How many plays per winding?

[Victrolacollector]

I am getting one full side of a record out of a single winding on my Edison B-19 Chalet Diamond Disc machine. How many sides should I be getting on a full winding?
I was thinking at least two, maybe its time for a mainspring job.

[52089]

I am getting one full side of a record out of a single winding on my Edison B-19 Chalet Diamond Disc machine. How many sides should I be getting on a full winding?
I was thinking at least two, maybe its time for a mainspring job.

Unless the B-19 has an unusually small spring, you should get at least 2 full sides out of a single wind. My C-150 has a brand new spring, and after breaking it in a bit, I can crank it 50 times and get 2-3 plays before rewinding.

[Wagnerian]

I'm lucky enough to own a J-19 and LU-37 both of which have single spring motors and can usually get two sides out of one winding but it depends very much on the condition of the disc being played. Unless you have masochistic tendencies really want to remove the mainspring, I would leave it where it is and try re-greasing first. I don't know how much you know about Edison machines, so I'll apologise in advance if you already know all of this but if you have a look at the spring barrel, which you will be able to see with the turntable removed, you will notice a rivet head on one side and 180 degrees on the opposite of the a screw head. With the turntable still removed and you will need someting to stop the turntable spindle revolving - I use a pair of pliers - wind the motor up fully and remove the screw head. In my experience it screws off surprisingly easily and force grease into the screw-hole. If you have a manual grease gun it is easy, if you have to use your finger it is a right pain. It is difficult to know how much grease to use but son't force ot too much - the Edison Company recommended using a full tube of their own grease, I suspose trial and error is the best way. After replacing the screw, allow the motor to run down and the new grease will mix with the old hard grease, softening it in the process. This may not cure your weak-spring problem but in my experience it helps restore some power to the spring.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

Tim W-W