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Post by kentedison on Mar 5, 2009 20:30:39 GMT -5
Hello, so glad to have found yall. Have learned so much just perusing the site....
Can someone tell me if the stylus (or its mount) should move freely or does it need to be 'set' in some particular position ie: on mine the mount moves, but takes some pressure. Does it need to be set in a particular orientation in relation to the record or should it be lubricated so it moves with the weight of the arm.
Also should the height adjuster (?) (the 'handle' at the front of the cabinet used to move the arm and lower the needle) be straight up and down at the point that the record plays? Or is it designed to drop the arm to the point at which the record plays and leave it there regardless of its orientation. Mine seems to play best when its at about a 45 degree angle. Is that OK?
Thanks
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Post by maroongem on Mar 5, 2009 21:26:37 GMT -5
Hi there and welcome aboard Matt's Edison Board!
Your stylus should move freely up and down between the two "ears" that it is set in. The weight should also move freely from side to side in the constraints of the limit pin inside the limit loop. The handle should be straight up when playing and the limit pin should be centered horizontally inside the limit loop when the Reproducer is lowered onto a Record. If the pin on the weight hits the bottom of the sound cup when fully lowered, you will damage the Record as there is no lateral movement. If this is the case, you will have to adjust the height of the Reproducer.
Bill
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Post by kentedison on Mar 5, 2009 23:41:03 GMT -5
Thanks a million Bill. Any suggestions on what to use to free up the stylus. Just some 3-in-1 oil or something like that?
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Post by coyote on Mar 6, 2009 0:36:14 GMT -5
Usually it takes a bit more than just lubrication to make it move as freely as it should. The pivot pin for the stylus is probably a bit rusty/gunked up, and should really be removed and cleaned. This is a somewhat delicate operation and tough to do without a pin press, but I've been using an old pair of needle-nose tweezers to push the pin out to the point where I can grab it with pliers and then slowly twist and pull it out. A piece of #72 hardened steel drill rod is recommended. New styli come with new pivot pins should you damage/break yours. Personally I don't like these supplied pins as they're not as hard as the originals and bend easily, but sometimes they allow freer movement than the original pin. New diamond styli aren't cheap, but you might do well to replace the stylus and bar if you're removing the pin anyway, and check the gaskets in the reproducer. I'm sure the topic of reproducer rebuilds has been covered elsewhere. I never had much luck with the "dead wax" test, as I find new styli can also leave faint marks on a blank area of a Diamond Disc. VERY rarely have I ever encountered an original diamond on a DD reproducer that was still good. As for adjusting the reproducer height, it's basically accomplished by loosening a set screw and turning the bottom pivot at the other end of the "lift handle" rod. The Edison Disc Motor Manual is graciously reproduced by David and explains how to do this: forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=476
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Post by larryh on Mar 6, 2009 16:01:08 GMT -5
I have only removed a couple stylus bars but I found that putting the weight snugly in a small vise I attached to the kitchen table, I used a cloth to protect the finish. Then I took a rather medium size sewing needle which was cut off a half inch or so beyond the point, and drove the pin out from the side that had the least pin sticking out. A bit of oil on the pin might help it to get moving. I used a tack type hammer and tapped gently till it moved enough to get a good grip on the opposite side.
I own three new needles. I can't recommend them very much. Two of the three, (and the very first one before them), left marks on the record. One is doing it enough to change the look of the grooves where it plays. Only one still leaves no mark.. I am afraid that any mark may be signs of wear. So far the company has not replaced the last two defective ones.
So I purchased a couple used Edison heads on ebay, and so far two of them have needles which when tested in the run off areas leave no marks. The sound is also good so I feel pretty certain they are not bad. Its a crap shoot as to wether you can buy used ones to see if the needles are still good or if you will spend more than getting a new one. But the old ones will last if not damaged by poor handling.
Larry
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Post by kentedison on Mar 7, 2009 11:18:40 GMT -5
Thanks again everyone. More very valuable info. Headed to my Grand Parents today (where the BC is) and will take a look at it again.
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