The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello TMF users -

I am currently working on restoring a VV-2-55 portable. (I rebuilt/refinished a 4-3 Consolette this past summer). I've run into a few quirks and need some professional expertise. Hoping someone here can help.

1) The R-367 Reproducer does not have a set screw to hold in the isolator (some call it insulator). I am replacing it on this Reproducer. How is it held in? Beeswax? Adhesive (what kind)? Sheer determination?
2) What are the chances I can drill out the broken off needle set screw? Failure is definitely an option. If so, where do I find a replacement needle bar, and how do I get the darn thing out of the case (does the pivot bar just push out one side to the other)? see photo

And yes, I know I should just send the Reproducer to Wyatt for rebuild, but I thought I'd take a crack at it and see how it goes - along with Wyatt's comprehensive guide, still available on the webarchive.
(https://web.archive.org/web/20180806174 ... honic.html)

Thanks for any help,

Dawne

I just re-read Wyatt's instructions. Seems the silicone treatment will work best for the isolator... question 1 answered.

Dawne

Looks like mine.

Is the crank supposed to be stored up on top of the platter? I put mine down in the horn.
Do you plan to replace the outer vinyl cover? Mine is separated (shrunk) at the corners.

Yes, the crank is not correct in my "before" picture. It goes the other way around, with the handle down in the "horn" area. That way, the metal cross piece at the end doesn't mar the finish on the side of the case.

My outside had some separation at corners, too, and one small mar that looked like a burn mark. I glued down the loose edges at the corners and filled the "gap" at corners with extra glue. I then used Tarrago Shoe Cream, black, over the whole outside. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CRGR5E?ps ... ct_details. Found a recommendation for that on the Antique Phonograph Enthusiasts Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/phonoenthusiasts.

The problem with trying to replace the outside covering is that the upper lid interior piece is held in place by rivets, not screws. Including two riveted exterior feet at the bottom. Since my exterior wasn't in really bad shape, I opted to clean it up and repair the burn rather than replace the material and have to deal with riveting it back together (or find a screw solution).

Yours has a great reproducer/tone arm cradle. Mine disintegrated and I'll be making a new substitute out of foam/felt. (After I finish the motor and reproducer rebuilds).

Dawne

Here it is nearly finished.

I know some will admonish me for painting the interior, but the original paint came completely off with a water-only soak. Since it’s for my personal use only, I opted for a color I liked: Color shift copper-green. So from one angle it looks a lot like the original paint, from this angle, green. The crinkle effect of original is still there. Will replace logo with a replica (due in soon).

I also had to build a custom reproducer cradle as the original rubber was completely hard, cracked and misshapen. I used another’s suggestion to 3-d print the base of the cradle so it fits snuggly into the deck recess, then added the padding and covered in felt - matching record storage. (May also replace reproducer felt will same color.)

Motor stripped down, cleaned, greased. Spring disassembled, cleaned, repacked. Speed adjusted and running really well.

The reproducer is with Wyatt for rebuild. Tested it with the reproducer from my 4-3, sounds pretty good for a portable machine.

One more saved from the scrap heap. “Before” picture in first post. This one will go with me to vacation cabin. Looking forward to lazy afternoons on the porch with some music and beverage.

Dawne