Referring to this machine here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53202
So springs are new and lubricated, motor is cleaned and re-greased, took the governor out, oiled, cleaned, and yet the speed on this will go super fast, then slow to where I want it, then speed up, then slow again. Anyone have this same issue? Find a solution? Everything seems to be where it needs to be. I've experimented with moving the governor forward and backwards (by adjusting the brass end barrels in the main motor mount) and that, not surprisingly, seemed to have no effect. Any hints are helpful!
Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
- Dischoard
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- Victor IV
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
When this fault occurs on the motors I have had the same problem with, it has always been caused by the governor assembly not sliding smoothly along the central shaft. Take the governors out, and remove the central shaft, clean and polish both the shaft itself and the tube that slides along it. Pay particular attention to the tube, clean with a cotton but dipped in thinners or alcohol. When done, put a drop of thin oil on the shaft, slide the governors back on, and secure. Hope this helps?
Barry
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- Dischoard
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
I'll give that a shot, I felt like it was moving pretty smoothly and added some extra oil but didn't actually disassemble and clean it. Looks like delicate work with tiny screws, I'll have to gear up for it 

- gramophone-georg
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
If that doesn't work replace the governor springs.Dischoard wrote: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:03 pm I'll give that a shot, I felt like it was moving pretty smoothly and added some extra oil but didn't actually disassemble and clean it. Looks like delicate work with tiny screws, I'll have to gear up for it![]()
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
Also make sure the governor doesn't have excessive play.
- Dischoard
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
The governor certainly doesn't have excessive play and honestly, the whole thing looks as though it were built last week. It's in beautiful shape, the springs are strong, it's definitely a different system than the Victrola governors, just haven't had this issue on any other machine so I wonder if it's particular to the design. I should post a pic when I take it apart though I think I included one in my original post when I first picked it up...
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- Victor IV
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
You don't have to unscrew each weight and spring, just the one screw that holds the governors on the central shaft.Dischoard wrote: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:03 pm Looks like delicate work with tiny screws, I'll have to gear up for it![]()
Barry
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
Does it have a brake pad like Victrola governors? Maybe it's that the past is dirty or not well oiled... Or the disc against which it slides is not well polished or untrue...
Inigo
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
I think Phono48 has it sussed, those parts must slide absolutely smoothly.
I have had that problem on a couple of machines and that was the fix.
I have had that problem on a couple of machines and that was the fix.
- Dischoard
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Re: Inconsistent Speed on my Brunswick, any help?
For sure, thanks to you both. I dove into the governor today, super easy to take apart. I thought it moved nicely already but when I went to remove the shaft from the governor springs it appeared a bit gummy. I simply used a paper towel to clean off the old grease (that was almost invisible), #0000 steel wool to polish, new grease and oil, and the difference is amazing, no more speed inconsistencies. The issue now is getting the speed correct and in order to do that, I have to remove the table deck and adjust the governor backwards. Not quite as nice as adjusting a Vic, but worth it as the sound is AMAZING on this thing (now that the reproducer has been rebuilt).Hoodoo wrote: Sun Oct 09, 2022 4:04 pm I think Phono48 has it sussed, those parts must slide absolutely smoothly.
I have had that problem on a couple of machines and that was the fix.
Thanks all!