Tool for removing DD reproducer retainer ring

[wvphonoguy]

I need a tool for removing the retainer ring on a DD reproducer. I know that I have seen them for sale on somebody's website, but now I can't remember where.

Does anyone know where I can get one?

Thanks,

Jerry W

[larryh]

I would guess someone does sell them. But a friend in collecting sent me one he made from a piece of metal cut to fit between the two sides. they call that a spanner I think. He made a small handle effect on one side for leverage. I think it has a slight rise in the center to clear the linkage as well.

For years I used a screwdriver that would fit in the slot and got them to turn that way. However if they are really tight you might have to put it in a vice covering the reproducer with some padding, then tap lightly on the screw driver to get it turning. Once they start to go usually the will turn out by hand. You can then clean the treads a put a light coat of W D40 or light oil enough to let it turn easily. You have to use great care not to let the screwdriver slip out of the slot and damage the diaphragm.

On the diaphragms I produce I generally only tighten them enough to be snug without forcing it with the spanning tool. They then should come back out with just a fingernail or your fingers nudging it loose.

Larry

[wagnerian]

The Antique Phonograph Supply Company on www.antiquephono.com supply three different sizes of ring removal tools including one for a Diamond Disc. The cost is about $1.50 each

Best wishes

Tim W-W

[maroongem]

I made my own years ago. I'll post some photos. It's fairly simple to make and also works on Columbia sound boxes.


BillF

[wvphonoguy]

Tim W-W,
Thanks. I found it on APSCO's website. That's where I had seen it before, but could not remember.

Bill F,
I would be interested in seeing a picture of the one you made.

Funny story....I had never removed a DD ring before and had no idea how tight it would be. I spent a couple of hours yesterday making one out of a 18" X 1" X 1/8" steel bar.....what an overkill! It definitely worked fine, but I could have probably gotten it off using my fingernails.

Jerry W

[larryh]

Once they have been freed up then that is how I usually remove mine, simply by hand. When you first get one that hasn't been opened in some time then you may need some help such as your spanner. For my self I also use the spanned on the diaphragms I produce in order to tighten down an form the material evenly around. After that then I simply use my hand.. I have one reproducer that has some issues with the threads and on that one the spanner is still of help.

Larry

[maroongem]

Jerry,

Here are some photos of the compression ring tool I made at least 20 years ago and it has served me well! The side with the wing nut is adjustable for width and the pins have flats on both sides to fit in the slots on the DD rings as well as the later cylinder Reproducer rings that had the slots. It also works well on Columbia disc Sound boxes.

BillF

[wvphonoguy]

Thanks. That looks like it would be fairly easy to make. I'm learning something all the time from you guys.

Jerry W.