The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The loop for the limit pin broke off the weight of my Edison "O" reproducer.
Has anyone here tried fixing this?
Looks like maybe the (brass or bronze???) loop went all the way through the weight, was soldered or brazed on one side, and the entire assembly was then chromed???
(Did they chrome the stainless steel weights? [Were the weights stainless steel? Mine is not magnetic.])

I'm thinking about drilling out the stubs just enough to seat the ends of a new stainless wire loop and maybe trying to silver solder in place? What do you think?
[Or... anyone got a real cheap intact "O" weight?]

There is no need to drill it out because the loop holes are drilled through the plate. The loop is soldered in place. You can heat the broken ends of the loop and push them out or you can punch them out from the other side. If you punch them out, use a punch that is slightly smaller than the loop wire size to avoid damaging the holes. Check the wire size and go to a hobby shop or good hardware. You should have it in 12" lengths. Get a pair of wire bending pliers - long nose pliers, but with round, tapered jaws. Most craft stores have them in the jewelry section. You can use the old loop as a template, but be sure to add enough length to compensate for the length of the plate. You can either solder the new one in place or or use JB Weld.

I may have an extra complete weight or a spare loop, but I won't be able to check for a couple of days. Let me know if you need any of that.

Note: be very careful when you reassemble this. The point where the turnover rod attaches to the stylus bar holder is very fragile if any stress is placed on this joint, you will have opened a very large can of worms. Repairs are possible bit difficult without proper tools.

Jim

I forgot to mention the fact that they used brass wire to make the loop.

Jim

THANKS, Jim!!!

As the JB Weld cures... (but I HAD to play it. Sounds great!) My first reproducer repair...

Excellent! You're on your way now.

Jim

Well done! I had to repair an O this week with the same condition, but the ends of the limit loop were peened into the weight...requiring me to drill out with a carbide drill bit, and glue in a new one.

Congratulations Michael! Looks great!
Beautiful job!!
Enjoy that O!
Great seeing you at Union!

One more question:

Should I screw the hinge block down, closer to the base? And if so, how close is close enough? I know it's important that it is still free to spin here. (Please see the red arrow below.) And one last shot that shows all the parts back together (stylus bar etc.)