His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

timohaveri · 30th Jun 2021, 11:48 pm

I was asked to repair a His Master's Voice 87 gramophone. The main issue was dried up grease. In the process of cleaning I managed to brake one of the two governor springs

Does anyone know where I could obtain a new one (or used)?

The other problem is the spring that prevents the handle from turning in the wrond direction (I don't know the proper name for it, sorry). The end portion of the spring that goes under the retaining screw is broken. I was thinking of making a new end for the spring by straightening one turn of the coil portion. Would this work or do I need that part too?

Best regards,
Timo

timohaveri · 30th Jun 2021, 11:55 pm

Here's a picture. There are two weights and springs in total.

Leon Crampin · 1st Jul 2021, 3:35 pm

Greetings Timo,

I have found that it's possible to make flat springs like these by using feeler gauges (strips of hard steel used to measure small gaps, and sold as a folding set of blades of differing thicknesses). Having chosen the right thikness of blade, sharp shears will cut it to size, but you may have to make a punch to get the holes correctly sized.

Leon.

timohaveri · 2nd Jul 2021, 11:11 pm

Thanks for the tip. I found some spring material that was salvaged from inside a VHS cassette. I'll try if I could make something out of that.

Audio1950 · 3rd Jul 2021, 3:41 pm

Just a warning... If you don't get the replacement governor springs exactly the same as the originals, including the temper and thickness, you will be wasting your time, as the governors will run unevenly, resulting in varying turntable speed. For the little they cost, try one of the suppliers of spares, this is a very common motor and finding the correct springs, and the winding handle spring should be easy.

This is what you need, from a very reliable seller!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173958491...AAAOSwpEldI6zv

Barry

timohaveri · 3rd Jul 2021, 4:03 pm

OK. I'd better try buying spares then. I was able to make a new hook end into the winding handle spring but it would need to be twisted around itself to prevent it from coming loose again if the handle is turned in the wrong direction. It is not that easy.

30th Jun 2021, 11:48 pm	#1
timohaveri Pentode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Parkano, Finland Posts: 131	His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring I was asked to repair a His Master's Voice 87 gramophone. The main issue was dried up grease. In the process of cleaning I managed to brake one of the two governor springs Does anyone know where I could obtain a new one (or used)? The other problem is the spring that prevents the handle from turning in the wrond direction (I don't know the proper name for it, sorry). The end portion of the spring that goes under the retaining screw is broken. I was thinking of making a new end for the spring by straightening one turn of the coil portion. Would this work or do I need that part too? Best regards, Timo

30th Jun 2021, 11:55 pm	#2
timohaveri Pentode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Parkano, Finland Posts: 131	Re: His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring Here's a picture. There are two weights and springs in total. Attached Thumbnails

1st Jul 2021, 3:35 pm	#3
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,874	Re: His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring Greetings Timo, I have found that it's possible to make flat springs like these by using feeler gauges (strips of hard steel used to measure small gaps, and sold as a folding set of blades of differing thicknesses). Having chosen the right thikness of blade, sharp shears will cut it to size, but you may have to make a punch to get the holes correctly sized. Leon.

2nd Jul 2021, 11:11 pm	#4
timohaveri Pentode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Parkano, Finland Posts: 131	Re: His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring Thanks for the tip. I found some spring material that was salvaged from inside a VHS cassette. I'll try if I could make something out of that.

3rd Jul 2021, 3:41 pm	#5
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,763	Re: His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring Just a warning... If you don't get the replacement governor springs exactly the same as the originals, including the temper and thickness, you will be wasting your time, as the governors will run unevenly, resulting in varying turntable speed. For the little they cost, try one of the suppliers of spares, this is a very common motor and finding the correct springs, and the winding handle spring should be easy. This is what you need, from a very reliable seller! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173958491...AAAOSwpEldI6zv Barry Last edited by Audio1950; 3rd Jul 2021 at 3:52 pm.

3rd Jul 2021, 4:03 pm	#6
timohaveri Pentode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Parkano, Finland Posts: 131	Re: His Master's Voice model 87 governor spring OK. I'd better try buying spares then. I was able to make a new hook end into the winding handle spring but it would need to be twisted around itself to prevent it from coming loose again if the handle is turned in the wrong direction. It is not that easy.