Hi all. I'm new to this forum, so I ask for your patience please. A number of years ago I purchased a 'restored' 1956 RCA Orthophonic Record Player (Mahogany). I'm 72 yrs. old and enjoy things from my childhood years. It worked beautifully the few times I've played it. But, having been a couple of years since turned on I found last evening that the turntable itself barely moves. I know I didn't wear anything out with it's very infrequent use... but I'm thinking the infrequent use itself has probably caused the problem. Is it likely to simply need lubricating? I say 'simply' because it seems the most likely thing.

The problem: I don't know anything at all about what to do about the lubrication. Can anyone out there advise me on the steps that need to be taken? Or, can anyone guide me to a maintenance manual that will show me what to do? It would be much appreciated. Kind Regards from Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Orthophonic" was an RCA product series and several different models used this name.

If you can supply the model number (such as "6-HF-5") of the unit it should be fairly easy to find service info for it.

Changers of this age (60+ years) nearly all suffer from lube and rubber decomposition such as hardened grease and petrified rubber on the idler wheel rim. In order to work properly the changer will need to have its old lube flushed out and renewed, and the idler wheel "retreaded". There are businesses that can just sell you the needed parts, or they can do a full rebuild for you.

Is the model number 7-HF-5?

If it is... here is the service information for RCA changer model RP-205
http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vie ... 4#p1885374

There is a brief section on lubrication.

It would be best to remove and replace all the hardened grease. All the rubber parts may also need replacing due to age related deterioration and correct lubrication applied in the correct place.


For tuners and the likes: When disconnecting interconnecting cables, label them with masking tape flags or directly with a sharpie.
Example: tuner chassis terminal-A to amp chassis terminal-A
B to B etc.
otherwise you'll get lost when it comes to reassembly...

Take your time and work methodically...
For anyone disassembling a record changer for the first time, taking photos along the way can often get you out of a jam later on,
and, Watch out for the Dammit clips!

Gary Stork at thevoiceofmusic.com is a good guy to deal with (parts and advice).
http://thevoiceofmusic.com/sales_service_lit.html

Here are a few (Chris Cuff) video links that will give you an insight into the world of record changers.
viewtopic.php?p=2732362#p2732362 ←follow links.

Welcome aboard SLC...
Greg.


oh... post photos and ask questions...
You can post photos as attachments straight out of the chute. No need to wait 24Hrs.

Posting photos to a forum thread...
The skinny: viewtopic.php?p=2717120#p2717120

If it is the earlier model 6-HF-5 as mentioned by lorenz200w above, service information for RP-198 can be found here, thanks again to Bill J.
viewtopic.php?p=2151290#p2151290

Greg.

Changer model number will be rubber-stamped or on a paper tag underneath.

Thanks to each of you for your input. I'll check the model # and see if I can take it from here. If not... I'll be back

Welcome to ARF Phono forum.

I would like to add that the "restored" amplifier will need a
going over to verify that the following have been done.

Electrolytic and wax/paper capacitors should all be
replaced.

Resistors checked to be in specification and for
any damage.

If you have a vintage radio club in your area, I am sure
they would check this out for you, if you don't have the
expertise.

Hotwax