The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Has anyone ever seen a mainspring explode like thins one did? It had to sound terrible. It is from an Edison Standard I am working on.

I have not seen a phonograph mainspring break like that, but I certainly have for many pocket watches. The old time watchmakers once said this meant the pocket watch was struck by lightning. I never was sure if that was said with tongue in cheek.

John

That's a doozy Ken. You don't see that too often. I've had some peculiar broken springs over the years, so nothing surprises me.

I've seen one like that before. It must have literally jumped off the table when it let go. I'm assuming it let go when fully wound and the shock wave of hitting the spring barrel caused the multiple other fractures.... or, maybe it was lightening?

I've seen broken springs, but never an epic failure like that.

I had a Diamond Disc spring go once in several sections, but not as severe as that! I was purchasing a C-19 that had been stored in a garage subject to temperature fluctuations, evidently fully wound, for who knows how long. I got it out to the driveway, pulled off the reproducer and then the turntable, and the motor started to run down. I figured it would be a good time to get the car. As I was backing into the driveway, a BANG!!! rang out - I thought I had hit the C-19, or a mailbox, or a tire blew. Fortunately I was buying the machine mostly for the discs!

Looks like it was being used in sub freezing temperature?

Watch for minute 1:19!
OH THE HUMANITY!

Cheers, Bob S.

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