Help!! - Gramophone repair/refurbishment

[JukKluk2]

Hi Chaps and Chappesses,

 

One of my sons-in law's father's has an old gramophone that needs attention of the TLC variety. I know nothing about these things, do you?

 

The only details that I have about it are contained in the photo's attached. It resides in the Newcastle area so any suggestions will be gratefully received.

 

Cheers,

 

JK2

[aussievintage]

Yes, I have restored 2 of them so far.    First issue, does the main spring still work.  Can you wind it up and will it play for at least one record side.  If not, there are people, in Australia, who will install new springs in the motor.

 

 

[VanArn]

 I cannot advise on any repairers as I would think they are long gone with their tools and spare parts.The major issue with acoustic gramophones is the flat steel spring in the wind up motor mechanism.. If this is broken you will need to find a replacement. From your photo  the mica diaphragm on the tone arm  appears to be cracked and this would reduce the acoustic output. A patch using super glue thinly applied to the crack in the diaphragm may provide a simple restoration.

Edited April 26, 2019 by VanArn
typo

[aussievintage]

I agree the diaphragm looks cracked.  Be careful if applying glue while it is in place, you don't want to glue it to the rest of the bits behind it.   I would recommend disassembling the reproducing head first.  There will probably be rubber seals that have gone hard as well.    

 

You can get replacement reproducing heads if that one doesn't restore well.  You might be able to get a restored one, and I have even seen new ones for sale, from India I think.  The new ones may be a be cheap and nasty, I don't know about the quality as they make some cheap and nasty gramophone copies as well.

Edited April 26, 2019 by aussievintage

[aussievintage]

Also, get a photo of the clockwork mechanism underneath so we can see what condition it is in.  I have seen on that was so worn it would not be worth fixing.  On the plus side, the pictures so far look like yours is in reasonable condition.

[aussievintage]

13 minutes ago, VanArn said:

 I cannot advise on any repairers as I would think they are long gone with their tools and spare parts.The major issue with acoustic gramophones is the flat steel spring in the wind up motor mechanism.. If this is broken you will need to find a replacement. From your photo  the mica diaphragm on the tone appears to be cracked and this would reduce the acoustic output. A patch using super glue thinly applied to the crack in the diaphragm may provide a simple restoration.

Most can still be obtained.   Need to check the actual model etc.

[aussievintage]

A link to a local restorer.  http://www.yoaa.com.au/services.html

 

 

[t_mike]

Watching this with interest as I have 2 little suitcase jobbies as well.

[aussievintage]

One I restored

 

 

 

[audiofeline]

In WA:  https://vwgc.org.au/

[wartman]

I have restored two of these, they both had broken springs.

As long as the break is close to the end of the spring, you can snip off the last couple of centimetres and copy the holding slot that has broken. 

Warning, these can take your head off if not done carefully.

[aussievintage]

1 minute ago, wartman said:

I have restored two of these, they both had broken springs.

As long as the break is close to the end of the spring, you can snip off the last couple of centimetres and copy the holding slot that has broken. 

Warning, these can take your head off if not done carefully.

 

I remember either my father or grandfather saying they never lasted as long as a new one when you did that.  Still, it's a quick fix, especially if a new one is hard to get.

 

I must admit, I decided not to risk my fingers and got YOAA  (link above) to put a new one in for me.

[Diamond3828]

Hi. Would you mind telling me how much is it to replace the spring with the repairers in Syd? Thank you