The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Tonight I put a cylinder on the mandrel, turned the machine on, and the mandrel did not move. In the past I would give the mandrel a spin with my finger whenever that happened and it would take off. Tonight nothing happened. Would anyone know how to resolve this?


Rocky

Is it an early Amberola 30 that has the speed control that comes up through the gear cover? If so, is it possible that someone changed the adjustment? Maybe you need to oil the governor. Does it seem to have spring tension when it is being wound? Jerry B.

Yes, the machine is an early Amberola 30 with the speed control readily accessible. And the machine is fully wound. I'm hesitant to open the machine and look around with it being wound.


Rocky

First thing to do is to remove the gear cover, and see whether something has gotten in and jammed the gears....

Bill

Rocky,

Have you loosened the screw at the end of the mandrel and backed up the retaining piece (it's a small ring) a touch then re-tightening the screw? I've seen several Amberolas that wouldn't play because the end piece had shifted and tightened the mandrel up so much that it won't turn. That would be the first thing I'd check.

Hope this helps.

Sean

Sean,

Many thanks! I did as you suggested and it worked.



Rocky