The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey everyone,

I am working on this Sonora for a customer and it needs 2 new springs. Can anyone tell me which spring I need to order from Brian? Is the third one from left the correct option?

Also, I don't like working out of my bathtub

And can someone please explain why folks in the past fixed springs like this? (click on last picture to see broken spring) This is at least the third time I have seen this kind of repair

Thanks,

David

David,

I don't see your repaired spring image, but as to why folks, (like me), repaired springs, it's because there was a time with no internet, making it easy to find and source such things as new springs. Unless you somehow stumbled upon a club, such as the Michigan Antique Phonograph Society, MAPS, and found out about parts suppliers, you were left to your own devices to repair your phono motor. Putting a new end on a spring is an acceptable repair to an otherwise good spring. Riveting a broken sping together is a bit problematic. Although, my dad did that once and it lasted for 45 years and is still going today.

If you haven't removed the Sonora spring yet, I think things will look clearer as to a replacement once you do.

Jerry,

That makes a lot of sense. I guess it’s it’s frustrating to have to undo this kind of repair. The spring was really sharp and working in a bathtub getting it out is not really optimal

Here’s a zoomed in picture. A flat head screw was put through and a nut on the back to hold the pieces together.

David

David,

You gotta quit doing this in a bathtub...

I have removed springs by placing the barrel in a large, heavy walled, cardboard box. At the very least, you can put the box on a table or workbench and not have bend over a tub while on your knees. Another option, I suppose, might be a steel trashcan or tub. Get yourself some heavy gloves too while you're at it. Although, I usually do it bare handed. Messy...

David,

Many of the repairs that look like pure hillbilly logic from years ago are what people did before the internet:

Soaking typewriter ribbon in WD40 to get a few more blotchy uses, sharpening Victrola needles, respooling 120 film to be able to use a Kodak 620 camera, mistaking crapophones for real Victors, replacing Edison belts with rubber bands, it's all stuff they did before the Net existed.

Look at Brian's website for the new Mainspring Chart and go from there, so you can do it without having to try measuring the spring with a long piece of baling twine.

Makes it way easier and I think you will like it for future reference on your growing collection.

Charles

JerryVan wrote: Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:07 am David,

You gotta quit doing this in a bathtub...

I have removed springs by placing the barrel in a large, heavy walled, cardboard box. At the very least, you can put the box on a table or workbench and not have bend over a tub while on your knees. Another option, I suppose, might be a steel trashcan or tub. Get yourself some heavy gloves too while you're at it. Although, I usually do it bare handed. Messy...

I always unwind them by hand. I had a almost bad experience just letting them fly out of the barrel. So from then on I always just do it slowly by hand.....

David

dzavracky wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2023 9:02 pm ...

And can someone please explain why folks in the past fixed springs like this? (click on last picture to see broken spring) This is at least the third time I have seen this kind of repair

Thanks,

David

Be glad they just fixed the spring. I'm currently working on a Victor IV were someone in the past simply welded the two spring barrels together, essentially making it a one-spring machine In order to make it look "better" they then painted the motor in radiator paint, the type that gives you silver fingers even decades later. The person was so proud of his job, he wrote his name and address on a paper inside the machine. Hillbilly repairs are the worst

Andreas

alang wrote: Mon Jun 05, 2023 3:16 pm

dzavracky wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2023 9:02 pm ...

And can someone please explain why folks in the past fixed springs like this? (click on last picture to see broken spring) This is at least the third time I have seen this kind of repair

Thanks,

David

Be glad they just fixed the spring. I'm currently working on a Victor IV were someone in the past simply welded the two spring barrels together, essentially making it a one-spring machine In order to make it look "better" they then painted the motor in radiator paint, the type that gives you silver fingers even decades later. The person was so proud of his job, he wrote his name and address on a paper inside the machine. Hillbilly repairs are the worst

Andreas

No way Please post a photo

Also, I figured out which spring... it was HQ82 on Brian's website.

David

As requested

I'd hacksaw the 2 barrels apart and grind off the weld remnants if I were facing that situation. An awful PI the tuchas , I know !!