Rock-Ola 442? Worth It?

Hi Man

Welcome to phonoland, lots of good people here with great advice.

I agree with Ron, spend the money and get a good manual and read it.

Before moving your unit I would add that you should tighten down the four bolts that are located in the four corners of the frame that contains the mech and the record magazine. You can see one of the bolts in the bottom picture towards the upper right hand corner. This will keep the mech and other parts from bouncing all over the place and possibly causing damage.

If you haven't already done so, review the first post on the home page titled "Moving" a Jukebox".

Enjoy your new jukebox!

Best
Darrell

Thanks for the welcome, Darrell!

I have already purchased the complete package of literature on the 442 from one of the vendors listed here, I'm just anxiously awaiting delivery. I see the bolts you are talking about, thank you for the tip!

With that said, I'm not exactly solid on the terminology of the parts of the unit yet, specifically the left hand hammers on the wobble plate, but I gather you are implying that these may be the reason the carousel is not turning like it should be when a selection is made?

I promise as soon as I get the service manual I'll get myself up to speed very quickly haha..

DoghouseRiley wrote:
Yes, the "wobble plate" is that big disc with all the pins in it.

Here's a non-technical "layman's" description of the action in a video of my other jukebox which has pretty much the same mechanism, but has a carousel which holds 80 records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=morLkJDxWyg

Ah I see what it's supposed to do.. On mine the left side arm spun around on the wobble plate a few times but never stopped until it just timed out, the arm on the right side that looks like it moves with the carousel never moved at all. The turntable never started to spin either. Just heard the relay click again that clicked when I first made a selection and the left hand arm stopped and that was it.

Hi Carlin: It sounds as if the write in arm is not fireing. if you look down the arm you will notice there are contacts "wiping" the plate neer the center on both sides. these are the wipers and they get dirty, this is a common problem with the rockolas i have worked on. they need to be cleaned and burnished, look at thediagrams in the manual when you get it to see the lay of the land.
As a test you can trip a pin, on the right side of the pinbank, you can just pull up on any one on the outside ring. That is the A side. If you only have a write in problem then the carosel should start rotating, one or two times, the read out arm should stop at that pin and load a record. hopfully you got one that is just cleaning an lubrication! Mark

Thanks Mark! I know exactly what you're saying. I definitely will try that.. I was planning on pretty much refurbishing it completely anyway but rather have diagnosed all the problem areas before I do.. Cleaning all the contacts, lubricant, etc.. I even thought about having some parts polished to make it really snappy looking, but of course nothing that is going to affect tolerances or operation. Has anyone done this? Also what is a good set of cleaning and burnishing tools? I have some good contact cleaner, contact conditioner, and lint free swabs but that's it..

Hi Carlin,
Please read the "informational stickies" posted above--this our "FAQ dept." You will find opinions as to how to clean contacts there ! As for burnishing tools, I THINK, only that there is only one producer of these today. They are sold under a couple of "brand names", and some "no name items". Two of the "brand names" are GC, and Neuses. If you can't find them, I have a number of the later, branded, items, I will sell--PM if you wish to purchase one. Ron Rich

Going to pick her up today! Unfortunately it's pouring rain.. This should be fun..

Btw all the bolts that I have to lock down before I move it.. Are they metric or standard? Anyone know what size? I have thousands of sockets and box wrenches on my tool rack but don't want to bring them ALL haha..

Hi Carlin,
All "bolts, screws, nuts" will be SAE--that is an American produced product--
BE SURE to tie down the tonne arm--and I suggest you remove the turntable also--
Good luck !
Ron Rich

Thanks guys! I got the 4 suspension bolts tightened down without a problem.. I removed the turntable by just pulling upwards on it evenly and it slid out very easily. The tone arm had a lot of movement to it when you apply any pressure downward from the rest of the mechanism so rather than "tie" it down with cable ties or anything like that I used a long piece of gaffers tape and wrapped it around the arm and then attached the other end to the main base of the whole mechanism just snug enough to keep it from moving. I also took out all the records that I could but the rest of them were blocked by the cage and there didn't seem to be a way to rotate the carousel manually, when I tried it looked like other pieces of the mechanism were also trying to move so I just gave up. Still waiting for my service manual to arrive..

I just got the unit in the living room where it's going to live (and be torn apart hahaha), going to return the truck I rented now. I'm just glad I was smart enough to get a liftgate, no way I could have lifted that thing into a cargo van safely with one other person!

To rotate the carousel manually locate the "service switch". Its to the right of the basket / carousel and just in front of it, flip this switch to "scan" (top most position)and it will cycle the basket. "Operate" mode (bottom most position) is normal use and selections will play, "off" (middle position) is self explanatory, but you can still make selections, they just wont play till back in operate mode.

I included the positions in case the sticker peeled off on your one. Hope you enjoy your restoration. Just replacing a ballast and tube / holders/ wiring in the front door of my 442, in my case my dining room is carnage! Soldering irons, tools, bits of wire and other junk everywhere! A considerate / highly patient partner is required