The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello everyone - picked up a C250 today, but can't get the record storage door to open. It came with a key (not original) that seems to fit - you can turn and hear the mechanism moving/click - but the door still won't open. Maybe the latch is busted?

Wondering if anyone has encountered this and could offer some advice on getting it open - don't want to try prying it open and damaging the cabinet.

Thanks!

Good for you for not impatiently taking a screwdriver to it!

If the machine has been stored in a damp environment, the door may well be swelled. If that's the situation, just let it dry out in your house. I have an oak VV-XVI which was swollen to the point that the record doors overlapped - - it took several months, but eventually they returned to their normal dimensions.

Good luck!

George P.

The door on my B250 sometimes sticks. While pulling on the door, have someone grab to top of the cabinet, (not the lid), and give the case a twist to the right & left. Cabinet joints sometimes loosen and allow the cabinet to go out-of-square, or lean, thereby pinching the door. A telltale sign of this, aside from sticking, is seen when carefully examining the gap between the door and door opening. A tapering gap signifies a cabinet that has sagged due to loose joints.

I had the same with my c250. If you have the correct key and hear the click, the door may have swollen as mentioned.

I unscrewed the escutcheon plate on mine to better examine if the slide bolt actually slid back. The latch is simple and the key end lobe may be not long enough to pull the latch cka far enough.

Can you peer in the the door crack where the latch is and see if the key fully retracted the bolt?

Hi everyone - appreciate the responses! Took another look and don't think the door is swollen because it moves freely when trying to open - it's just the latch that prevents it from opening. Guess it could be a key issue - looking around for a key and they're pricey - but maybe there's treasure behind the door so the key purchase will be worth it! Will post back if a solution is found.

Where are you located? Maybe someone with a key can come try to open it if indeed it is locked. I have had some of the little spring ball door latches stick also. I have used a thin putty knife to help push in the little ball.

That's a great suggestion - live out in the country - outside of Brush, Colorado - so probably unlikely - but one never knows!

Thanks for the idea.

Possibly someone could loan you a key so you can at least open the cabinet and then possibly find have one fabricated or better yet find something that matches.

Good luck.

blizz