Magnavox Micromatic 45 Adapter not dropping 45s

Hello Everyone,

A friend of mine recently picked up a 1965 Astro-Sonic model console. As far as we can tell everything is working perfectly on it, however we are having issues with the 45 spindle adapter. For some reason it does not seem to want to drop 45's when using the auto mode. LP's and 78's drop fine and everything seems free and easy moving with the mechanics.

Thinking the 45 adapter was broke or stuck I took it apart but did not see anything obviously wrong with it. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on this. Do we need another adapter? Is there a diagram on the 45 adapters that show exactly how they are supposed to be assembled. His uses the white/beige adapter with no hole in the top. I have a similar unit that uses the black adapter with a hole in the top (will this adapter work on his for testing purposes?)

Please let me know if you would need any more information and thanks for any help you may be able to offer

After 50 years these things fail due to assorted abuse, wear, and deterioration.

Since you've already "took apart" that adapter, let's call it trash now - time for a new one.
And no, the "no hole" adapter cannot be replaced by a "hole" type.
The spindles are different design.
However, not knowing the the previous history of that changer, it's possible that someone puzted with adjustments - causing faulty 45 adapter operation.
Additionaly, the changer itself is now overdue for an overhaul - something not easily performed by a novice.

Gary Stork at the VM website can supply adapters, but it's good to first determine if the changer is in proper operating condition - for 45 RPM adapters.

Yep, they are different. --BB







Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Aw, come-on Bobby--do I "gotta learn you", EVERYTHING ??
They are the same--both are 45 rpm adapters !!
Only difference ( other then color) is SEX !! One is a "boy", other is a "girl"--
Hopefully, you can determine which is which ??
Ron Rich

Thanks for the replies. I did not think the two adapters were interchangeable, but had read some conflicting posts on line.

As far as the adapter goes, I will probably mention for him to try and find a replacement and give that a shot.

Just for my own curiosity, is there not a service diagram or schematic for the 45 adapters? After opening it up, it really seems to be pretty simple mechanics and looks like it is working freely, just doesn't activate when on the spindle

Thanks again,
BIll

Oh, my bad...

I didn't think to look underneath to see which was a boy or girl...LOL! Sorry the spindle pics came out so small, but I snapped them with my cell phone at the last minute. You can see that the top part of spindle #2 if offset, while spindle #1 is in a straight line all the way to the top.

I did try the taller, black adapter on the shorter spindle and it "sorta" worked, but no cigar.





The first pic is a newer 70's W714 series changer with a very short spindle, maybe holding abour for LP's, the adapter having no moving parts, the second one seems to be more popular used on the W620 series W812 series that "look" similar, but using a flat adapter, and the last one is from a 1965 Astro-Sonic that had an Imperial Micromatic. I have two changers similar to that in the third pic, but they have different spindles.

Other than the different turntable mats, spindles and "labeling" on the older changers, I don't know the differences between the two since they come from the family of W602 thru W608 series.

Sorry for being so pic heavy, but thought it would hep (I mean help) folks that come accross these issues. --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

zinkatres wrote:Thanks for the replies. I did not think the two adapters were interchangeable, but had read some conflicting posts on line.
BIll

That's the trouble with the internet - it's LOADED with information that simply isn't CORRECT.

MIS-information.

But how is a person to know for sure about something?
As a long time tech, and knowing/servicing these things above and beyond most people's "information" - I can assure you the proper spindle needs to be used, or else it's all a waste of time.

But as I mentioned earlier, there's an adjustment in the changer mechanicals that could be out-of-whack as well.
The changer would require proper servicing, then.

There is even more to it than that. I have a Collaro Conquest with the original round adaptor. But it has the hole and works the same as the one shown with the hole.

Note that the record pusher works in a different way on the tall spindle than it does with the other two. On the tall spindle, the pusher starts out to the left of the spindle body, rises into the record hole, and then pushes the record to the right and off the spindle ledge. On the other two spindles, the record pusher starts inside the main spindle body and already in the record hole, and moves to the right to push the record off the support fingers. So the long spindle type and the shorter types can't possibly work each other's 45 spindles.

Also note that, with the long 45 spindle, the overarm must NOT be resting on the records, if records are to drop properly. Read the instructions. On the Conquest or Coronation (with the black Bakelite overarm), you either put the overarm on top of the 45 spindle (not the records) or leave it over the rest post. On the Continental, RC-54 or Constellation, you rest the overarm against the rims of the 45s. These last changers are the ones with the drop feelers for record size instead of the arm tip scanner. The overarm swings in against the spindle when the last record drops, and the changer shuts off on the next cycle. Here is a picture of a correctly loaded RC-54:



On my Conquest, the overarm is removable, so I just take it out when using the 45 spindle.

If the turntable mat has been replaced with a thicker one, if a turntable has been substituted from one of the changers using one of the other spindles, or if an extra washer is in the turntable bearing, everything still works except for the 45 adapter.

I have a strobe disc I keep on the turntable. I have to remove it if I want to use the 45 adapter. Otherwise, the record pusher on the small-hole spindle misses the plate that works the shelves and slicers on the large-hole spindle.

It is also possible that the record pusher on the small spindle is out of adjustment just enough that small-hole records still work, but it slides under the plate of the large hole spindle. This is especially true with the tallest spindle. There are 3 adjustment screws on the bottom of the mechanism, one for pusher height, and the other two for pusher travel. On the newer spindles, there is a spring that raises the pusher to the proper height. If it is bent, the pusher might still drop LPs, but miss the plate on the 45 spindle.