Gramophone test WITHOUT a winding handle

A short video on how to test a gramophone if you don't have the right winding handle or winding crank for it
#phonograph
#gramophone
#victrola
#78rpm
#78rpmshellac
#vintageaudio

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

Maybe you can answer this question for me……….. is it possible to buy brand new springs ? I want to buy a brand new spring (also preferably in its casing all ready to slot into place on my gramophone) I need a double spring for my HMV 130. Can you advise or point me in the right direction either way a possible link ?

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

What's that you have in your pocket, sonny? 👮‍♂🚔🚔🚓🚓 Just a winding handle, Officer 😮😮

[@mrrgstuff]

Indeed 😅. Thanks 😀 👍

[@tarstarkusz]

To play a 78 RPM record of 3:00 length would take like 250 plus turns of the record backwards. Frankly, I'm surprised you can turn it backwards at all. Worm drives generally can only be driven in one direction.

[@mrrgstuff]

@tarstarkusz Yes, indeed, and from a completely wound down spring, you would probably need to put another 100 or so turns on that to ensure the speed was maintained throughout the duration of the record. As to your point about the worm drive, I have to investigate. However, as I said, I'm sure there will be exceptions to this 'rule'. Thanks

[@Kevin-yi8fd]

Thankyou i didn't know that what good advice i was given a nice HMV table top Gramophone last year and i was lucky though it didn't have a winding handle i had a spare which fitted it and to my surprise the spring was in good working order. Thankyou again i look forward to more of your video's. 😊😊😊

[@mrrgstuff]

@Kevin-yi8fd Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍. Yes, most of the time a spare handle is relatively easy to find as many HMV/Victor machines take the same ones, and they can also be swapped around on Garrard ones. The older slotted type vary alot though, and that is what the broken machine in this video takes. I have found a handle that fits it, but as expected, it doesn't wind. The HMV 99 portable just annoyingly takes a special handle so not so easy to find a replacement. Glad to hear you were able get your machine going. 😀

[@tiga4180]

In my experience, this test is only valid if the spring is broken near its centre. I recall owning an HMV portable in which the spring was broken at the outer edge. It was possible to wind it to about 25% capacity before the charactersistic 'ratatat' of the spring rapidly unwinding within the barrel. Needless to say, it would need many reverse turns of the turntable to reveal this style of fault. Would say your test is worth doing, but not 100% definitive. Yes, springs are dangerous, but was lucky that my father told me how to remove one safely & my metalwork teacher helped me 'de temper' the end of the spring to create a fresh hole for the rivet. A KZbinr friend in the Harrogate area (Samantha James) has a gramophone with a broken spring. Can you recommend anyone who'd fix it for her please?

[@mrrgstuff]

Very good point. Yes, it is by no means a definite test, but a handy little test that can be useful. Unfortunately, I don't currently know of anyone offering a spring replacement service. Due to the hazards of spring removal, I can't personally recommend anyone trying it. I do hope to try cleaning and regreasing a spring whilst it is still in the barrel, which is something I have seen recommended in an old book. This should be a safer option, but of course, it is only viable if the spring is intact. Thanks

[@0michelleki020]

I was lucky when i bought my cabinet gramophone, only one of the springs had jumped off its screw to the driveshaft., I have looked at new springs for these machines and they can be quite expensive, though i have seen how people change broken or worn springs by releasing the spring from the motor casing into a construction bucket. Thanks for the lovely video.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, there seem to be various techniques for doing this. A broken spring is certainly one of the most frustrating parts of this hobby. Whilst it is technically possible to change them, I feel I should err on the side of caution and recommend people getting an experienced repair person to do this sort of work. As I am sure you are aware, they are very powerful and, if not handled properly, can easily cause significant damage and injury. Thanks

[@Moh96_moh]

Where is your place? And how can I contact you?

[@mrrgstuff]

@@Moh96_moh You can email me at (my channel name at Gmail dot com)

[@Huntco-9000]

Cool

[@mrrgstuff]

@@Huntco-9000 Thanks 😀👍