The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My Grafonola seems to have an oddball governor. Can anyone identify it? One of the large weights is broken off.

It's hard to tell because your fingers are in the way. What model Grafonola do you have? Do you have a picture of the machine? That way I can help you identify it.
Harvey Kravitz

It's hard for me to see as well but it looks like some odd home repair was attempted with questionable results.

Jerry B.

I have not been able to identify a model. Here are a couple pictures.One of the weights is broken off and there was a string wrapped around it I believe so it wouldnt swing out too far.
Thanks,
Gerry

I'm thinking you need to start over with that one. It looks like a very creative home repair. The correct governor for that Columbia motor is not hard to find. You should keep that governor as an example of American Folk Art... Is that governor off a steam engine?

Cliff

A closer look seems to show a real governor but I don't see how it can control the speed. The spring loaded weights expand and pull the flywheel in and there is a brake pad, but it isn't obvious (to me) how it controls speed. There looks to be a spring inside the flywheel shaft..??

And the gear that drives the governor is unlike any other I've seen. Seems to be correctly mated to the governor.

It's pretty cool, though.

Cliff

Thanks for showing the machine. The governor is a 2 weight one, very common. I would suggest that you get a Grafonola set from Ron Sitko. It consists of 2 weights, springs, screws and washers. There are many threads in this Forum for governor rebuilding. If you don't have the Complete Talking Machine by Eric Reiss, I suggest you get a copy. It is the phonograph restorer's bible.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Thanks for showing the machine. The governor is a 2 weight one, very common... Harvey Kravitz

I've led a sheltered life... Cliff

Thanks for the replies.I have the Complete Talking Machine but it doesnt seem to help me with this machine and since this is my first time doing this I have no comparisons. I would love to look a comparable Grafonola so I can figure a few things out.
Gerry

CDBPDX wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:Thanks for showing the machine. The governor is a 2 weight one, very common... Harvey Kravitz

I've led a sheltered life... Cliff

He means the correct governor is very common, not the one pictured.