The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I just picked up a C-250 and the pawl is toast.
I will need a replacement if anyone has one.
Thanks all!

Kirk

What's the serial number on that machine? The one I have (#7265) has a conventional ratchet/pawl mechanism.

As for the reproducer, it seems to be older than the machine itself: by the time the C-250 went into production, I should think the early style reproducers with the screwed-on plate were no longer used.

Anyway, I'd suggest sending the reproducer to Steve Medved: he can do a great rebuild, and install a new Bruce stylus, at a reasonable cost.

Bill

The “crank stop” is called a ‘pawl’.

I second sending it to Steve Medved.....

The serial is 6427 on this machine.
I have already contacted Steve but i was jus checking here in case anyone had one ready to go.

So the reproducer is wrong Bill?

Pawl,,, Got it,

Thanks
Kirk

Steve is busy as usual. Be patient, trust me, it's well worth the wait! I need to send him a bunch of my own one of these days, perhaps after I get my taxes done.

Sean

I may have an extra winding shaft for that, but I will have to dig through my junk to find it. I will try to check it out in the next day or two and will let you know if I have one.

Jim

Heyo,
I am not patient but Steve has only had the email for a day or so. I am not that impatient...
Jim,
I am guessing the Winding shaft has the "pawl"? I thank you for looking..

Kirk

It looks like your pawl is in good condition. There should be a spring wrapped around the winding shaft at the gear end of the shaft. That spring engages the pawl to prevent the crank from unwinding. It is very common for the end of the spring to break off and no longer be attached to the pawl. The spring can be repaired if it is still there. It can be reshaped to engage the pawl and it should work fine. If the spring is missing, you will need to get a new spring.

Cliff

Kirk,

Nice C250! I picked one up a few years ago
which had the same problem with the winding pawl.
In my machine, the pawl was simply bent all out of shape.

It was able to be re-formed back to its proper shape.

My machine too came with the gold colored reproducer
of the early design that has the plate screwed on.

I agree with what everyone else has said about
getting one of the "Bruce" diamonds from Steve M.

I've had some marginal luck with the "Expert" DD styli.
The first one I had started marking the runout area
on the DD records after only a few weeks. Got it replaced for free. The 2nd one is "OK" I guess, but
I only use it very sparingly.

I did find someone who has a DD junkyard, who was
willing to part with a few original Edison DD styli
that are still in reasonable shape.

I've yet to test one of the "Bruce" diamonds, but
everything I've heard about them is fantastic.
They are the real deal!