Help Appreciated - conti 1 - gripper drops records

Eitan,
Glad you got-it !! Only 150 pushes--OK, next time, I'll advise 200 pushes-- Enjoy/play it, a whole lot, in the next few weeks, then add more 20 wt. oil !
IMHO, "WD-40" is good for one thing only--exactly what it was designed to do --displace water--! "WD-40" stands for "Water Displacement (formula) #40"--39 previous formuli failed ! Ron Rich

Hi Again!
Rob/Ron

can you explain to me how normal is that:
see pics

one record is good size and will get 100% grip (thanks to your advice), the other will be 'dancing' in the gripper and in risk of loosing it when the gripper travels (yes it drops it). This is the same position i just switched the records.

I guess some vinyl manufacturers have produces smaller/bigger 7" records ??
but how does the Ami mechanism is handling this
does this mean not all records will suit my machine ?

Eitan

Eitan, unless they are making 45's a lot smaller in the Middle East the problem you are having is that the gripper is still not fully extending.

With no record and the gripper standing vertical, try pulling up on the lower "jaw" of the gripper by grabbing the collar out of which the two arms emerge. Do not use too much force but enough to make it fully emerge. These cases of old oil turning to sludge can be very persistent. The stuff gets like cement after being caked with dirt and left to sit and harden for years.

Rob

Eitan, Rob,
The spec. for a 45/33 "7 inch" record is 6-7/8" plus/minus 1/32" nd.
Anything outside that spec. should not play--
Ron Rich

Hi
(the records in the pics are both european)

re the gripper, i agree with you Rob that the mechanism is still not working well.

now, i did a lot of progress (oil-pushing ...) but still when i pull the collar of the gripper and allowing it to spring-slam - it jumps smooth but when reaching its max point its almost jammed and a lot of force should be used to push it back. so something is interfering inside the gripper housing.

now I just spent good 3 hours using dentist tools (yes small mirror and a small needle tool) to try and clean inside.
it still jams if i pull and allow the gripper collar to move fast by the spring.

Is there a simple way to move the spirol pin without dismantling the whole machine (i guess) to do this process ?
i thing i can try to build a tool that one can screw in and it will pull the pin.

Is this the right direction ? any experience with this spirol pin?

Eitan

n.b. re small records I figured out an idea - a small black elastic-sponge-material in the middle of the collar with optimal size will do the job i think

Eitan,
You have never stated what type/kind of oil you are using--IMHO, you are wasting your time using anything but 20 wt. ND oil. If you, or someone before you have used something else, it probably is unable to combine with the graphite grease used by AMi, and has become a sticky/gummy mess inside that gripper. I have dis-assembled a few of them, long ago, in the past, but do not recall the "pin" you ask about?? --sorry As for your "idea"--maybe, if it does not touch a large record when on the turntable, or in passing by in the basket--Ron Rich

Hi Ron
in Israel almost very little oil choices
this is what i use which suppose to be acid free etc
http://www.pressol.com/suche?lang=en#!/f/10097/c/-1/s/114/i/2592/10097


i can also buy here oil for car engines, i guess no problem to find 20W
(i guess the letters ND mean non-detergents )

any directions here will help

the spirol pin holds the back part (weight) and the collar pipe, so one can not dismantle the gripper without pulling this pin - see pic (not my Conti but same idea)

eitan

Hi Ron
see above (pin)
can you explain if 20 wt. ND oil can be replace by cars engine motor synthetic 20wt. or i am completely wrong
eitan

Eitan,
I do not know--I have used the same oil for about 50 years--too old to change--
Can you purchase WD-40 products there ? They supply a 20 wt motor oil that works fine. It's branded here as "3 in One MOTOR oil"
--sold in 3 oz. plastic containers-- Ron Rich

JukeIL wrote:Hi Ron
see above (pin)
can you explain if 20 wt. ND oil can be replace by cars engine motor synthetic 20wt. or i am completely wrong
eitan

The answer is yes. I've used Mobil 1 ND since 1992.

Rob

I would test any product very carefully, over time, if considering using it--especially on "plastics", "oil wicks", brass, and painted surfaces.
Ron Rich

Rob, Ron
I have solved it
i pulled back the spirol pin, this was very hard job, hammer etc...

Well this machine was abused by someone probably using a screwdriver trying to draw back the gripper weight.

look at the small chips the blade caused (in red), i had to sandpaper those, when i held it in hand outside you can feel them stopping the collar movement.

This pin was not an easy task though, but it's of course worth it and a great triumph (now i have to get it back...).

also look at the old grease residue inside, it was a pleasure cleaning it.

I appreciate all your help

* I will probably soon ask another laymen question in the forum so be patient

Thanks!
eitan

Hi Eitan
Glad you fixed it !! Thanks for posting that--never can tell what some "clown" has done to these things in the past !
Ron Rich

Well, that is a new one for me...but unfortunately, when you get these old machines abuse, hacks and other surprises are often included...and at no extra charge. Solving these sorts of problems does increase your sense of 'ownership" and confidence.


Rob

well
now i am looking for a replacement for the spirol pin
i see no sense using the crazy old one, its planned holding 10tons
imagining i will have to take it out sometime
i think a fiber pole will do, the kind they use in kites
i will post it here if i will find a proper solution
eitan