The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

You may have seen me posting over the past week for info on my first machine, the Victor E. Thanks to all your help I’m well on my way to restoring it! While I now have an understanding of what to do for the cabinet, horn, etc, I know close to nothing about the inside. Attached is an image of the motor I’ll be working on, which still works. However, I’d still like to know how to take it apart, clean it, and put it back together, as well as know the terminology and what each part does. Any general info or resources you can provide (especially some specific to the Victor E) would be greatly appreciated!

PS Thank you all for your help on this machine, I didn’t realize it would be so hard to find information on Google about this hobby when I bought it haha

I'd suggest getting a copy of Eric Reiss' book The Compleat Talking Machine. I'd also suggest searching this board and YouTube for things like "phonograph motor rebuild". You will find more than you ever dreamed possible.

Taking a phonograph motor apart is easy. Putting it back together is another matter.
Step 1: Study the motor and take close up photos so you can see how to fit it back together.
Step 2: As you remove a part, be sure to label a container that you store each part in. Again, take photos as you go. If you have difficulty, stop the process and ask for assistance. Remember to take your time.
Step 3:: When you get all the parts broken down, clean the metal in low odor mineral spirits.
Step 4: When you get the spring barrels open you are going to have to decide to (a) remove the springs for a good cleaning or (b) pour some mineral spirits into the spring barrel and soak it over night. Spring removal and reinstall can be difficult and down right dangerous.
Step 5: Repack the barrels with fresh grease. I went with Mobil 1 synthetic and graphite flakes, but you can also use Vaseline. Take your time with each step and carefully put it all back together reversing the break down procedure. It can be difficult obtaining replacement parts so try real hard not to break anything. Here is a link to some videos I made when I replaced a broken spring for my Edison A250 Motor.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=43080&p=253374#p253374
Here are photos I took when I serviced my Victrola IX
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=39800&p=236214#p236214

Make sure that before you disassemble the motor that there is NO spring tension coming from the spring barrel. If there is tension left when you start taking it apart, you can potentially damage gears and more importantly get hurt.

Where are you located? Maybe someone on the Forum is close by and can assist you.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or is there a cast support slotted bolt jammed in to regulate the speed. I noticed in the first thread the speed control adjustment screw was missing. That should be easy to locate and make right again.
I think Rod Sitko has them. You can find his contact info in our "links" section.

gramophone78 wrote:Are my eyes playing tricks on me or is there a cast support slotted bolt jammed in to regulate the speed. I noticed in the first thread the speed control adjustment screw was missing. That should be easy to locate and make right again.
I think Rod Sitko has them. You can find his contact info in our "links" section.

Yep: that bolt definitely should not be there.

- Bill