Garrard 4HF help please - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pauljwhite1975 · 18th Jun 2018, 10:24 pm

Hi all.

New to the forum, so firstly thank you for having me.

Recently picked up a 4HF in decentish condition. It was advertised as working, however and as a lot of them seem to the be the rpm selector was jammed and the speed selector will only stay on the bottom spindle and not move up. Also the linkage almost seems a bit loose, as when selecting auto return it will only work when I manually and gently pull back on the linkage.

Following advice carefully that I have read on this site, I cleaned as much as possible of the linkage and the olied all places mentioned on this site with sewing machine oil, however I am a complete novice and do not wish to force anything. Any suggestions on how to get the speed selector to move up and down freely please? Or worse case scenario can anyone suggest a good repair/ service company within Surrey please?

Also found this bit loose in the deck after I took off the plate. Think it is from the gear selector? Sorry won't let me upload a pic. It looks like a tiny cell battery with two prongs coming out either side -||-

Thanks again, Paul.

AC/HL · 18th Jun 2018, 10:46 pm

Hello and welcome.
See here for help to upload pictures: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=77650

Edward Huggins · 19th Jun 2018, 9:25 am

The loose item you found is highly likely to be the "switch click suppessor" that Garrard fitted. This is a capacitor that minimises "switch clicks" coming from mains arcing when the motor is turned on or off.

Ted Kendall · 20th Jun 2018, 6:29 am

Just to clarify, the 4HF does not auto-return. The Auto function simply stops the motor at the centre of the record.

Restoration73 · 22nd Jun 2018, 5:18 pm

I have recently restored a 4HF, and as you know you need to lift the arm and move it to the right to start it. It is possible the arm may have been moved too far and the total arm travel is insufficient. Where the moving parts have not responded to oil the method I use is to heat using a gas torch. The auto stop and non auto buttons must only be pressed when the arm is on its rest. The switch suppressor (snubber) can be replaced by a 47n 250vAC capacitor in series with a 220R resistor mounted on a tagstrip.

18th Jun 2018, 10:24 pm	#1
Pauljwhite1975 Diode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1	Garrard 4HF help please Hi all. New to the forum, so firstly thank you for having me. Recently picked up a 4HF in decentish condition. It was advertised as working, however and as a lot of them seem to the be the rpm selector was jammed and the speed selector will only stay on the bottom spindle and not move up. Also the linkage almost seems a bit loose, as when selecting auto return it will only work when I manually and gently pull back on the linkage. Following advice carefully that I have read on this site, I cleaned as much as possible of the linkage and the olied all places mentioned on this site with sewing machine oil, however I am a complete novice and do not wish to force anything. Any suggestions on how to get the speed selector to move up and down freely please? Or worse case scenario can anyone suggest a good repair/ service company within Surrey please? Also found this bit loose in the deck after I took off the plate. Think it is from the gear selector? Sorry won't let me upload a pic. It looks like a tiny cell battery with two prongs coming out either side -\|\|- Thanks again, Paul.

18th Jun 2018, 10:46 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Garrard 4HF help please Hello and welcome. See here for help to upload pictures: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=77650

19th Jun 2018, 9:25 am	#3
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Garrard 4HF help please The loose item you found is highly likely to be the "switch click suppessor" that Garrard fitted. This is a capacitor that minimises "switch clicks" coming from mains arcing when the motor is turned on or off. __________________ Edward.

20th Jun 2018, 6:29 am	#4
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,670	Re: Garrard 4HF help please Just to clarify, the 4HF does not auto-return. The Auto function simply stops the motor at the centre of the record.

22nd Jun 2018, 5:18 pm	#5
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Garrard 4HF help please I have recently restored a 4HF, and as you know you need to lift the arm and move it to the right to start it. It is possible the arm may have been moved too far and the total arm travel is insufficient. Where the moving parts have not responded to oil the method I use is to heat using a gas torch. The auto stop and non auto buttons must only be pressed when the arm is on its rest. The switch suppressor (snubber) can be replaced by a 47n 250vAC capacitor in series with a 220R resistor mounted on a tagstrip.