How to remove "stuck" rubber flange on a HMV no.4 soundbox?

[rasmus.baath]

Hi!

Im trying to rebuild a HMV no. 4 soundbox and everything is going reasonably well. At first I could not get it to open but an hour in my freezer fixed that. My problem is that the rubber flange connecting the soundbox to the tone arm is hard like a rock. I got a new spare but the old one is stuck to the backpiece of the soundbox. I've tried mild violence but I haven't been able to move it at all...

Do you have any suggestion or experience regarding how I might remove the flange? More violence?

/Rasmus

[kirtley2012]

if it is a brass no.4 then you can try to pry it off by sliding a knife or screw driver between the rubber and the soundbox's body, if it is pot metal then dont do this! have you tried to soften the old rubber in a attempt to remove it, possibly by heating it, if nothing else works you can see if there is a chemical or solvent that will dissolve the rubber
Alex

[AZ*]

On one #4, I was able to use a hair dryer on a hot setting to soften it a bit so it would budge.

When that doesn't work, I use a Dremel on the hardened rubber. (Yes, more violence!)

[David Spanovich]

(This is probably a dumb suggestion, but it's something I overlooked once, so please forgive, in advance.)

Make sure, before attempting to remove the rubber flange, that you've removed the tiny screws in the collar holding the flange in position. If I remember correctly, there are two of them.

DS

[rasmus.baath]

Thank you for your advice!

Yes, I removed the screws but thanks anyway!

It is a brass No. 4 so it should withstand some violence. I think I'll start heating it up and see if that helps, otherwise I'll guess I have to go down the road of violence...

/Rasmus

[pappde]

Use a small dremel burr about 2mm dia. Burr down right next to the INNER metal ring and go around slowly, use a lower RPM on the motor. Once you made a full circle you can grab the inner metal ring with a plier and try to twist it, if it doesent budge burr a deeper trench around it. This is the very mild force approach.

[rasmus.baath]

I was lucky as heating it for a couple of minutes with a hair blower was enough to soften the rubber flange so I could "bend" it out with a screw driver.

Thanks for the tip!

Today I finished rebuilding a HMV No. 4 soundbox. New diaphragm, new gasket and new flange. Strangely enough I hear no difference at all compared to the pot metal No. 4 that came with the machine (HMV 101), which has a cracked diaphragm, and rock hard rubber. Well, maybe I take it apart some other time and see if I can change something else...

[ewok]

Try to play some records of operatic tenors such as Enrico Caruso. I am sure that you will find out that all the buzzing on the fortissimo high notes are gone.

Today I finished rebuilding a HMV No. 4 soundbox. New diaphragm, new gasket and new flange. Strangely enough I hear no difference at all compared to the pot metal No. 4 that came with the machine (HMV 101), which has a cracked diaphragm, and rock hard rubber. Well, maybe I take it apart some other time and see if I can change something else...

[sathunter]

#Rasmus.baath

Where did you get this wonderfull new rubber flange for the HMV No. 4. I know this is off topic, but i'm searching for a long time to get a spare part, that looks the same as the original rubber flange.

Regards

[gibsonj]

sathunter

Can't speak for rasmus, but here is an excellent source for replacement rubber flanges.

http://www.rmrmfg.com/


John