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I just got an Edison that I received from my grandfather working after someone on this forum helped me realize that the Edison Home Model F I have is missing a spacer that put it in 2 minute mode instead of the intended 4 minute mode. So naturally I decided to play some records now that it is finally working. After playing a few records it started to run slow in the middle of a record. I thought that the motor may have just run down all the way and I rewound it. Now it doesn't start on its own most of the time (it will run if I give it a push start) and upon trying to play a record it slowly comes to a complete stop. I have tried oiling everything but that didn't change anything. I have also noticed that it is making a grinding noise. The noise sounds like it is coming from somewhere around the governor, possibly behind it, but it's hard to tell. All of the mechanical components look like they are in great condition. I just don't understand how this machine went from running just fine to not wanting to run at all. If anyone has any past experience with an issue like this I would greatly appreciate it if they could share some of their knowledge. Thanks.

Edit: I have noticed that it seems to run a lot better if I take the belt off the pulley. I don't know if it is running better just because it doesn't need to push as much or if the problem resides in the upper section of the machine. There is some resistance in the main shaft, but I don't know if it is excessive or how much resistance there should even be.

Iancan2 wrote:I just got an Edison that I received from my grandfather working after someone on this forum helped me realize that the Edison Home Model F I have is missing a spacer that put it in 2 minute mode instead of the intended 4 minute mode. So naturally I decided to play some records now that it is finally working. After playing a few records it started to run slow in the middle of a record. I thought that the motor may have just run down all the way and I rewound it. Now it doesn't start on its own most of the time (it will run if I give it a push start) and upon trying to play a record it slowly comes to a complete stop. I have tried oiling everything but that didn't change anything. I have also noticed that it is making a grinding noise. The noise sounds like it is coming from somewhere around the governor, possibly behind it, but it's hard to tell. All of the mechanical components look like they are in great condition. I just don't understand how this machine went from running just fine to not wanting to run at all. If anyone has any past experience with an issue like this I would greatly appreciate it if they could share some of their knowledge. Thanks.

Edit: I have noticed that it seems to run a lot better if I take the belt off the pulley. I don't know if it is running better just because it doesn't need to push as much or if the problem resides in the upper section of the machine. There is some resistance in the main shaft, but I don't know if it is excessive or how much resistance there should even be.

The best resource available for the beginning collector is Eric Reiss' The Compleat Talking Machine: he covers pretty much every aspect of repair and restoration for the majority of machines.

The mandrel shaft should spin freely for at least several seconds, when the belt is disengaged. With a late model Home like an F, the culprit is often the mandrel bearing: these were made of pot metal, and have often swollen to some degree over a century.

Since the shaft is not entirely frozen, I would suggest removing the mandrel and shaft, and polishing the bearing with a piece of metal rod (just small enough to fit in the bearing). Fit the rod into a drill chuck, put some rubbing compound on the end, and spin it in the bearing for a few seconds - don't overdo it. Clean out the residue, re-lubricate, and check the performance again.

Alternatively, you can remove the old bearing, and put in a new replacement: these are made of bronze, and will not swell with age.

Another tactic is to check the governor bearings: a slight adjustment can make a great difference in performance.

Bill

Thanks for the input. It certainly doesn't spin for several seconds without the belt engaged, it's more along the lines of half a second. I actually have come across that book in my research and am considering buying it as it does look like a very handy resource for anyone who owns one of these machines.

Thank you very much for your help. Since I have never had one of these machines before it is hard to tell how a proper machine should behave.

Hi again Iancan2-- Edisons are fairly simple to work on-- There are a few adjustments that can be made to ensure the mandrel spins freely. You mentioned a "screw" in Tom's picture, but I'm not sure what screw you are referring to.

When you adjusted the pulley, did you loosen any set screws or move the screw that pushes a cylindrical bearing against the left end of the mandrel shaft? It sounds like it's binding a bit--especially since it was playing OK for a few records. The adjustment from 2 to 4 is made by moving the right side of the two piece pulley in or out. Check to make sure it is fully engaged. Also-- There is a small set screw that adjusts the tension on the half nut that rides on the long threaded feed screw shaft (left of mandrel). The half-nut engages the feedscrew when you lower the carriage and drives the carriage toward the right. If there is a little too much pressure on the feedscrew, it can bog down the works. A quarter turn counter-clockwise may help. The half-nut should just barely engage with the threads on the feedscrew.
Making sure the mandrel turns freely with the belt disengaged is the key to getting the topworks adjusted. Where are you located? There are lots of folks on this forum that can help with the adjustments needed-- Perhaps someone lives close to you.

Brad Abell

Thanks so much for the help. That small adjustment did the trick. You certainly know your stuff when it comes to these machines. I just don't understand how that changed while the machine was running.

The screw that I am missing is shown in this photo. In the few pictures I can find of a Home Model F they have a screw here with a large flat head. I don't know what the purpose of this screw is, but I assume that everything on this machine has a purpose.

You're missing the adjustment screw for the mainshaft center. You can easily get one from the suppliers listed under the "Links" section of this forum (in particular, Great Lakes [George Vollema], Ron Sitko, Victrola Repair Service, or Wyatts):

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=8&t=195

That adjustment screw is handy, but you still have the set screw, which should keep the center in place once you have it adjusted.

George P.

Thanks. I figured since the machine was still running it wasn't absolutely necessary, but it is certainly nice to know what it's function would have been.