[78-L] Victrola vv-80

[Michael Biel]

I hesitate to help you because your rusted needles will definately ruin 
your records MUCH faster than new needles which you know have never been 
used and you will use only once.  The rust will grind into the record 
because they are hard particles that also create a rough surface on the 
point as well as masking whether the needle has been previously used or not.

Also, your statement about how loud it is leads me to believe that the 
reproducer needs overhauling and new rubber gaskets.  The loudness is 
probably blasting, and a bad reproducer will kill records.

That being said, you have probably reassembled the governor 
incorrectly.  Spring motors are set to run too fast, and the governor 
brings it down to the proper speed.  The governor is the little device 
with two or three little ball weights on springs which spin.  The speed 
adjust felt pad rests on the smooth disc on the end of the governor and 
adjusts how far from the shaft the balls can spin.  This changes the 
speed of the rotation of the governor, and changes the speed of the 
turntable. 

I have repair manuals and some have been reprinted.  I'm looking now to 
find some on the web that you can see right now. 

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com 

Jim Whipkey wrote:
>   The  blizzard  we  just had  here in WV gave me  a nice push yesterday and I finally got enough work done on restoring  an old victrola  to  learn  it  operates pretty good.  Rescued  a  huge floor model  Victor   hand crank  floor model   victrola, model V V 80.  After  months of  taking apart,  saving every screw, etc.  got the  motor/turntable back in place yesterday and  while the table runs a little fast,  it works  just great! The speed adjustment doesn't seem to affect the speed,  it  runs  a bit fast, but   overall, pleases me.  When I got the item at an auction it appeared to have been in a flood,  thick dirt caked  all over,  removed the  peeling and  cracked veneer, but otherwise, everything  original will remain, including a lot of rusted needles which still play.  One of my many pleasant surprises is the  quality and  high decibel  output, the music is really loud.  Think this  item was made  CA 1920,  anyone know  any  specifics on  the Victrola V V 80?
>   Jim Whipkey