Basic Record Changer Servicing

[nicolaj0154]

i had picked up a garrard record changer, and the idler wheel is the problem, any tips ore suggestions?.

[old64goat]

@nicolaj0154 Check the other comments, some have info like:

West-Tech services can resurface idler wheels for a reasonable fee

Also: RUSSELL INDUSTRIES IN OCEANSIDE NY THAT STILL REBUILDS PHONOGRAPH IDLER WHEELS THEIR NUMBER IS LISTED.

These are quotes from other guys who have commented on this video.

[JIMMYAD46]

I USED TO DO ELECTRONICS REPAIR AND I ALSO COLLECT AND RESTORE OLD TVS AND RECORD PLAYERS THERE IS A COMPANY CALLED RUSSELL INDUSTRIES IN OCEANSIDE NY THAT STILL REBUILDS PHONOGRAPH IDLER WHEELS THEIR NUMBER IS LISTED.

[daryljeffrey1]

This record changer was made by VM Corporation. Most of the VM Record Changers (Voice of Music) were sold to OEM customers. Parts can be obtained from the Collector Voice Newsletter. This site was founded by Gary Stork. Send in the old idler pulley and Gary Stork will send you a rebuilt unit. Technical manuals are also available.

[Turkeydoodlers]

I will try that thanks

[craig1974]

I just picked up an early 60's Magnavox tube console on the side of the road with a Micromatic record changer. The changer had a problem with the platter not spinning until i lubricated the idler wheel pivot with household oil. I used this video in the past as an aide to servicing my Admiral record changer.

[old64goat]

@craig1974 Thanks, also make sure you clean the rubber "tire" of the idler wheel and the inside of the turntable rim where the wheel rides.

[craig1974]

@old64goat the turntable rim was pretty clean, and yes i cleaned the tire. one thing ive learned when working on my Admiral record changer is to not use nail polish remover on painted platters which ruins the paint.  another youtuber who is a record enthusiast advised me to do that, and thank god i did not go any further. on bare metal platters its ok to use nail polish remover, but not painted ones.

[old64goat]

@craig1974 Hi Craig, True never use nail polish remover (acetone) on painted painted or plastic surfaces.

Use rubbing achocal if you don't have rubber cleaner.

Bill,

[Nivicoman]

I saw where brake fluid can soften a hardened wheel. The glaze can be sand papered off and very small dents will come out. I've also seen people re-rubber the wheel with rubber type sealants like Sika or even the Permatex Black Rubber Sealant.

[suspiriorum]

West-Tech services can resurface idler wheels for a reasonable fee.  They also have other useful services related to vintage phono equipment.

[old64goat]

That is good to know, Thanks for the info.

Bill

[spintheblackcircle4]

Thanks a whole bunch for this. This is so helpful because that is the exact same record change in my 1968 Packard Bell!!! I just wanted to know though, how do you remove the turntable platter?

[old64goat]

Hi Spin, This was a junk changet I had and I had a heck of a time removing the platter.

I found a clip of some sort underneth, I had to almost break it to get it off.

I was never good at fixing changers, I know the basics of cleaning and oiling but that is about it.

Bill

[spintheblackcircle4]

Thanks. That info will help. =)

[philcobeam]

Thank you ,for sharing such great information its hard to find help for record changer nowadays .You are my favorite youtube site.

[old64goat]

Hi Phil, Glad it was helpfull, thanks for watching.

Bill

[RCALennon]

Thanks a lot for this video. The basic maintenance was very useful. I have a portable Columbia phono from the 1960s with this exact changer in it and was having the "stalling out" problem you referred to and following this it goes through it's paces nice and smooth now. Thanks again. : )

[old64goat]

Hi RCA, Thanks I am glad it was helpful to you.

Sometimes the rubber idler wheels have to be replaced if the rubber hardens up, getting new wheels can be a problem though.

Bill

So if cleaning them don't work than the wheel has to be rebuilt ir replaced.

Thanks for watching.

[jcashfan365]

cool video! thanks for posting!

[old64goat]

@jcashfan365, Glad you liked it.

[lawnking168]

very nice as always!! take care!!

[old64goat]

Thanks LawnKing168.

[yinglyca1]

westtechservicesdotcom can fix them and get parts

[yinglyca1]

great video, lots of info

[old64goat]

Thanks yinglycal.

[JeffN727]

Thanks for the info. I have an old Philco changer with radio that I would like to work on when I get the chance.

[old64goat]

Thanks Jeff, I never was real good at fixing these if they involved the mechanism.

Oiling the motors and other parts, idler wheels cleaning or replacing, replacing cartridges and setting the tracking weight of the tone arm was my extent of servicing these.

Bill

[burtoncharlessmith]

Haha, kinda good information. You didn't go into new motor mounts, Rubber Renue, sending idlers off to be rebuilt, removing motor bearings to be oiled, cleaning off old grease, etc. And after all that, it's still a crap shoot. Still, good basic advice.

[old64goat]

Burton, You do not have to remove the motor bearings to oil them, use a "needle" oiler on them.

I did discuss how to clean the idler wheel, spraying solvent on mechanism than using white grease on it, no I did not talk about the motor mounts.

This is only a basic video on cleaning and oiling of the changer.

It has been 30 years since I touched a record changer, at that time you could buy the idler wheels at your local electronics store, which I worked in back in 1978.

Bill

[dinnycash]

very very interesting

[old64goat]

Thanks Dinny.