The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone have any information on the rather complicated geared switch mechinism on an electric Columbia motor? I have a machine where that mechinism seems to have frozen up which was keeping the motor from running. I took it apart and stared at it quite a lot and cannot even figure out how it works. It has a bunch of gears and a cam that turns the motor off and on.

To get the machine working I disconnected the gear attached to the tonearm and rigged a manual switch for the motor. It works great, but I would really like to restore the original switch mechinism if anyone has suggestions or information on it. I have all the original parts, but the switch lost me in the dust.

And, I thought Edison made complicated machines! This switch is amazing.

Thanks

Dan