The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Best I can say is to get a little oil into the joint, then while you sit watching TV work the grip in your hands until it loosens up.

I also had success with Liquid Wrench dry lubricant spray. It penetrates and then quickly dries to a white powdery residue (silicone? teflon?), which continues to lubricate without the oily mess. Also great for pot metal.
Andreas

estott wrote:Best I can say is to get a little oil into the joint, then while you sit watching TV work the grip in your hands until it loosens up.

Now you are nice and relaxed, you can go back to trying to loosen the crank handle

Marcel

saxymojo wrote:

estott wrote:Best I can say is to get a little oil into the joint, then while you sit watching TV work the grip in your hands until it loosens up.

Now you are nice and relaxed, you can go back to trying to loosen the crank handle

Marcel

Careful, it has been said blindness is a side effect of this method!

Bill Hey wrote:I recently acquired two Edison Standard cranks. As is often the case, the wooden handles are a bit reluctant to rotate freely. Does anyone know how to correct/deal with such a condition? I get concerned that any thoughts I've had would cause the handle wood to expand thereby increasing the problem rather than curing it. Any advice is appreciated. Take care .. Bill

If you have access to a compressor, it can also help to blast air down between the metal & wood occasionally as you work on rotating the knob, to help remove any loose rust and other debris.
Just be sure to wear safety glasses to prevent the debris flying back into your eyes.

antique1973 wrote:

saxymojo wrote:

estott wrote:Best I can say is to get a little oil into the joint, then while you sit watching TV work the grip in your hands until it loosens up.

Now you are nice and relaxed, you can go back to trying to loosen the crank handle

Marcel

Careful, it has been said blindness is a side effect of this method!

And don't eat Cheetos at the same time or it will turn your crank orange!