The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Good morning all.

I am cleaning an Edison D for a buddy of mine. The belt was shot so I replaced it with a rubber belt that he supplied. the issue I am finding is that when fully wound it will play through a 4 minute, but slows on a 2 minute record. I assume the belt might be too tight, or weak spring? The machine is very clean and spins great when not under pressure of a record when playing on the 2 minute gear.

Suggestions?

Home? Standard? Triumph? Gem?

My apologies, Edison standard D. I have oiled everything and the governor is running as it should. The machine is very clean it does not have any grease build up etc.

Any?

Have you checked the half nut engagement of the feed screw?
A belt that it too tight can do some crazy things. For the health of the machine, I would install the correct leather belt.

I find it odd that you are having trouble with two minute records. It's my experience that a machine, like the D Standard, has more difficulty playing four minute cylinders compared to two minute cylinders. Considering the symptoms I'd start with the two minute gearing. When you solve the problem, please report back to us. Jerry Blais

Thanks guys. I agree, I think I will order a new belt. I will also check the 2 minute gear. I worked it over but maybe did not pay enough attention. I just cannot see why it runs on the 4 minute but lags on 2 unless it has something to do with the gear. I will check both and report back! Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

T

Use a leather belt. Leather belts have been used since day 1 with cylinder machines. They have been tried and true for the past 120 plus years. There are numerous discussions on how to fit a belt in this Forum.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Use a leather belt. Leather belts have been used since day 1 with cylinder machines. They have been tried and true for the past 120 plus years. There are numerous discussions on how to fit a belt in this Forum.
Harvey Kravitz

Yes sir! Thank you, He had this belt so I thought I would try it. I think it it producing too much drag.

I will order some, then report back. I have to say I am a little intimidated fitting the belt. I am sure it is not hard I just have not done this before.

A rubber belt could very easily produce way too
much drag if it's stretched on there much at all.

Cutting fitting, and splicing a leather belt can
seem difficult if you've never done it before.

So I tried it the first time on a D standard at
the library/museum in Atlanta, Illinois. It was
surprisingly easy. I just wrapped the belting around
the pulleys and marked it with a pencil. Cut it
just about .25 inches too long on purpose, then
wrapped it again after cutting.

Got the overlap marked, then went about slicing it
at an angle, then held it down on a scrap of wood
and shaved it to a taper on the thickness using
an exacto knife.

Put a dab of contact cement on both halves of the
angled overlap and allowed it to dry for about
15 minutes or so.

Then I put the belt on the machine and pushed the
splice together and clamped it with a hemostats for
a couple minutes.

Then took those off and tested the machine.

Works great now. Splicing a leather belt is no
big deal at all. Just figure it out as you go.
Shave it to a taper so there isn't a bump, then glue
it using your glue of choice.