Removing turntable

[Dan]

I’m trying to remove the turntable platter on a Silvertone portable, the spindles has a slot (like a screw ) on it and can be screw out , but I can’t seem to get the platter off . Is there a trick to it or maybe just some lubrication. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dan

[phonogfp]

This is a common problem, and different machines will have different solutions.

 

1)  Be sure your Silvertone does not have a set screw under the turntable.  (The presence of the securing washer on the spindle suggests that there;s no set screw, but stranger things have been seen.)

 

2)  Remove the securing washer on the spindle.  Be sure there is no retaining washer on the spindle, and apply a small drop of penetrating oil.  Not 3-In-One, which gums up and hardens over time, but a good quality penetrating oil or sewing machine oil.  Allow the oil to sit overnight.

 

3)  Next day, place your fingers at the 6:00 and 9:00 positions of the turntable and lift straight up, using the knuckles of both hads to apply light upward pressure on the turntable.

 

4) If the turntable is still stuck, get a friend to help.  Repeat step #3, while your friend LIGHTLY taps the spindle with a rubber/leather mallet.  If a mallet is not available, put a piece of wood over the spindle and lightly tap with a hammer.  You can even lift the entire machine a few inches over a bed, couch, or other soft surface - allowing the weight of the machine to persuade the spindle to release the turntable.

 

5) Once the turntable is off, lightly polish its mating surface and the turntable's center hole mating surface with 0000 steel wool, then apply a light lubricant so this doesn't happen again.

 

Good luck!

 

George P. 

 

 

[Dan]

On 2/10/2023 at 6:38 PM, phonogfp said:

This is a common problem, and different machines will have different solutions.

 

1)  Be sure your Silvertone does not have a set screw under the turntable.  (The presence of the securing washer on the spindle suggests that there;s no set screw, but stranger things have been seen.)

 

2)  Remove the securing washer on the spindle.  Be sure there is no retaining washer on the spindle, and apply a small drop of penetrating oil.  Not 3-In-One, which gums up and hardens over time, but a good quality penetrating oil or sewing machine oil.  Allow the oil to sit overnight.

 

3)  Next day, place your fingers at the 6:00 and 9:00 positions of the turntable and lift straight up, using the knuckles of both hads to apply light upward pressure on the turntable.

 

4) If the turntable is still stuck, get a friend to help.  Repeat step #3, while your friend LIGHTLY taps the spindle with a rubber/leather mallet.  If a mallet is not available, put a piece of wood over the spindle and lightly tap with a hammer.  You can even lift the entire machine a few inches over a bed, couch, or other soft surface - allowing the weight of the machine to persuade the spindle to release the turntable.

 

5) Once the turntable is off, lightly polish its mating surface and the turntable's center hole mating surface with 0000 steel wool, then apply a light lubricant so this doesn't happen again.

 

Good luck!

 

George P. 

 

 

Thanks George I got it off using your advise and adapting it a little I was by myself , but it worked. 
Dan

[phonogfp]

Excellent!  Glad it worked - we've all experienced the problem!

 

George P.

[Dan]

Good afternoon another question on this silvertone portable when I received it the tone arm came as seen on photos. When I try to play a record it slows down the turntable if I take a little pressure off the arm it plays . It looks like I might be missing a bushing or washer/ spacer on tone arm where it connects to player.

[phonogfp]

I can't tell if that's a 1-piece bracket.  If not, I suspect there should be a bolt that passes through the bracket and tone arm so that the latter can freely pivot vertically.  If, however, it's a 1-piece bracket, it looks like there's indeed something missing.

 

George P.

[Dan]

53 minutes ago, phonogfp said:

I can't tell if that's a 1-piece bracket.  If not, I suspect there should be a bolt that passes through the bracket and tone arm so that the latter can freely pivot vertically.  If, however, it's a 1-piece bracket, it looks like there's indeed something missing.

 

George P.

It didn’t have a bolt but I had one that fit I connected them but it’s very loose the arm moves smooth horizontally  but it also has a lot of vertical play . If I take pressure off the arm it will play.  ???? Maybe these pictures are better. Thanks again 

Dan

[phonogfp]

1)  Does the bracket have a sleeve that rotates when the tone arm moves horizontally?

 

2) Are you using a fresh needle?

 

3) Have you tried different types of records?

 

4) Are you winding the motor all the way?

[Dan]

Yes the bracket has a sleeve the moves , it moves freely, I tried a different needle . I’ll try a different record. I wound it up until I I felt it tight. The platter spins easily, I can adjust the speed with regulator. Let me see what newer record and new needle will do Thanks. 
I’ll let you know

[Dan]

On 2/28/2023 at 4:53 PM, Dan said:

Yes the bracket has a sleeve the moves , it moves freely, I tried a different needle . I’ll try a different record. I wound it up until I I felt it tight. The platter spins easily, I can adjust the speed with regulator. Let me see what newer record and new needle will do Thanks. 
I’ll let you know

Well George  I started from the beginning new needle, different record , cranked it complete and with a little adjustment with speed regulator and slight adjustment to angle of reproducer it is now playing . I also added some lubrication. Thanks again for sharing your wealth of knowledge . Im new to this hobby and appreciate all the help.

Dan

[phonogfp]

You're quite welcome, Dan.  With these machines, it's often a combination of elements that result in bad operation.  Sometimes when we think we've found the culprit and fixed it, performance improves only slightly.  Further painstaking examination/disassembly reveals something else...  But at a point, one little thing is fixed and VOILA!  Everything works!

 

If your "some lubrication" included the motor, consider "complete lubrication."  You may not need to disassemble and re-grease the mainspring, but all bearings and gear teeth need to be clean and properly lubricated.  The governor (especially the pad) is a critical component that requires good-quality sewing machine oil.  If you haven't already found it, here is one of the free articles on the APS website which may be helpful to you:

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/16