The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Ok, I have an issue with a Standard Talking Machine motor that has me perplexed. I cannot get the motor to start on its own even on a full wind. The only way I can get the motor to run is if I give the governor a push and after that the motor runs fine (and seems like it’s strong enough to play a record. I don’t know because I don’t have the other half of the machine) until there is no tension on the spring. I cleaned the motor as best as I could with PB Blaster and I oiled it with sewing machine oil and it still has this issue. Is there an adjustment on the motor I need to make?

Anyway here’s a video of the issue.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UeS8TekW1f8

And a photo of the governor and gears.

Hopefully somebody can help me find out what in Sam Hill is going on here.

That is a common problem with these machines. You might want to check the gear teeth to see if there is any dirt there. Then put the turntable back on the spindle, minus the motorboard. Nudge the turntable and usually works. I have done that on my Standard X, and other Columbia machines and Clients, and that's the way they are.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:That is a common problem with these machines. You might want to check the gear teeth to see if there is any dirt there. Then put the turntable back on the spindle, minus the motorboard. Nudge the turntable and usually works. I have done that on my Standard X, and other Columbia machines and Clients, and that's the way they are.
Harvey Kravitz

Which gears do I need to check?

Ok pushing the turntable did do the trick! Thank you Harvey! As I said in my previous thread you learn something new everyday!

I’m really excited since this is my only external horn disc machine and I can’t wait to get the other half some time next month!

Do they make adapter turntables so you can play regular 78s on them? Because I’ve seen Wes K.’s (AKA okbridges) video on his Model X, and his has a turntable with a normal sized spindle.

AmberolaAndy wrote:Ok pushing the turntable did do the trick! Thank you Harvey! As I said in my previous thread you learn something new everyday!

I’m really excited since this is my only external horn disc machine and I can’t wait to get the other half some time next month!

Do they make adapter turntables so you can play regular 78s on them? Because I’ve seen Wes K.’s (AKA okbridges) video on his Model X, and his has a turntable with a normal sized spindle.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Standard-Ta ... ctupt=true

gramophone-georg wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:Ok pushing the turntable did do the trick! Thank you Harvey! As I said in my previous thread you learn something new everyday!

I’m really excited since this is my only external horn disc machine and I can’t wait to get the other half some time next month!

Do they make adapter turntables so you can play regular 78s on them? Because I’ve seen Wes K.’s (AKA okbridges) video on his Model X, and his has a turntable with a normal sized spindle.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Standard-Ta ... ctupt=true

Well I know where my money is going next week when I get paid! Lol.

Andy,

Your photo shows the governor friction disc sitting VERY close to the end bracket that supports the governor. Are you sure that the disc is not dragging just a tiny bit on that bracket? It would stall your motor until the governor begins to rotate and the disc then moves away from the bracket. If that's it, loosen the set screw on the collar, just behind the governor shaft worm, and slide the governor assembly ahead just a tiny bit on the shaft to create some clearance at the friction disc/bracket end.

JerryVan wrote:Andy,

Your photo shows the governor friction disc sitting VERY close to the end bracket that supports the governor. Are you sure that the disc is not dragging just a tiny bit on that bracket? It would stall your motor until the governor begins to rotate and the disc then moves away from the bracket. If that's it, loosen the set screw on the collar, just behind the governor shaft worm, and slide the governor assembly ahead just a tiny bit on the shaft to create some clearance at the friction disc/bracket end.

Which one is the set screw? I’m only familiar with Edison and Victrola motors.

Is it these?

AmberolaAndy wrote:

JerryVan wrote:Andy,

Your photo shows the governor friction disc sitting VERY close to the end bracket that supports the governor. Are you sure that the disc is not dragging just a tiny bit on that bracket? It would stall your motor until the governor begins to rotate and the disc then moves away from the bracket. If that's it, loosen the set screw on the collar, just behind the governor shaft worm, and slide the governor assembly ahead just a tiny bit on the shaft to create some clearance at the friction disc/bracket end.

Which one is the set screw? I’m only familiar with Edison and Victrola motors.

Is it these?

I labeled your photo. A word of caution: if the weight springs aren't the correct length, you may not be able to remedy the situation. They could be too long.

Best,
Fran

fran604g wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:

JerryVan wrote:Andy,

Your photo shows the governor friction disc sitting VERY close to the end bracket that supports the governor. Are you sure that the disc is not dragging just a tiny bit on that bracket? It would stall your motor until the governor begins to rotate and the disc then moves away from the bracket. If that's it, loosen the set screw on the collar, just behind the governor shaft worm, and slide the governor assembly ahead just a tiny bit on the shaft to create some clearance at the friction disc/bracket end.

Which one is the set screw? I’m only familiar with Edison and Victrola motors.

Is it these?

I labeled your photo. A word of caution: if the weight springs aren't the correct length, you may not be able to remedy the situation. They could be too long.

Best,
Fran

That did it! Thank you very much!