Collaro 4T200. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

cattlethief · 24th Nov 2021, 8:45 pm

Hi.

Just picked up this nice turntable today took a gamble as it was untested, I have a 2010 but this looked a bit cleaner as it was protected by a solid box.
Anyway I just cannot get the mechanism to move, what is stopping the cam red arrow from moving? I shorted out the terminal where it the circuit completes when moved in white arrow and the motor runs fast and smooth which was good.

Records · 24th Nov 2021, 9:59 pm

probably hardened grease, will need stripping cleaning and regreasing, Collaro are not the easiest things to work on

Techman · 24th Nov 2021, 10:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Records

probably hardened grease

Yes, that's right. It looks exactly the same as the speed change mechanism used on their Tape Transcriptor of the same vintage. That stepped cam will push a spindle (or pin, if you like) up that'll be totally solid with concrete grease. Don't try to force it or you'll bust it!

Analogue man · 24th Nov 2021, 11:47 pm

I had the same problem with mine and sure enough hardened grease was the problem, the other problem mine had was that the turntable bearing was not much cop having had a hard life but otherwise a good deck and if the bearing is good then consider a modern arm and cartridge as the deck can take it.

Audio1950 · 25th Nov 2021, 12:06 am

Beautiful turntables! If you have trouble getting the speed change mechanism apart, try heating the relevant parts with a hair dryer to melt the old grease.

Barry

RojDW48 · 25th Nov 2021, 4:43 pm

I expect you are aware of this - the speed change mechanism only works with the platter in place. I have just resurrected one of these - lovely TTs.

Radio Wrangler · 25th Nov 2021, 5:06 pm

Ah, a 'still life' but only a photographer who fixes stuff would fully appreciate it.

The speed knob removed from its shaft on the motor deck, the water-pump pliers beside it on the bench...

David

Chiltern · 25th Nov 2021, 5:32 pm

All good advice, excellent machines. Take care not to force the mechanism, specially the switch, as this can now be fragile and difficult to find a replacement. Change the capacitor across this switch, the deck is now 60 years old and if this has not failed it soon will.

Here is a pic of the same model deck, very kindly donated by Cre8anet last year. It took a long time to get to me with covid and travel restrictions but well worth it. Mounted in a Sapele plinth I made and fitted with a Rega R200 arm, it works very well and is a favorite.

Alan

John10b · 25th Nov 2021, 7:33 pm

If you do decide to dismantle the mechanism take plenty of pictures before you start, it will make it easier for you when you reassemble. The switch on the Collaro I serviced was broken and I had to fabricate a new one, unable to source a replacement.
John

wd40addict · 26th Nov 2021, 6:34 pm

As this is becoming a 4T200 love-in here's mine

Arm shown is an Origin Live, but it's currently sporting a Rega R200.

24th Nov 2021, 8:45 pm	#1
cattlethief Diode Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Posts: 1	Collaro 4T200. Hi. Just picked up this nice turntable today took a gamble as it was untested, I have a 2010 but this looked a bit cleaner as it was protected by a solid box. Anyway I just cannot get the mechanism to move, what is stopping the cam red arrow from moving? I shorted out the terminal where it the circuit completes when moved in white arrow and the motor runs fast and smooth which was good. Attached Thumbnails

24th Nov 2021, 9:59 pm	#2
Records Hexode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Harwich, Essex, UK. Posts: 429	Re: Collaro 4T200. probably hardened grease, will need stripping cleaning and regreasing, Collaro are not the easiest things to work on __________________ Being me is easy, its the image thats hard..ELVIS

24th Nov 2021, 11:47 pm	#4
Analogue man Hexode Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Raunds, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 355	Re: Collaro 4T200. I had the same problem with mine and sure enough hardened grease was the problem, the other problem mine had was that the turntable bearing was not much cop having had a hard life but otherwise a good deck and if the bearing is good then consider a modern arm and cartridge as the deck can take it.

25th Nov 2021, 12:06 am	#5
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,763	Re: Collaro 4T200. Beautiful turntables! If you have trouble getting the speed change mechanism apart, try heating the relevant parts with a hair dryer to melt the old grease. Barry

25th Nov 2021, 4:43 pm	#6
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Collaro 4T200. I expect you are aware of this - the speed change mechanism only works with the platter in place. I have just resurrected one of these - lovely TTs. Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

25th Nov 2021, 5:06 pm	#7
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,896	Re: Collaro 4T200. Ah, a 'still life' but only a photographer who fixes stuff would fully appreciate it. The speed knob removed from its shaft on the motor deck, the water-pump pliers beside it on the bench... David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

25th Nov 2021, 5:32 pm	#8
Chiltern Heptode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 555	Re: Collaro 4T200. All good advice, excellent machines. Take care not to force the mechanism, specially the switch, as this can now be fragile and difficult to find a replacement. Change the capacitor across this switch, the deck is now 60 years old and if this has not failed it soon will. Here is a pic of the same model deck, very kindly donated by Cre8anet last year. It took a long time to get to me with covid and travel restrictions but well worth it. Mounted in a Sapele plinth I made and fitted with a Rega R200 arm, it works very well and is a favorite. Alan Attached Thumbnails

25th Nov 2021, 7:33 pm	#9
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,887	Re: Collaro 4T200. If you do decide to dismantle the mechanism take plenty of pictures before you start, it will make it easier for you when you reassemble. The switch on the Collaro I serviced was broken and I had to fabricate a new one, unable to source a replacement. John

26th Nov 2021, 6:34 pm	#10
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: Collaro 4T200. As this is becoming a 4T200 love-in here's mine Arm shown is an Origin Live, but it's currently sporting a Rega R200. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by wd40addict; 26th Nov 2021 at 6:43 pm.