The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey all, just recently found this Gramafonola at one of our local antique Shops. Was marked "as is" so I grabbed it as it was in great condition. All I was told was it didn't wind up. Brought it home and removed the motor. Hoping it wasn't a spring that had went I found that it wound up by hand and the motor ran beautifully. The reason it won't wind via the crank is that the cranks shaft just spins in the gear that connects to the ratchet pawl. Looks as thought there should be something that sits in the cranks shaft and the gear to "lock" it in place. Am I correct? Attached are some photos as to what I'm describing. Also, how freely should the ratchet pawl move. This one is fairly snug. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated to this newbie!!

There should be a 'key' that fits between the notches on the gear and the shaft, to hold it together.

I have had a similar problem on my Edison Home, where that little key failed; and I had to press an appropriately shaped piece of steel in the gap.

Bill