The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello - I am about finished re-assembling my recently acquired R. The spring that actuates the brake broke - it was deformed/twisted and rubbing the bottom of the platter - I disconnected it and the end broke off. I have an email to George and Kris at Great Lakes Ant. Phonograph.
Meanwhile I am trying to obtain one or fabricate it. The diameter of the steel is 1.6 mm. - basically half circle about 1.5 inches across. Any suggestions appreciated.

Is it possible to reshape the broken end and get by with a slightly shorter spring? To reshape, you'll have to anneal the end.

Jerry - I think that may work but I am hesitant to break the original further

I made it this far with making a replacement but even with a lot of heat on it (maybe too much) it snapped when I tried to bend it up for the small piece at the end (where it would slip in the hole in the underside of the brake). The pliers are the location of the 'up' tab. I don't think I have to be as precise to original as I was trying to be. I think if I do it in reverse order I can do it ('up' tab first, bend to circular size and then 'in' tab).

You will have to use a small torch to get the wire red hot and slowly bend it.

Reversing the order of the bends (with a torch) was much easier. It works fine and doesn't look much different than original. If anyone needs one - let me know before I forget what I did.