The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

On my Empire Talking Machine the soundbox tube does not move freely in the tonearm. I assume it should rotate freely and this one doesn’t. How do I get it apart to clean that joint? I tried using penetrating oil which did help, but there are still places it hangs up and doesn’t move freely.

Sounds like a slightly swollen pot-metal joint.
If you can, post a photo of the tonearm.

If you can't, is it like to top or bottom tonearm in this illustration?
OrthoFan

Here are pictures of the soundbox tube that doesn't move freely.

I can't really help with your problem, which sounds like swollen pot metal. But if/when you get a chance, I'd love photos of that whole machine. It looks extremely similar to my Da-Ven-Ola upright. I do believe the tonearm/soundbox are identical to mine.

I'd also love to see some pictures. I have two Empire Records from 1919 with the "Empire Jazz Band" playing some of the oldest jazz I ever heard. Pretty stylish labels.

Looks like your phonograph is in beautiful condition too. The more you restore the mechanism, the better it will sound. Most of mine looked really trashed on the exterior, though, so none of them are as nice as this one!

There appears to be a set screw at the bottom. that holds the tube onto the tone arm. Are you able to unscrew it?

You might want to remove the whole tone arm from the machine (remove the reproducer as well, if possible), place it in your freezer overnight, then remove the screw (if you haven't already), and gently try to work the tube out. If you can't get it out at first, run some more oil in and try the freezer trick again: it takes patience to get a pot metal arm apart without breaking it.

Once you get the tube out, you can use some plumber's emery cloth to sand the joint down until it moves smoothly: then lubricate and reassemble it.

Does the reproducer swivel as well? You should be able to move it around to play vertical records.

Bill

Bill, Yes, the screw comes out and all parts swivel. The soundbox tube will be in the freezer in the next 15 minutes. I'll let you know what happens.
Bpb

it is less a thing of 15 minutes than a thing of days and hours!