The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Saal motor (1917-18 patents) with a broken spring. Cranking the handle does not wind the spring, and the turn table won't turn. I am in Colorado and need help fixing the spring. Any suggestions. I have the motor out of the box, and it can be mailed as it weighs around 10 lbs. thanks JMc

I'd recommend sending the whole motor to George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonograph. He's good, fast, and most reasonably-priced of all I've dealt with. He answers emails quickly too!
The link:
http://www.victroladoctor.com/
USPS has the one price "if it fits it ships" priority cartons that would be a good way to send something small but heavy like your motor.
Good luck!
Bob

When I ship a motor or other delicate machinery, I don't take chances with a flimsy box such as a USPS Priority Mail box. It isn't worth the risk of breakage. In my experience, all of the carriers can occasionally be so brutal to packages they could break a cannon ball. "Fragile" on the box means nothing to them. I have received packages that were dropped and/or mashed beyond belief. I double-box and pack the item snug within foam peanuts. Bubble wrap and air bags will deflate or pop under heavy weight, and crumpled newspapers will compress, so I don't recommend using them. Better safe than sorry.