Grafonola Reproducer

[Phonofreak]

I just purchased a Columbia Grafonola model 100 in Oak. The reproducer needs rebuilding. It has the large ring with the 4 holes in it. Is there a tool or a technique to remove the ring so I can rebuild the reproducer? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Harvey Kravitz

[Jerry B.]

There must have been a tool with four pins that match the holes in the Columbia reproducer. I have never seen one. Has anyone else? Jerry Blais

[alang]

Actually, it was a two pronged tool. Our own Tinkerbell found one on eBay a while ago. Here is a link to the topic:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=4662

Since I don't have such a tool I simply use a piece of wood with two nails in the correct distance. Cut off the tips of the nails, so you don't mess up the paper rings under the gaskets. Also be very careful not to let the mails slip out of the holes while turning, that can badky scratch the nickel plating.

BTW: Before you can remove the ring you also need to loosen one of the little screws that hold the needle bar, otherwise you won;t have enough space to completely loosen the ring.
Good luck
Andreas

[Guest]

[quote="alang"]Actually, it was a two pronged tool. Our own Tinkerbell found one on eBay a while ago. Here is a link to the topic:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=4662

Since I don't have such a tool I simply use a piece of wood with two nails in the correct distance. Cut off the tips of the nails, so you don't mess up the paper rings under the gaskets. Also be very careful not to let the mails slip out of the holes while turning, that can badky scratch the nickel plating.

BTW: Before you can remove the ring you also need to loosen one of the little screws that hold the needle bar, otherwise you won;t have enough space to completely loosen the ring.
Good luck
Andreas[/quote]



I had this issue a while ago when i bought my first Columbia.. What i did was was take a small block of wood. I measured the distance on the reproducer and traced it to the piece of wood. Then i took 4 nails and nailed them through the wood till just a little of the nail tip came through. Then i just took it and twisted and it unscrewed I have done 4 of my Columbia reproducers with this and it works all the time, just make sure to go easy as its Pot Metal, once to break it, you cant fix it.

[Phonofreak]

Hi Andreas,
Thanks for the tip. I would have never thought of that. I know I will be using penetrating oil before I unscrew it. It sounds simpler than I thought.
Harvey Kravitz

[alang]

You're very welcome. I receive so much help here, I am glad to be able to give back.
One more thing: Columbia does not use a screw to secure the needle bar to the mica, but rather a very small nut. Until now I have not been able to find the correct driver for this nut, so I use long needle nose pliers coming in through the back to very carefully unscrew it. There is also a tiny rubber washer under that nut, don't loose that. Also, there are paper rings to prevent the gaskets from sticking to the body of the reproducer and to the screw on ring. Try not to damage those.

Good Luck.
Andreas

[Brad]

Since I don't have such a tool I simply use a piece of wood with two nails in the correct distance. Cut off the tips of the nails, so you don't mess up the paper rings under the gaskets. Also be very careful not to let the mails slip out of the holes while turning, that can badky scratch the nickel plating.

BTW: Before you can remove the ring you also need to loosen one of the little screws that hold the needle bar, otherwise you won;t have enough space to completely loosen the ring.
Good luck
Andreas

Rather than nails that you have to cut the heads off, just use a couple of needles. I think that loud tones would fit the best.