The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have an Edison Opera cylinder phonograph that won't lift the stylus weight on the reproducer. I move the lift lever up and down and the raiser thingy goes up and down but doesn't raise the stylus. From the angle the lifter is engaging the stylus raiser piece, it wouldn't lift it anyway. Seems the lifter should be longer to properly engage the raiser thingy. What am I missing? Does anyone have a good photo of a working lifter mechanism? I don't often get the opportunity to work on these high end cylinder players and am not too familiar with their details.

Thanks!

I've posted a couple pictures of mine showing how the parts engage. Examining how these compare to yours should be helpful. In the "Down" position the tab "B" should just clear the bottom of "A" and lift it up quite noticeably in the "Up" position.
Is the strong spring in the stanchion attached to "B?" If that's missing that could be your problem!
Bob

Whatever you do, don't try to bend anything to "make it work" unless you want to learn how to braze when you break it. Check that spring; it's usually the culprit.

see that corrosion ring on the neck - it looks like the reproducer ring is not pushed fully home so the lift is not able to reach it - though that ring may be a tad too far. Look at the relative position of everything in the pictures barnettrp21122 posted, you will see what I mean

It's the spring! Thanks!

Good find - alignment still looks off to my eye though, maybe it's the pictures, maybe it doesn't matter

Good!
Bob

Thanks for the link to this thread...

On my machine there is no gap between the little paddle and the reproducer when it is in the playing position. Where do I adjust things to allow the paddle to move down farther to allow the stylus to make better contact with the record?

Thanks, Jerry

Jerry,

The issue is usually with the spring, located in the support column, that is broken or unhooked.

The spring is attached. When you push down on the paddle it springs back when you remove your finger. When in a playing position the paddle does not go down far enough to allow the reproducer to operate. Is there an adjustment for the paddle?

I removed the L reproducer and tried a Diamond A with the same results.

Thanks, Jerry