shown in your first top photo, and slide the hand up. Just be very careful, this screw may be stuck, and if you apply too much torque you may break its head. Also try to hold it when unscrewing, it may fall off and it is hard to find such microscopic screw, especially if it falls inside a carpet or inside the machine (I lost of of these when I unscrewed and it fell through the hole inside the Credenza - never found it, and had to get another meter).

I'll try that! Thanks for the help!

There is a very tiny nut on the end of the speed indicator shaft. Unscrew this nut and twist the speed indicator arm on the shaft until it loosens up, then pull it off. I use small needle nose pliers with an angled tip to unscrew the tiny nut, works great! Cliff

P.S. - Be sure not to lose that nut!

I just posted a short video showing how to do this. Have fun! Cliff

https://youtu.be/qNil0isMM5g