[Jukebox-list] OT: The shape of the playing tip of steel needles.

[Dicecco, Michael]

Hi Doug, 

I know something about gramophones as I've been collecting them all my
life (got 60+) I'm also VP of the Cdn Antique Phonograph Society. They
have an interesting website at http://www.capsnews.org/

As to your question re steel needles. Yes, if there is a chiselled tip
on them, then they are used. Unplayed steel needle tips will not reflect
light when you slowly rotate them between your thumb and forefinger. You
usually do not need a microscope to see this, if your eyesight is not
too bad. 

Theoretically steel needles are supposed to be used only once. However,
some people will rotate them a half turn (to the unused side)to get
another play out of them. The chiselled side can do permanent damage to
the record, due to the sharp edge.

If you're tired of changing steel needles all the time, try using a
"permo-point" type needle, that was designed for jukeboxes. Victory
Glass sells them, and I've had great results. I would strongly NOT
recommend using saphire tipped 78 needles. These are so destructive to
the records, and will quickly wear them out. 

I would also recommend against playing any 1950's 78's on it. Most were
made of softer material, and cannot take the heavy weight of the
accoustic "sound box".

Re your machine: be sure to open up the motor compartment, grease all
gears, and oil all moving parts (especially the govenor, the part with
the three spinning weights). If you plan to keep the machine for a long
time, you should have the spring barrel disassembled, cleaned and
greased. They used to use animal fat grease, and it hardens up over
time, creating a thumping sound as the spring unevenly unwinds. The
spring has to be taken out of the barrel, cleaned, re-greased, and
re-assembled. There are many companies that do this service (check the
above website).
The reproducer on your gramophone should also be rebuilt: the gaskets
get hard and crack with age, causing a lot of buzzing and distortion.
It's a cheap fix,($20) and if you're handy you can do it yourself. Parts
are available from Antique Phonograph Supply Co www.antiquephono.com or
Wyatt's Musical Americana, 707-263-5013. Also check out the Michigan
Antique Phonograph Society, and the California Antique Phonograph
Society for more related information 

Hope this helps you out, enjoy your new purchase. 

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: jukebox-list-bounces at lists.netlojix.com
[mailto:jukebox-list-bounces at lists.netlojix.com] On Behalf Of Doug
Duncan
Sent: 2007, November, 27 3:35 PM
To: Jukebox mailing list
Subject: [Jukebox-list] OT: The shape of the playing tip of steel
needles.

Dear People,

This weekend I acquired a new toy, a wind up gramophone (phonograph)
called a Dulceola. This is of the hidden horn type in a floorstanding
cabinet. Volume control is by opening and closing the doors in the
front. It winds up ok and runs and the speed is variable although I have
not yet checked it for any accuracy. The only thing not evidently
working is the brake but that can be looked at another day.

I took notice of the discussion earlier about using steel needles one
time only for one side and whilst I've ordered some nice new needles  I
would like to have a trial run .  However I carelessly placed the  unit
on its back and spilled the  needles that were in the little circular
receptacles  all over the place  and in the car.

So the question is whether it is possible to identify needles that have
been used from unused. I have a  magnifying glass but no microscope. 
Some of those I have looked at so far  appear to have a  tiny chisel
face on the end that reflects light. However I wonder if this is the
normal end shape since I would have expected wear to be on the sides.

Any help will be appreciated.

regards,

Doug
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