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I recently purchased an Oak VE-XVI Victrola (I'm a sucker for quarter sawn grain patterns) and noticed that the turntable it came with isn't like the other VE-XVI I own.

On the other VE-XVI (Serial No. 12686, dated to late 1918) the turntable hub does not have the usual keyway for the spindle shaft pin. Instead, it uses a ball bearing held in place with a spring and grub screw. This bearing pressure allows the turntable to grip the spindle, but also lets it slow down gradually once the motor is switched off.
From my understanding, that's a safety feature to prevent torque feedback, from what is essentially a 12" dia. metal flywheel.

On the recent VE-XVI (Serial No. 2445) the turntable has the same keyway found on spring motor models. Since it's rigidly locked onto the spindle shaft, switching off the motor causes the turntable to stop rapidly, shuddering and making a light thumping noise while doing so.

When I got the machine, I noticed the spindle shaft gear that meshes with the governor worm was loose, and that I needed to tighten its set screw back down. My guess is that the "thumping noise" I'm hearing is actually turntable's momentum attempting to turn a now frozen spindle, and it's slipping at the weakest link (the spindle gear set screw.)

My question is, did I get sold a machine with a mismatched turntable, or did Victor actually use the same turntable design for both types of motors in the beginning? I'd rather not keep a turntable that could be causing damage to my machine, but the specially designed Electrola version seem rather difficult to find.

Absolute worst case scenario, is I take the DIY route, by drilling/tapping a hole for a new ball bearing, and filling in the keyway with epoxy. The original felt has already been replaced, so I don't feel as bad for modifying it if needed.

I think the ball detent style turntable is more or less a safeguard against someone grabbing the turntable and jamming the motor, than it is to allow coasting during spin down. That said, unless you suddenly grab the turntable, I think the cross-pin style spindle would probably do no harm.

Lime,

According to the listing “Victor Repair Parts by Tyoe and Serial Number” your VE-XVI should use a turntable with the spring and steel ball, not the type for the cross pin. In fact all serial number VE-XVI’s I use the same turntable, at least through SN 16042

Part number is 3712EGP superseded by 3712MIGP which is the same other than the brown felt.

Here is the parts listing and description.

Mark (real name)

MarkELynch wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:07 am Lime,

According to the listing “Victor Repair Parts by Tyoe and Serial Number” your VE-XVI should use a turntable with the spring and steel ball, not the type for the cross pin. In fact all serial number VE-XVI’s I use the same turntable, at least through SN 16042

Part number is 3712EGP superseded by 3712MIGP which is the same other than the brown felt.

Here is the parts listing and description.

Mark (real name)

IMG_1346.jpeg

Thank you for the information.
In that case, I'll keep looking for a replacement ball and spring turntable.