The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I’ve been trying to fix this phonograph recently and it’s really hard to wind up and when the stylus goes onto the record, it just slows down and stop until the belt starts to slip on the gears underneath and only the motors start running again. I know a lot about how they work but I am a complete noob when it comes to springs haha, help appreciated.

Sounds like a problem with the upper works, not the mainspring.
More than likely it's because the half nut that drives the reproducer across the cylinder needs adjusting, but it's also possible the belt isn't tight enough.

I agree, the problem is likely a mis-adjusted half nut. It shoult fit to the bottom of the feed screw without undue pressure. However, looking at your spring, it needs a good cleaning before you put it back in the barrel. You can see lubrication that has turned to varnish on the spring. If you put it back in that way the spring will stick to itself. The way I like to clean a spring like that is to use 00 or 000 steel wool and WD40. Spray WD40 on the steel wool and clean off the old lube with the steel wool. The WD40 will dissolve the lube and you can wipe it off with paper towels. Lube the spring when you put it back in.

Ken Danckaert

Just an observation to add my $.02, that spring looks really tired. At the inside of the coil it's almost completely closed up at rest.

Cheers,
Fran

The outer end is bent at a 90° angle too, and will possibly break across the pear shaped hole if you attempt to straighten it out. If it doesn't snap straight away there's a good chance it would in the near future..

@gramophoneshane unfortunately the spring wouldn’t come out without force but I bent it back and it seems fine

@kendphono what do I lube it back up with? Thanks for help

Thomas1899 wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:58 am @kendphono what do I lube it back up with? Thanks for help

This is a topic that has been covered many times. This board has an excellent search function. If you search for "spring lubrication" or similar, you will find many options, and just as many opinions.

52089 wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:01 pm

Thomas1899 wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:58 am @kendphono what do I lube it back up with? Thanks for help

This is a topic that has been covered many times. This board has an excellent search function. If you search for "spring lubrication" or similar, you will find many options, and just as many opinions.

Ah ok sorry I’m kind of new to this community

I would use a lithium based axle grease. That grease is made for working in a high pressure environment. If you are going to stay with that spring. I would break off the bent end in a vise and then hear about 6 inches of the spring red hot and let it cool slowly. THis would let you drill a new hole. Once you have a hole. shape it with a dremel and a diamond or carbide bit to get the proper pear shape.

Ken