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Hi everyone!
The school I work in is being demolished and while I was cleaning out some cupboards I came across this Viva Tonal Columbia Grafonola and I'm looking for some advice on how to get it up and running.
Ive tested it and everything seems to work, the table rotates, the speaker speaks but when I rest the needle on a record it appears to be too heavy and slows the table down to a complete stop almost immediately, could anyone advise on why this could be? I've attached some photos of the inside and outside of the machine incase it offers up any clues.

Thanks!

The main problem I see is the sound box (the part that holds the needle) is at the wrong angle on the tone arm. Gently rotate it clockwise until it stops. The needle should contact the record at about a 50-60 degree angle.

Also, be sure you are using a fresh needle. Steel needles were designed to be used once - then thrown away. A dull needle can drag a record to a stop.

The spring motor probably needs cleaning and proper lubrication too.

Good luck!

George P.

I'll also add - be sure you have wound it sufficiently. Most portables need to be fully wound in order to play even one record all the way through. Don't just think that 10 or 15 crank turn is enough. I own at least one portable that takes 70+ turns to be fully wound.

Just my $.02, you aren't trying to play any vinyl records, only shellac "78's", correct?

Best,
Fran

All the above advice is valid, but even with the soundbox at the wrong angle, the motor should be able to cope with any record (except vinyl!) This is a very common problem with these machines, they are from the EMI factory (formerly the Gramophone Company) and the springs were lubricated with their infamous graphite grease, which has by now turned to something resembling cement. This causes the coils of the springs to stick together, thus limiting the springs' power. The spring needs to come out, all the old gunk removed, and fresh grease packed in. I have three of these machines and they all suffered the same problem. In case you need to know, it's a British model 204, and was the first model to be made after Columbia and His Masters' Voice merged in 1931. An identical model was issued at the same time with the HMV trade mark, model 97.

Although not directly related to the motor problems, the No.15A soundbox appears to have been crudely repaired with insulating tape.

There should be a thick red rubber insulator at the rear of the soundbox, held in place by a screws and a metal plate as shown here :