The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A collector friend has imported a Victor VI from the States, but has run into problems. Since I have no previous knowledge with servicing or caring for this expensive machine, I want to ask some questions before trying to help him out.
The problems he has with the machine is:
1. When turning the speed dial above 76 rpm, the machine starts to run wildly.
2. The metal plate below the speed dial is lose, so it has to be fastened after correcting the speed, is it the screw under the center dial that is used for fastening this plate? I do not want to test and try things too much with this machine, since it is extremely pricey, and it does not belong to myself. In total I feel rather hesitant to even touch it because it is so pricey, but it is hard to find someone at all here, who can help, so I will give it a try. (One gramophone service man with at least 30 years experience have had a look at it already but had no luck with adjusting the speed)
3. The motor is bumping when playing, so the springs most probably need to be removed and cleaned and regreased, even if the motor itself looks shiny, and also the governor looks cleaned and oiled etc. Maybe not enough grease has been applied to the motor, when opening the barrels, I will soon find that out, of course, or if the springs has not been cleaned.
4. Most important, can someone see any irregular parts? Myself I find it odd how the leather pad touching the friction wheel, is fastened. I have never seen such a construction for fastening the leather pad, please see the attached photos. To me it looks like a substitution, and it can explain why the motor runs wildly...There also seems to be (too?) much room for the governor axis to move sideways, but maybe it is normal for this motor. Again, I have nothing to compare with...

There is nothing wrong with the way the leather friction pad is mounted. As to the speed control, I'll let others who have done it explain the adjustment process.

Here is an image of a speed control. I placed an (primitive) arrow showing one of two holes in a circular nut you will need to tighten.

to get to it you must:

1. Remove the screw you referred to above completely. Be careful as the "cup" (I don't know what to call the thing) with sloped edge, will want to pop off as there is a spring pushing from the other side that uses the same screw as an axle. Don't loose the spring. you should have three parts in your hand at this point the spring, cup and screw. Set them aside.

2. You will now have a clear view to the circular nut, I use two hex jewelers size drivers that fit within the diameter of those two hole to twist (Screw) it tight. Don't dig in to the wood above the nut as you tighten with your drivers.

3. Re assemble the spring, cup and screw. Note the cup has a small pin in its inside diameter and there is a channel in the shaft of the speed control you are re=attaching to. Make sure you line them up.

4. Start to secure the screw holding the cup. Keep the above deck gold side with "76" at approximately 7 o'clock position.

That is your adjustment for setting to 78RPM. The spring will push back the cup so if you loosen it it should slow the turntable down. Tighten or loosen that screw as the spring pushes the cup to push the governor arm allowing for speed regulation.

I find setting the speed an art and I do not profess to be very good doing it. But I understand how they are suppose to work. I hope this helps. John