Edison Home doesn't run ... help needed!

[maxphenol]

Hi,

I bought an Edison Home on eBay and although the seller described it as "working okay" the belt broke the first time I wanted to run it and after I installed a new leather belt it doesn't run either. I tried the new belt at various tensions, I oiled a few parts, but the machine doesn't run. If I take off the belt it runs fine. I tried to stop the wheel (when it runs without belt) by putting onea finger on it, an I need quite some pressure to stop the machine running. So, I assume the spring obvioulsy is strong enough. Can anyone here help me please to find out what the problem is? Or does anybody know someone near Baltimore MD who can repair Edison phonographs?

Thanks!
Helmut

[keith1954]

Hi Helmut,
It's so very frustrating to have an Edison that just won't cooperate and play! I had a very similar issue with my Edison Standard Model D. Part of the issue was the mandrel bearing, it was damaged and needed to be replaced. I'm new to this myself, so I'm no expert and am not familiar with the Home, but start by taking a look at the mandrel bearing. If the shaft is loose, it most likely needs replacing.

Some of the folks on this board gave me some excellent advice, you might want to take a minute and read what they wrote: edisonphonos.proboards.com/thread/1396/spring-power-machine-play

And....closest phono repair that I of is Walt Sommers in Gettysburg, PA. As a former Baltimore resident, Gettysburg is only a 2 hour drive, if memory serves. Walt did a great job of restoring an orthophonic sound box for me a few years ago. Here's his website: www.victrolaguy.com/

Good luck! And hope this helps.
Keith

[refseries]

Dear Helmut

This is a common problem with Home/Standard model D and up, but you can fix it yourself with a bit of care. As Keith (there seem to be two of us!) says the bearings seize over time and need to be freed or changed. First get the thing turning. This can often be acheived by soaking the bearing in penetrating oil/WD40/diesel and working it backwards and forwards by turning the mandrel. You will get very oily. After a while you will be able to turn the mandrel enough to get full rotation stiffly - I have a Standard F which eventually freed up enough for it not to need a new bearing.

If you are unlucky you will need to take the mandrel shaft out - you will need to undo the feed screw, top pulley, etc. Be careful not to lose the tiny screws which hold the feed screw clip on. Pull out the mandrel and shaft. The old bearing needs to come out. It will be a tight fit, but probably will crumble with a bit of tapping with a probe/old screwdrive and a small hammer. Do not hit it too hard as you don't want to crack the cast iron casing. In extreme cases you can saw through the bearing and prize it out. All this sounds worse than it is!

Fitting the new bearing is easy. You can get them from APSCO on www.antiquephono.com/. They come predrilled for the oilway, and simply slide in. I soak them in oil for a couple of days before fitting but this probably isn't necessary. Then refit the mandrel assembly and the job is done.

Good luck!

Keith