The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello:

I recently bought a nice VV-VI that I've cleaned up rather nicely. I rebuilt the Exhibition reproducer and replaced the turntable felt and feet.

The doors don't close very tightly and I'm wondering if anyone can help with this. Was there some sort of metal strike plate on them originally to give a better seal? It doesn't look like it, but I'm not sure.

I'd appreciate any insights. Thanks.

Ken

Hello Ken,

Those doors are loose and do not snap or click into place.
They should freely swing open and close.
When closed, they are just flush to the body.

James.

If one or both doors want to pop open a bit you might try messing with the hinges. I'd loosen the screws move things slightly and retighten. In a worst case scenario I would try a very small round headed brass nail and tap it in on the cabinet under the door to introduce a bit of friction to hold the door closed. Maybe someone has a better idea.

Jerry Blais

Perhaps a thin piece of felt glued to the underside of each door would help keep them closed.

Before you alter the machine, you might want to make sure that it is sitting level and that the hinges are secured snugly. I don't own one at the moment, but I always liked the VV-VI. It's a nice, understated and in my opinion, under valued machine.

All the above are good ideas. I've restored quite a few of these recently, and in each case I was able to tighten up the hinges so that the doors stay where you leave them. The flat-style hinges are typically pretty loose/floppy after a hundred years of use, and some gentle tightening in a padded vise will usually snug them up with no outwardly visible signs. (I find that if you get them to where they're really stiff to operate by hand when removed from the machine, they'll be about right once they're re-installed due to the increased leverage of the doors).

Good luck - I love those little machines - great little workhorses that seem very reliable and can sound very nice.

Markola wrote:All the above are good ideas. I've restored quite a few of these recently, and in each case I was able to tighten up the hinges so that the doors stay where you leave them. The flat-style hinges are typically pretty loose/floppy after a hundred years of use, and some gentle tightening in a padded vise will usually snug them up with no outwardly visible signs. (I find that if you get them to where they're really stiff to operate by hand when removed from the machine, they'll be about right once they're re-installed due to the increased leverage of the doors).

Good luck - I love those little machines - great little workhorses that seem very reliable and can sound very nice.

Same result as Markola but I tighten up the hinge pin a little different.
After the hinge is removed from the case lay it on a flat piece of metal or vice. With a hammer lightly tap only the raised hinge pin. Keep checking the hinge until you've tightened it to meet your needs.
The hinge will be tight like it was when new and the doors will stay where they are put.
I've been doing this for years and have not had a hinge loosen up again.

Larry Crandell

I like the felt suggestion. Jerry

This is not a professional type solution but it works for me and does not alter the machine in any way. I find if I apply a small strip (say 1" of masking tape to the outer bottom edge of the doors works great. Different colours of tape seem to be different thickness so it's a bit of trial and error. It can be trimmed to the proper width and you will never see it. Great machines, I love mine and now my doors stay closed! Good luck

All of these suggestions have been very helpful. Thanks everyone.