The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,

Hello everyone, I'm Marie, and I'm new to the forum. I'm very pleased to meet you all and hope I'm in the right place with my questions

I'm here because a good friend of mine recently found an HMV130 phonograph at a flea market. He was attracted by its beautiful but somewhat worn box and, not really knowing what it was, bought it and brought it to me for repair, as I often work on restoring various wooden furniture.

Restoring the exterior to its original condition will be no problem. However, after doing some research, I've become intrigued and would love to try making the phonograph functional again. As a complete beginner in this area, I don't know if the phonograph still works or what maintenance or repairs it might need. I'm looking for tips and tricks to get started and avoid turning this project into an epic failure.

I have taken some pictures of the phonogram which seems to be in pretty good condition at first look, except for the handle who doesn't seem to fit very well.
I'll try to post them but haven't figured yet how to, apologies

Many thanks in advance for your kind help on this topic!

Welcome! Looking forward to the pictures.

Most UK collectors rate the HMV130 as one of the best table models ever made, and well worth restoration.
If you encounter any problems, this forum is the place to find the answers.

JerryVan wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 11:32 am Welcome! Looking forward to the pictures.

Thank you!
Hereby the pictures enclosed, finally figured it just took a drag 'n drop to upload them
not sure whether they can be relevant at this stage?

Hi All,

Finally found the time to start "unboxing" the mechanism of the HMV130!

At first vieuw, the mechanism seems to be in a quite good shape (no bolts or particular pieces missing that I can see).
As for functionning, when turning the crank the parts do turn, except for the biggest "wheel"-like piece. As soon as I stop turning the crank, everything stops.
I don't feel any particular opposing force when turning the crank, but hear a "tunk" sound after a few cranks.

My guess would be maybe some worn out/broken spring?
Also, I have no idea where to find a new spring if this is the case.
I would love to hear your ideas about it!

Hereby in attachment a few photos of the mechanism I got out of the box. It seems well oiled as the pieces turn smoothly.
I will try to clean it and re-oil it this afternoon.

Also, I've found litteraly a ton of different needles (shapes, materials differ) - counted over 75.
Does anyone know if there are different needles to be used for different uses?

Many thanks in advance for your kind advice !

It sounds like the classic symptoms of a broken spring. Search this forum for The Phonograph Shop and Brian Parlier for new springs. It's best to replace both, (there are 2 springs in there). Look at YouTube videos for spring removal & replacement to decide if it's something you want to do, versus having it done.

JerryVan wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:41 am It sounds like the classic symptoms of a broken spring. Search this forum for The Phonograph Shop and Brian Parlier for new springs. It's best to replace both, (there are 2 springs in there). Look at YouTube videos for spring removal & replacement to decide if it's something you want to do, versus having it done.

Thank you for confirming my thoughts I will for sure check The Phonograph Shop and Brian Parlier for new springs, thank you so much.
I will probably replace both indeed, just to be sure.

I saw some interesting videos and it doesn't seem to be that difficult to do - except it seems to require a lot of strength?
I don't think I will be able to find someone who does that kind of replacement in Belgium, so no choice but to try the 'trial and error' technique and doing it myself

As Jerry mentioned, it is quite certainly a broken spring. As to fixing the problem, since this is a very common motor (HMV 32) and easily found in UK eBay, I would recommend to buy a complete replacement motor and install it - evidently making sure that the replacement motor works before buying it - it will be cheaper and cause less strife than buying new springs and trying to replace them. Concerning the needles you found, I would just throw them away - they are probably used ones, and it is cheap to buy a pack of new needles - this way you don't risk eating away your records playing them with used needles - these gramophone steel needles can only be used once, and then should be discarded.

CarlosV wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:38 am As Jerry mentioned, it is quite certainly a broken spring. As to fixing the problem, since this is a very common motor (HMV 32) and easily found in UK eBay, I would recommend to buy a complete replacement motor and install it - evidently making sure that the replacement motor works before buying it - it will be cheaper and cause less strife than buying new springs and trying to replace them. Concerning the needles you found, I would just throw them away - they are probably used ones, and it is cheap to buy a pack of new needles - this way you don't risk eating away your records playing them with used needles - these gramophone steel needles can only be used once, and then should be discarded.

Hi Carlos,

This could be another interesting option indeed! I already enquired about the price of springs , but I will definitely keept this in mind.
However, I'm not so certain it's broken in the end, because I managed to make it run without sound with just spraying some WD-40 just about, well, everywhere?
(see video in attachment) So I'm wondering if it was just some mechanisms that were seized and if, in fact, I have a running tool here ?

- apologies if I say stupid things but I really don't know much about these things and it's really a first time for me

MarieP wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:16 am
Hi Carlos,

This could be another interesting option indeed! I already enquired about the price of springs , but I will definitely keept this in mind.
However, I'm not so certain it's broken in the end, because I managed to make it run without sound with just spraying some WD-40 just about, well, everywhere?
(see video in attachment) So I'm wondering if it was just some mechanisms that were seized and if, in fact, I have a running tool here ?

- apologies if I say stupid things but I really don't know much about these things and it's really a first time for me

Looks like it is working! Try to wind it up giving it some turns until you feel a resisting force, and put it to run to check if it runs smoothly. It should run smoothly for the duration of a record, about 4 minutes at least.