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Hi,

After much faffing with a dodgy spring, my HMV 102 motor is now running.

I've progressively increased the number of "winds" to 28. and with the brake moved completely away from its disc on the govenor, the motor seems to turn at a speed I would estimate to be greater than 78 rpm.

Is this correct please?

My lack of knowledge means I don't know if the brake normally rests lightly on the disc to control its rotation speed.

Thanks....Mike

mikeverrechia wrote: Tue Dec 02, 2025 6:35 am Hi,

After much faffing with a dodgy spring, my HMV 102 motor is now running.

I've progressively increased the number of "winds" to 28. and with the brake moved completely away from its disc on the govenor, the motor seems to turn at a speed I would estimate to be greater than 78 rpm.

Is this correct please?

My lack of knowledge means I don't know if the brake normally rests lightly on the disc to control its rotation speed.

Thanks....Mike

The governor, as the name implies, governs the speed of the spindle and turntable. The governor's leather "foot" rests against the spinning disc, and indeed, controls the speed. When the gramophone is fully assembled, moving the speed control lever on the motor board to the right, moves the foot away from the spinning disc, so the disc, combined with the centrifugal force of the three flat-spring loaded weights, spins faster. Moving the lever to the left, moves the foot toward the disc, slowing the the speed. Ideally, the center position of the speed control would be 78 rpm.

There are numerous videos showing how a gramophone's governor works. Do a web search for "How does a gramophone governor work?" ( https://www.google.com/search?as_q=%22H ... type=&tbs= )

Hope this helps.
OrthoFan

Ah. Many thanks Orthofan.

I suspected that was the way it works but just wanted to check before I put the motor back.

I appreciate your reply. Thanks.....Mike