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I was asked to look at and hopefully fix a Victor model VV-X. Apparently at some point in the past while the machine was being wound, it let out an odd noise and never worked again. Now I've never seen a Victrola first hand but I'm one of those people who is good at repairing or modifying most anything.

On exploratory disassembly I was impressed by the engineering of the device. No wires. Nothing electrical. Recorded sound reproduction without electricity. Wow!

I found the spring in the second drum had broken about four inches from the inner end. I removed the spring from the drum, annealed about 6 inches of the broken end, using snips cut off the broken end to create a fresh end, drilled two holes in the end and filed them together to create a new pear-shaped hole, wrestled the spring back into the drum, played around with various bend shapes to the new end so that the tang on the arbor would catch the pear-shaped hole.

Now the motor winds (both drums) and plays at governor speed. Looks like success so far! Hopefully tomorrow I'll have an opportunity to bring this motor plate assembly back to where the rest of the Victrola is, put it back together and play some records on it. I'll post the results when I can.

Looks like you did a great job! Did you pack the spring with grease?

Sounds like you did a great job overhauling the motor. Which version is this, the table top model, the "spider leg version" or the conventional cabinet type?

See -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/X.htm

If the mainsprings give any more trouble, new production mainsprings are available from a number of vendors, and on eBay.

The only other item to restore will probably be the reproducer or "sound box" if this has not been done recently. This will greatly enhance the Victrola's sound quality, and minimize record wear. Fortunately, parts are readily available, and it's not too difficult if you have steady hands. Many sites provide step by step instructions, including this one: https://www.nipperhead.com/old/rep_exhib.htm



OrthoFan

[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KYNdi54A ... ture=share[/YouTube]

Yes, I added grease to the spring/drum I worked on. I also applied a little to the gearing.

At work I sometimes do some pro audio & video, multi-zone sound systems, HD over iP video matrices, DSP, racks of amplifiers totaling many thousand watts, video-jocky booths, A/V systems in clubs and restaurants.
This machine was the polar opposite of that sort of gear.
Not once did I need a multi-meter.
I actually needed a gas torch! (annealing the end of the spring)

As son as you service the soundbox you'll get amazed at the volume and quality of the sound it gives. As is, it sounds... but it's capable of much more!

Steve in Chicago wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2024 11:04 pm Yes, I added grease to the spring/drum I worked on. I also applied a little to the gearing.

At work I sometimes do some pro audio & video, multi-zone sound systems, HD over iP video matrices, DSP, racks of amplifiers totaling many thousand watts, video-jocky booths, A/V systems in clubs and restaurants.
This machine was the polar opposite of that sort of gear.
Not once did I need a multi-meter.
I actually needed a gas torch! (annealing the end of the spring)

This reminds me of this cartoon. It’s copyright protected.

There’s a Herman cartoon, where a man is at a service counter, with an open horn gramophone. The clerk answers smugly
to his inquiry, “We handle electronics, sir. You need a blacksmith”.

https://laughingstock.com/products/print_hm250416

My experience with pro-audio was fun. I was a college audio-visual specialist for 30 years. Boy have things changed!