The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is there a trick to getting the shafts out to separate the spring barrels? And how do the barrels open? Push on or screw on?



Steve

Anyone?

I'm guessing this is the Grafonola. I'm fairly certain that the barrels on this are the cookie-tin type. After you get the shaft out and separate the barrels, you usually have to insert a screwdriver through the shaft hole in the back of the barrel to tap the underside of the "lid" to help get it to open. Of course, you have manage to get the shaft out first! It can be really tricky to get the shaft to unhook from the springs to withdraw it. I haven't regreased in a few years, but I recall having to sometimes fiddle with rocking the shaft back and forth quite a bit to get it to unhook from the springs. It can be just as difficult (or moreso) to get the shaft to re-hook when you put it back together; bending the end of the spring before you close up the barrels can help with this. Check the tips and tricks section, and I'm sure others can give you more detailed help soon. Also, The Compleat Talking Machine is a super resource book for phonograph maintenance and repair!

Thanks Coyote. I did get it apart prior to reading your post. I needed to twist the barrel lid slightly to pull it off. I got the shafts off by inserting a small screwdriver and twisting.

Steve