Wind Up Gramophone
 

Hi folks

I have never ventured into trying to restore one of these but I came across someone having a good house clearance and out of the stuff was this wind up gramophone, the only trouble is that the Primaphonic sound head made I think by Thorens has took a bit of a bash and as you see by the photographs the spacer which measure 40mm dia 10mm thick and has a 25mm hole in it has busted and the sound head has done the same, I think there should be a pin of some sort which locates in the arm where the sound travels along.

Perhaps someone might be able to point me in the right direction as to where I might be able to get a good one.

Best wishes

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

It's that horrible Monkey Metal stuff again!

I'll let Barry the gramophone expert advise.

Cheers,

N.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

That is in a sad old state. As Nick says.....Barry will know what to do with it.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

I've just checked and Thorens parts were badge engineered so you will probably find that the soundboxes which will fit can have many makes on them.

If that round grey bit is the only part that is broke it might be possible to knock something up to replace it.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

The machine certainly looks restorable, but first we need to know if the motor winds up and runs, because if it doesn't, and it needs a new spring, then it could well end up a very uneconomical repair. Most soundboxes are standard sizes, so I'm sure something can be located quite easily. Be aware though that soundboxes are the most easily damaged, and therefore the most desirable part of any gramophone, and consequently are not cheap!

Barry

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Hello Barry

Yes the motor will wind up and run, I have cleaned it up quite a bit so looks much better.

And yes Dave, I think I could get the right size material to make that spacer I might be able to get the sound box back as it should but if one turns up then that will make life a bit easier.

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

It looks like part of the soundbox is still attached to the arm. That collar should be turned toward you until it stops, then pulled straight off. Looking at the pictures, I think the broken ring must be the rubber insulator that has turned solid? It shouldn't be too difficult to cut another one, providing you can find a bit of rubber of the same thickness.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Hi Barry

Yes indeed, just a matter of finding something thick enough. On the sound box is there or should there be a locating pin which would locate into the collar you speak of?

Best wishes

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

The locating pin is in that collar, which is part of the soundbox, not the arm. The collar and the broken ring should be one piece.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Is the broken part rubber, pot metal or fibre?

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

As far as I can see, it should be rubber, but it has often hardened to the point where it could be mistaken for bakelite. As it has actually broken, I reckon this was the case.

Barry

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

When I first saw it I assumed like Nick that it was pot metal and had crumbled. If it's rubber he is in a lot better position to try and restore it even by a bodge.

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Thanks Barry for the information about the location pin, this means the collar you speak of will have to be glued to the sound box in some way and the part I thought was a spacer. looks like an araldite job.

I will press on and progress with it.

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Hi Folks

Found a way of getting the collar and spacer as one piece, I formed a temporary mould, and used a good amount of araldite with the collar in the middle, now all I have to do is find out what position the little spigot inside the collar is in relation to the three fixture holes which form a Y shape so that I can mark out and drill the holes so that the sound box is at the correct angle in relation to the tone arm.

Best wishes

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

The pin should be roughly at the top of the collar, but what holes do you need to drill?

Barry

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Hi Barry

Its the fixture holes for the three screws that hold the whole thing on the sound box, there is a metal plate through which these screws go and the collar which is mounted now in the new moulded spacer I have made. will put picture of this on here.

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

Ah right. I hadn't twigged that you were making a new spacer, I thought you were using the original.

Hi Barry and everyone

Here are a couple of photos of the progress on this gramophone, as you see, the spacer now in place on the sound box, I will have to smarten up the back of the sound box though as the die cast is a bit cracked, I will use araldite on this and some black paint.

I tried this and I got a surprise as to how loud it sounded with a Winnie Attwell record.

Bit more to do.

Ken

Re: Wind Up Gramaphone
 

A good job, well done!

Barry