Burnham Record Player Arm

[Shaddy27]

Just got an antique Burnham Record player - everything seems OK except the arm - it has an adjustment on it that I cannot figure out how to use 

 

On the arm there is a weight that you are suppose to be able to change, depending on the company who made the record- I cannot get it to rotate

 

See attachments  - any idea?       I tried using it, but the record I presently have went around OK, but when I tried the arm, it was too heavy and stopped the table from going around (I think the weight was in the wrong place for the record I have) 

 

Recommendations?

[BenL]

Burnham used the supplier company Fletcher on a lot of their machines for tonearms.

If the counterweight isn't moving, I'd suggest soaking it in penetrating oil for a while then trying to get a little grease inside where it moves. (I haven't worked on a Fletcher tonearm, so I don't know if you can remove the weight.) The motor may also need to be serviced if the plater slows down when trying to play a record. 

Here's a little on the tonearm from another phonograph brand McLagan that also used them. 

(Here's a little more on the tonearm weight from the McLagan manual.)

Edited May 23, 2022 by BenL