The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Puritan Artline with most of its Saal type DD motor (as pictured, it is missing the spring barrel, it’s shaft, and the gears on that shaft). Doing a little searching, I see that the Saal looks very similar to the type EE motor and was wondering if I just swapped out my motor with a Saal EE that the 3 motor board mount holes and the crank would line up. Does anyone know if this to be the case? Alternatively, if those missing DD parts are the same as the EE parts? Then I would only need the parts from either an EE or DD, versus a whole motor. Any input would be helpful, thank you.

-Wayne

I know Saal motors were used in many off brand machines. I have no specific answer to your dilemma but suggest caution. There are several variables that need to be identical. The mounting pattern on the motor board need to be the same. The position of the wind shaft needs to match to the existing crank hole. The size and length of the spindle need to be the same. When I look at something with the eyes of a buyer, red flags start waving when I see an extra crank hole or extra holes in the motor board when I pop off the turntable.

I would suggest checking with George V. (Great Lakes Antique Phonograph Co - info in the Links section of the Forum) to try to complete your incomplete motor. Good luck with your project.

Jerry Blais

I hear you about the dangers of things not lining up and I would never consider drilling holes to force things to work. After reading comments, I did change my mind about considering swapping the DD motor with an EE motor even if it does fit. It would still be the wrong motor for that phonograph.

I did call George V. and he did say he likely has those parts, but he’s closed for business till mid April. Though that’s not long in my world typically, I kind of like to keep the momentum going. So I contacted someone that had a DD for sale on Ebay whose motor was missing the spring barrel but had the shaft and gears. They relisted and I purchased it ($17 plus shipping). That will get me a little closer and a little experience until I get the spring barrel. Time to make a post in the Yankee Trader, to see what might be available now.

Thanks Jerry for the tips.

The "AA", "DD', or "EE" and so on is just the size of the spring barrels. They can fit any motor because the gears are the same size, but Saal made some really small barrels for Table top machines that can barely last.

Thanks for that info Benjamin_L. Good to know.

Do you know if the springs of the AA are the smallest, DD are bigger, and EE are even bigger? (I am under the impression that these mentioned are all two spring motors)