Marconi R70 1957 record player

[Newgirl2013]

Good morning
I'm having problems with a Marconiphone R70 Record player
The drive isn't working
On removing the turntable the rubber intermediate wheel seems to be worn
On pushing it to the motor spindle I can make it turn but it doesn't seem to be connecting with the turntable
Also someone has tried to replace the cord between the speed control and the intermediate wheel
I'm not sure if it is the correct length
Does anyone have such a thing as a spare intermediate Rubber wheel
Also can someone let me know what the length of the cord should be
Photos enclosed
Thanks very much
Sharon

[Edward Huggins]

You are unlikely to need another idler wheel. The surface of yours could be lathe skimmed or carefully roughened with a rotary sander to create more abrasive contact with the platter inner rim. That wire arrangement looks like some kind of bodge and ideally you need someone who may have one of these players to compare it with. The idler wheel tension is usually provided by a spring.

[Newgirl2013]

Hi Edward
Thanks very much for the info
Sharon

[Techman]

It's an unusual record deck - another one of those 'own brand' EMI types.

A quick google search tells me that the speed control is cable operated by a steel cable.

You would think that there should be some sort of spring arrangement to hold the idler in the 'drive' position. An examination of the mechanicals should soon indicate how it was originally intended to work. I've never come across one of these decks myself.

[Newgirl2013]

Thanks, I thought it would be an EMI 'Special'
I had thought about putting in a cheep BSR Deck in
Sharon

[Newgirl2013]

I have just had another look at the R70, it's only just working on 78 but none of the other speeds work, I replaced the old mono pickup cartridge with a BSR X5H
The sound from the speaker is fantastic
I've found someone who can restore both the R70 and my old HMV 78 Autochanger

[Edward Huggins]

You were very lucky to be able to find a BSR X5H cartridge, a very much sought after item. This record player uses an 8" x 2.5" so-called "slot" loudspeaker, primarilly used in a vertical orientation at the side of the tube in 1960s TV sets.

[ajgriff]

Originally Posted by Techman

It's an unusual record deck - another one of those 'own brand' EMI types.

You would think that there should be some sort of spring arrangement to hold the idler in the 'drive' position. An examination of the mechanicals should soon indicate how it was originally intended to work. I've never come across one of these decks myself.

I have an even more basic EMI four speed turntable hiding away somewhere and I'm sure it has just such a spring although I can't visualise the exact arrangement.

Alan

[ajgriff]

Have just borrowed the attached image from an old thread for illustration purposes. I think it's the spring described as the 'jockey wheel spring' that's missing. The jockey wheel would more often be called the idler wheel these days.

Alan

[Newgirl2013]

BSR X5H Cartridges often come up on Ebay,
I just happened to have a spare X5H in my spares cupboard, Edward
Thanks very much for the illustration, have you a pic of your EMI, Alan

[ajgriff]

Originally Posted by Newgirl2013

Thanks very much for the illustration, have you a pic of your EMI, Alan

Not easy to get at I'm afraid as it's hiding somewhere in the deep recesses of the loft, sorry.

Alan

[Newgirl2013]

Hi Alan
Ok thanks anyway
Sharon

[Newgirl2013]

I have had the Marconiophone restored, by Norwich Restore, he has done a brilliant job, it's like new
I'm going to send him my old 1940s HMV EMI Autochanger to see if he can sort it out