Speed adjustment issue with an Edison Home Phonograph

[Edisonfan]

I have a question? I have an Edison two minute cylinder home phonograph, that I have trouble getting the speed just right. Can the machine go out of alignment, from just sitting and not being played or what? For a while I was told it was playing too fast. I think I have it now but I'm not sure. I'll put up a video from Youtube on it.


Paul


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqrpIoM3bqM[/youtube]

[Andersun]

IMHO, it sounds a bit to fast and warbly. I suspect their might be an issue with belt slippage. It sounds like the machine has to be in a overspeed condition to compensate for the slippage of the belt. With belt slippage, you will get the warble. Check the belt and also the belt tensioner. One or the other or both may be too loose.

Steve

[Edisonfan]

I take it the belt tensioner is the little brass wheel? It does feel a bit loose?

Paul

[Edisonfan]

The belt feel a little loose too? But I don't know if it needs changing or what.

[edisonphonoworks]

The basic rules for adjustment of Edison phonographs, first of all governor must be balanced, to reduce warble, the weights should be weighted and balanced so all weight the same. The next is all the motor bearings should be adjusted properly, they should not be too loose or too tight, the governor should have slight play, and the shaft of the governor should be free from oxidization, polished and oiled so the flywheel on the adjustment pad, should have no gunk which can cause variation. The spring barrel shaft should be polished and smooth, no burrs to inhibit the unwinding of the spring, the spring should be clean and re-greased, I use mobile 1 synthetic grease mixed with graphite. Yes the belt tension device, the spring should not be too forceful inhibiting the force of the motor, or too loose causing the belt to slip. The brass wheel should be free of gunk and no blemish on the outside it should roll easily, oil the shaft, but do not get any on the belt or any pully that the belt travels on. The top works, the main shaft without the belt should roll smooth with no end shake, it should roll for several times, when one used the hand. The reproducer carriage , the shaft should be polished and dry, not sticky, the straight edge oiled with a fingertip amount of oil. To adjust the half nut, a piece of paper should be put under the front of the carriage to adjust the half nut, loosen the two screws on the top of the half nut, and rock the mandrel back and forth until the reproducer carriage effortlessly goes along the feed screw. These directions should make just about all Edison phonographs pay with maximum efficiency.

[Andersun]

The belt tensioner should rotate freely and spin freely and have good tension on the belt from a spring which is mounted on the tensioner mounting stud.

The belt can be adjusted by loosing or tightening the front motor mounts. This site has some pics as to how the belt and tensioner should be oriented.

http://www.intertique.com/EdisonPhonographRepair.html

Steve