How to Repair Phonographs
The phonograph was first invented by Thomas Edison, whose work on other inventions, the telephone and the telegraph, helped to spur the marvel of recorded sound. Antique phonographs date from the late 1800s through the early 1900s and have become collector's items for music enthusiasts and antique collectors alike. The original phonograph played grooved, wax cylinders which were used to record sounds. The phonograph continued to be improved upon by various companies and inventors over the early 20th century, helping to pioneer the music recording industry.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Solvent-degreaser
- Oil
- Lint-free cloth
- Vise grips
- Needle-nose pliers
- Pipe cleaners
- Soldering iron
- Paraffin wax
- Johnson's Paste Wax
- Wood stain wax
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean and service the motor. Grime and oil as well as dust often accumulates on the gears of the motor after many years of service. Pull off the turntable using a screwdriver to unscrew the mounts. Remove the crank and unscrew the corner screws from the motor board. Lift the motor out of the phonograph. Use a lint-free cloth and a solvent-degreaser to help clean each of the gears and parts of the motor. Be sure that as you disassemble the motor, you keep track of where each part belongs. Use sticky notes and label each part if necessary. You will need to use a pair of vice grips, needle-nose pliers and a wrench to disassemble the motor. Replace the mainspring found in the motor housing. An old mainspring will make a rumbling sound when the phonograph is wound up and played. Use a cloth and pipe cleaner to clean each of the gear's teeth. Oil the motor once it is reassembled.
-
2
Dismantle the reproducer from the tone arm and replace the gaskets, which will help to restore the original sound and tone of the antique phonograph. Look for new gaskets in a hardware store or order them from a phonograph parts distributor. Order a new diaphragm from a phonograph parts specialist and replace it while replacing the gaskets on the reproducer. Wax the needle bar on the diaphragm by placing some paraffin wax on the bar and heating it with a soldering iron.
-
-
3
Restore the cosmetic appearance of the phonograph machine. Replace the felt. One trick used by a member of the Michigan Antique Phonograph Society relates trimming down old turntable felts to fit the 10-inch phonograph felts. Mixing Johnson's wax with wood stain wax can fill in some of the smaller scratches on the phonograph cabinets.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cleaning gold parts with solvent and brushes may strip part of the gold plating. Gentle is key here, or choose not to clean the gold parts at all.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pavillon de phonographe image by Christophe Fouquin from Fotolia.com
