Credenza Lid Dampers

Q&A about Talking Machines from the pre-electronic era (approx. 1885-1928).



Topic author
VicDog

Credenza Lid Dampers

by VicDog » Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:57 pm

Yesterday the lid on my Credenza closed itself. It must have been a pretty good crash because the shocks or the dampers have never worked on the lid. My question is are these dampers re-buildable? I have never really looked at them close and would like to know what I am getting into before I pull them out of there. Thanks to anyone with info!


Joe_DS
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Re: Credenza Lid Dampers

by Joe_DS » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:13 am

Lubrication and adjustment instructions for the pneumatic cushion type lid supports can be found in this online Orthophonic Victrola manual -- http://members.aol.com/peter63/orthoman.htm ; specifically on this page: http://members.aol.com/peter63/ortho4.htm

This should work if the friction leather cups are still in good condition. It would probably be best to start out by spraying a liberal amount of penetrating oil into the top of the lid support tube, as noted in the instructions, and testing it, before adjusting the air inlet locknuts .

If this doesn't work, they could probably be rebuilt. In most cases, all that is needed are replacement leather cups. I'm not sure if any parts suppliers stock these, however, but they can probably be made from scratch.


Topic author
VicDog

Re: Credenza Lid Dampers

by VicDog » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:16 am

Joe,
Thanks for the info. I will try it this weekend...


Topic author
VicDog

Re: Credenza Lid Dampers

by VicDog » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:31 pm

Just to let everyone know...
The oil and valve adjustment did not work for me so I did remove these lid supports (easier than I thought)
They easily come apart and as it turns out the leather inside was still good, I simply flipped it over and used the other side of them. The whole project took less than 2 hours and this includes about 30 minutes looking for the ball bearing that shot out of it when I pulled it apart. With that I say....look at this thing real close before you pull it apart. Extended in the full open position and you will see there are two ball bearings that pop into two small holes on the tube. This is the catch that holds the lid in the open position and they are spring loaded ! So after you removed the cap and start pulling the plunger out I would suggest wrapping a paper towel or small cloth around it to catch these bearings.

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