The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi guys!
I have always been fascinated by the old crank Victrola's, so I picked one up locally for $50 that was partially torn down with missing bolts, knobs, and hinges.
It is a Victor VV-IX. I don’t know the year because the plate is missing. I’m guessing around 1918 based on the case details and the type motor. I’m not an expert to be sure.
I’ve been tracking down and ordering the parts to reassemble it properly and cleaning it up. The original finish is really pretty decent (looks better in person).
The motor was frozen, but when I cleaned and lubed it, it came to life. There is a problem with the spring barrel however. As you are cranking it up, it will build up a bit of tension and then make a loud banging ratcheting noise and release most of its tension.
I’d like to just swap out the spring assembly with a rebuilt one (the barrel cap is frozen tight so I can’t open it), but can’t find anyone selling these.
I may have to replace the entire motor.
It plays fine, but the second you put the tone arm down on the record it starts rapidly slowing to a stop with the weight. Will run for a couple of minutes without the weight of the tone arm. I’m assuming the springs aren’t holding enough power.
PS: Yes, I played the record with a fresh needle.
I’d welcome any ideas on what’s wrong with it.
Thank you everyone for stopping by!
Photos...., please excuse the mess, I’m moving to a new home, so I’m stacking and packing!

Congratulations on your Victrola IX. It's a fine machine that represents both Victor style and high quality. Unfortunately one of the springs is broken in the motor. There are previous threads in our Forum regarding spring repair. The search feature should help find them. Also Youtube is a good source for repairs.

Welcome to the Forum,
Jerry Blais

Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your first phonograph. Where are you located? Maybe there is a collector near by you that could mentor you on replacing the mainsprings. Ron Sitko is a good vendor for parts. Search for him in the "Links" section.
Ken

Thank you guys, I appreciate it!
I did find a series of videos on rebuilding the motor, but I got stopped at getting into the spring drum. That lid is really frozen on there. I’ll check the links too, thanks!
PS: I’m in central Oklahoma.
I’ve found a couple of rebuilt motors online that I’m keeping in the back of my mind as a last resort.
As a vinyl and reel-to-reel collector for years, this is a fun new even deeper dive into recorded music history!
I look forward to the journey ahead.

You have a nice first machine. I also suggest you contact Ron Sitko for help and parts. Spring replacement is a challenge sometimes. Several years ago I replaced a spring but it was quite a project. Hopefully you have records produced at about the same time as the Victrola.
Don

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your Victrola IX.

As others have written, one of your two mainsprings has broken (they're in the same spring barrel). You're on the right track by wanting to simply change out of the spring barrel for one with two healthy mainsprings - - and this should be no problem. This is a common motor, and there are many, many of them around sitting loose. Either Ron Sitko or George Vollema should be able to help you.

Be sure you have a photo handy of the spring barrel and bull gear, because there are minor variations.

You'll want to rebuild your Victrola No.2 sound box (or have it rebuilt). The rubber parts for doing this are readily available for nominal cost, and there are numerous youtube videos demonstrating how it's done.

You're in for a treat when your Victrola sings again due to your efforts.

George P.

Thank you so much!
I will give Mr. Sitko a call. His hours say 7pm to 10pm if that’s not a typo so I’ll wait until then.
I did finally get the lid off, and the visible spring at least appears to be okay and still attached to the rivet so it must be the internal one.
The videos show getting these springs out and replaced is pretty involved so I’m still going to try to source a rebuilt barrel.
In the meantime I’ll look into replacing the gaskets on the sound box.
Part of the fun is going to be leaning this machine and how to maintain it.
I thought about getting a rebuilt machine, but there is a drive to want to bring a sad neglected one back to life.
Got 5 to 10 seconds of good play out of a partial wind. It’s surprisingly loud, and tamed to a nice mellow sound with the doors closed.
What I have is a few 1920s-1940s shellac 78s. I know this can get complicated as to which ones are safe to play without damage.
Another thing to learn.
The input and advice here will always be appreciated.

I'd recommend you send your spring barrel to Ron. He can return it ready to go along with knobs for the doors, motor board, crank escutcheon, felt for your turntable, and the parts needed for servicing your Victrola 2 sound box.

Jerry B.

Watch this guy how to stuff https://www.youtube.com/user/1974hurt?f ... ucU5Rn9cYQ

Welcome to the forum. It is in fact possible that one of the springs is not broken. I had a very similar issue on a VV-35 single spring portable, and I track the problem down to a round part on the end of the barrel that secures the barrel against the winding ratchet pawl had gotten loose. This caused the barrel to have some leeway and sometimes jump above the ratchet pawl and release all of its tension. This part may not have been implemented on the two-spring motors, but if you can find it on there, I'd suggest checking it out before you go out and buy a whole new springs. I have attached an old photograph of the part, which is secured on the top of the barrel, below.