Opera Warble Resolved!
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 11:46 am
My second Opera was a daunting project of a machine that I received after 60 years of non-operation and a partially reversed conversion to electric. The bedplate had been drilled, then dropped, so one of the motor mounts was broken. I had that welded but was able to acquire a low-number bedplate with tag that I refinished from a prior black paint job. I took apart virtually every piece, cleaned (or replaced) and reassembled into the new bedplate.
However, it had two problems: it really didn't want to start on its own and it had a warble. Now, it wasn't a horrible warble. But it was bad enough I refused to play or demonstrate it. Using much of the info I learned from this forum, I dove into the Governor. The start problem was nothing more than adjustment, as it was improperly meshing with the brass drive gear. That left me with the warble. Closer inspection revealed that, in addition to the previously described double-spring on the disc side, the friction disc itself was heavily scarred. This is a much-loved machine and it looks like the pads had worn to metal at some point. So, I took it off, disassembled and removed the added second spring. Then I took to the disc. I don't have a lathe, so I sanded it manually with a block, starting with 400 wet and working my way to 1200. When completed, the grooves and scrapes were gone and it was polished smooth. I did straight-edge it, but that was the best I could do.
End of story, I reassembled and oiled and it plays smooth and warble-free. Once again, thanks to the collectors who have shared the warble/governor correlation that led me to the heart of the problem and resolution. I do have some gear cover, finish and decal work to do still, but it's been resurrected and has turned into a nice machine. More than likely, it was headed to the parts bin had I not chased it down. Shown here with an L reproducer, just serviced by Wyatt. I also have a Diamond A which I generally use for blue amberols.
However, it had two problems: it really didn't want to start on its own and it had a warble. Now, it wasn't a horrible warble. But it was bad enough I refused to play or demonstrate it. Using much of the info I learned from this forum, I dove into the Governor. The start problem was nothing more than adjustment, as it was improperly meshing with the brass drive gear. That left me with the warble. Closer inspection revealed that, in addition to the previously described double-spring on the disc side, the friction disc itself was heavily scarred. This is a much-loved machine and it looks like the pads had worn to metal at some point. So, I took it off, disassembled and removed the added second spring. Then I took to the disc. I don't have a lathe, so I sanded it manually with a block, starting with 400 wet and working my way to 1200. When completed, the grooves and scrapes were gone and it was polished smooth. I did straight-edge it, but that was the best I could do.
End of story, I reassembled and oiled and it plays smooth and warble-free. Once again, thanks to the collectors who have shared the warble/governor correlation that led me to the heart of the problem and resolution. I do have some gear cover, finish and decal work to do still, but it's been resurrected and has turned into a nice machine. More than likely, it was headed to the parts bin had I not chased it down. Shown here with an L reproducer, just serviced by Wyatt. I also have a Diamond A which I generally use for blue amberols.
