Phonoland

My brother said he wanted a record player for Christmas, "the older the better". So I stopped at a couple 'treasure' stores, goodwill pawn shops. I found a Maganavox 256M. for $35, and he threw in a newer sears portable for nothing. It has an AM radio and a turntable.

The Magnificent Maganvox
Model 256M
Style C192-23
Serial T-729390

I like the Magnavox so much I don't want to give it to him. It looks just like this one (but my knobs don't match) http://www.itaggit.com/Collection/Community-Valuation/9066/Thing/144197-1-6194/Magnavox-Antique-Radio-Phonograph-256M (the only website I found any info on) It just needed a little oil, and sounded really good in the store. I don't have any vinyl at home to try, but it seems to work alright. I need to look at the turntable a bit more. The arm doesn't move all the way back by itself.

The sears is an all plastic unit, Model 171.29240501 It has a BSR turntable, looks like a plastic suitcase with two detachable speakers on either side. (I cant find any info about it either)

Any info about either model?

I've ordered a needle for the sears, and bought a couple Nat King Cole Christmas albums.

Everything seems to work on the maganvox, except the drop down on the spindle. Well thats not quite right either. the drop works fine, but the motor seems to 'stall' when it comes time to retract the arm, and drop the record, and restart the arm. If I give the platter a little help with my finger, everything seems to work as expected.

Is there something I can do to help the platter to keep turning?

Clean and Lube the platter bearings. Clean the rubber idlers big, and small, with alcohol or rubber rejuvinator if you have it.

Get absolutely no oil on the rubber parts.

The idler wheel is probably hardened from age and does not drive the turntable properly.