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

[Doug Duncan]

Dicecco, Michael wrote:
> 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
>   
Mike,

Thanks very much for your mail which is impressively full of information 
that is valuable to the beginner in these machines. I expect to spend a 
lot of time exploring the articles and links in the websites you suggested.

I'll be looking into the motor unit very soon since, as I said the brake 
is not working very well and so the motor runs until the spring is fully 
unwound.
I will also dig out some of the older 78s I have in my collection. At 
the very least I know I have a few first world war 'patriotic' songs 
including 'It's A Long way to Tipperaray' that are well before the 
thirties and should be tough enough. It has to be said that some are not 
in top condition but we can see how they do. There are also some 12inch 
HMVs that are too big for the AMI B.

This will definitely be a chance to explore some of the items I've 
collected and never really played after I bought them.

Thanks again for your help.

regards,

Doug