The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all,
I've finally upgraded my old 101 with a very nice 1937 102 in really great working order (plays both side of a record on one winding!) with a very nice 5B.

The only fault is that the spring thumps a couple of times when winding down suggesting I have some sticky grease in the drum. Is it particularly hard to strip and re-grease these? Are there people in the UK offering this as a service?...and how much would it set me back? The last thing I want is to ruin such a nice example but I also really want that grease changed

Could anyone point me to a good quality replacement for the turntable fabric (felt?) as this clearly used to have a record holder left on it which has left a faded pattern.

You don't mention your location, but I'm near Peterborough. I'd be happy do this for you if you can get it to me. I've done this job dozens of times over the years.

Barry

12 inch squares of felt are widely available on eBay in a variety of colours.
I buy the ones in a 50% wool mixture, which are probably the nearest to the originals.
Cut to size and mark the centre hole, using a record as a template.

Hi, congratulation on what looks like a very nice 102.

I found an excellent video "how to" on dismantling an HMV motor. if you're reasonably technically competent you can do it. Be methodical, take photos to help you with reassembly and take your time. Take heed of the warning when removing the spring, there's a lot of tension in these so do wear gloves. I used petrol to clean mine, the old grease was pretty solid and needed a good scrub to get it all off, you can use bog standard grease when putting it back together, a few quid for a tin from Halfords or suchlike.

Google "grambar1 gramophone spring removal" and you should find the video. Also "mrrgstuff" has a bunch of videos in a similar vein.

Well, congratulations on your new acquisition! I would rather talk about a sidegrade in this case, as both portables are collectable and definitely worth keeping.

If you want to try and rehaul the spring yourself, the 102 it's not a bad machine to begin with, as the spring is not of the stiffest type, and in case anything goes wrong it also happens to be one of the machines for which spares are not too hard to find. it requires a bit of strong hands and cold blood, but it can be done. Of course it's up to you to decide if you'd like to learn how to do the job, or if it will be a "one off"; in the latter case perhaps sending the machine to anyone who already knows how to do it would be advisable.

Thanks for all the replies!

I've decided to bite the bullet and re-grease it myself after watching a few videos on how to uncoil / coil it into the drum. It looks like getting the retaining pin back in place will be the bigger challenge! I completely stripped and rebuilt the motor in the 101...except for the spring!

I'll definitely be keeping the 101 as well, although the difference in sound quality as amazing with the 5B compared to the 4

I'll look into the felt, good to know that 50/50 is a good match. As I only have room to keep one on display I did consider swapping the turntable from the 101, but its slightly deeper and the chrome just isn't as bright.

Another question - I've noticed the 5B is very slightly raspy on very loud and higher pitched sounds like trumpets... but not sure if this is just because trumpets always sound a little raspy loud, through a gramophone
Things like In The Mood (Glenn Miller) on the high and loud parts. There is not visible damage, the solder is nice and tight on the tone arm, and the rubber seal is very sealed (I dont actually want to try removing the soundbox it as its currently so well sealed!). No other 5s to compare to unfortunately.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:35 am 12 inch squares of felt are widely available on eBay in a variety of colours.
I buy the ones in a 50% wool mixture, which are probably the nearest to the originals.
Cut to size and mark the centre hole, using a record as a template.

I think I'll do exactly this! I'll shop around for 50/50 blend with a similar brown.

I did find these on ebay but the seller didn't fill me with confidence about the material Anyone got experience with these? I'm guessing full synthetic maybe? They have that regular banding I've seen on synthetic felt.

You may do well by visiting a fabric supply store where you can inspect the exact color and quality of the material. Bottom line is, do not use cheap felt. It will look horrible. Also, select a glue that will not saturate the felt and bleed through to the surface. Honestly, if it were mine, there's no way that I would touch that original felt, oddly faded or not.

JerryVan wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:28 amHonestly, if it were mine, there's no way that I would touch that original felt, oddly faded or not.

Agreed!

I went another route! I have a donor autobrake turntable in the correct colour on the way... for less than a repro felt! The felt on my current one is ready to lift odd with very little effort so if the new one is the same I'll swap the felt, if not then the whole turntable and store the original. I probably wouldnt have bothered but the rest of this gramophone is so pristine the sun damage really stands out. Its also a horrible reminder that this has sadly parted ways with a record carrier that was no doubt just as lovely