The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just bought a VV-IX at the Midwest show. It finally gave me the opportunity to get the gumption to tear into the motor to tackle cleaning and repacking the springs. It was a good learning experience and it runs nicely now.
When I was reassembling it, I ran across an odd occurrence. The retaining rings on both barrels somehow gained length by 1/16th or 1/8th inch. I made sure the covers were all the way down all around the circumference. When I put the rings back on they overlapped somehow. I wonder if anyone has seen this. I can't figure out how it might have happened. I ended up grinding the ends down so that ends met when they were in place.
I now have a couple more phonos I want to replace springs on. Fortunately single spring. If this has happened to anyone, do you know why, or what you did to correct it ? Thanks

Those rings are cut to a very precise length. I can assure you, they did not grow. What happens very often, is that the groove is not perfectly clean of debris or even small dents & burrs. Everything must be nearly perfect for them to fit. I'll admit, I've trimmed a couple in the past. Usually though, it's a matter of gripping the ring with pliers at various points around the circumference of the barrel, forcing it into the groove completely* and fully*, all the way around. Doing that usually brings the ends into alignment, allowing them to snap into place.

*It may appear that the ring is seated in the groove, but it must be tightly seated in the groove in order to work. Since the ring is not a perfect & precise circle, small areas will gap slightly out of the groove unless forced in place.

Thanks for your reply. Pressing all around the ring didn't seem to change anything, and the groove seemed to be all clean at the time. I will be sure to follow through with your suggestions next time.