The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've bought a Columbia Viva Tonal Grafonola No154a at a charity auction. Unfortunately it won't wind fully. After about 30 turns, it starts to make a clicking noise and I can hear it unwind. Consequently it won't play the full side of a record.

I took off the record plate and can see that the part that turns when I wind it starts turning the opposite direction when it starts to click. I didn't open it up fully as I don't really know what I am doing.

Any advice on what is wrong and how to fix it would be appreciated....as well as anything else you can tell me about the gramophone or how to maintain it.

Cheers
Andrew

Your phonograph has a broken spring. It would likely be the outer end of the spring. This sort of action generally means that the catch that connects to the spring barrel is torn out. It could be further nto the spring but the way you describe it, it is likely the spring catch. It is not too difficult to repair but if you have never worked on a spring you would be best off letting a repairer do it. this type of damage is usually caused from over winding. You will need to determine if there is something else going on that would lead someone to overwind the machine. Is there a problem with a dirty motor, is the spring lube dried up, is the governor messed up, etc? It would be best to take the motor apart and give it a complete cleaning.

Ken

Broken spring, a common problem. Take spring barrel out of motor and send it to any phonograph hobbyist or repairman, they can fix it.

Thanks Covah, any idea of someone in Scotland that would do those sort of repairs?

Cheers
Andrew