The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am wondering if anyone has successfully dismantled and reassembled a VV2-55 case.

The lower internal metal framework of the case is easily (if tediously) removed from the bottom of the case by removing the 101 screws that secure it. The upper framework, however, is secured to the top of the case with 101 rivets.

My curiosity here is prompted by 1) the great amount of rust I found inside the bottom half of the case on my machine when I had to retrieve a dropped screw and 2) the need to remove, repair, and reinstall the record holder which is held in by two bifrucated rivets, ones only easily accessible from the back of the internal frame work. I would like to clean up the rust and paint the inside of the case. I would like to have a usable record holder.`

I would imagine I could drill out the rivets in the top, countersink the holes in the framework, and replace the rivets with small flat head, slotted, self-threading screws.

Interesting. Some VV2-55 machines had the top internal metal framework secured to the top half of the case with screws.
See also the dismantling work of Mr Dyslexic Genius:

https://youtu.be/EM5qBBZUrtc?si=sIA6lpGWmY-HWwKR

Unfortunately mine is riveted.

Drill out the rivets and replace them with screws. It will make servicing easier in the future...

Curt A wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 2:42 pm Drill out the rivets and replace them with screws. It will make servicing easier in the future...

Yes, most definitely. It won't just make servicing easier; it will make it possible. But ... my oh my are there ever a lot of them there rivets.

I am just wondering if anyone else has ever done this before.

If you mean drilling out rivets and replacing them with screws, then "yes". just not on a VV2-55, but there is no reason it shouldn't work well. Use an awl or pointed punch to make a dent in the center of the rivet head. Then choose a drill bit slightly larger than the rivet and drill it to remove the rivet head and body...

I have totally disassembled my 2-55s in order to make one decent one though I remember more screws than rivets when I tackled that project. To this day I have two screws that never went in quite right and I keep meaning to tap those holes but you're right... there are just SO many that I was never really motivated to put in those last couple as they were SO redundant. I did just drill 4 rivets out of a Vic III spring barrel so that I could flip the main drive gear so I imagine replacing the rivets on a 2-55 with well-sized screws would be no problem... famous last words!

Good luck!