Magavox Collaro

The tone arm to my Maggie seems to have more resistance to horizontal movement so I thought I'd check it out and I noticed that the thrust bearing seems to me made of felt. No ball bearing or such. Wondering if anyone dealt with this? Am I missing something? Thanks.

It's a Conquest from the '50s. The kind that has the removable headshell and eye-of-needle overarm.

Just a WAG, 'cause I no nothin' about this subject--but anytime I see "felt" around moving parts, I think SAE 20 wt. motor oil ---
Ron Rich

That is described in Sams as a felt clutch washer, so, apparently, there should be some friction. I think it is part of the Velocity trip mechanism.

Ok, but is there then an actual thrust bearing hidden from view? The manual I have is for a slightly newer model and shows a ball/race thrust bearing not unlike the one you would see at the platter base. Unless it is part of some kind of anti-skate design I've not seen before. I just think that the horizontal movement should have less resistance and I've checked all of the other usual suspects ie; tonearm wires, trip mechanism etc. and they are fine.

No, there is no ball race or anything similar. Just below the felt clutch disc the tone arm shaft does go through a bearing sleeve. Perhaps the lube in there has gummed?

If you want, I can scan the manual and post it somewhere this weekend, putting a link here.

Brian, does your data (SAMS) indicate "Conquest" on it. It would be interesting to me if you would post it somewhere. I know the "Conquest" models do have bearings and whatnot for the tonearm. Really a mess, lots of parts! Thom, you must have the Revised TC-340-E Conquest data tho your changer could be the other (first) Conquest. Both I believe have adjustments in which to loosen it up.
Bill

I believe I have the first one as there is no bearing that I can find except for the felt. I would love to have the manual on this particular unit if you can link it. Adjustment advice would also be welcome. Thanks!

The Sams that I have been looking at is for the Model RC-456, in set number 342. There is a manual for the Conquest in Set number 390, which I don't seem to have.

Both of you post your email and I will send a PDF of SAMS 390-5.
Bill

thomb70@hotmail.com THANKS!!

shedradios wrote:Both of you post your email and I will send a PDF of SAMS 390-5.
Bill

i can use a schematic for this changer too,hahah

thanks much
joe


chompo7@yahoo.com

Thanks Shedradio! I hope to get a chance to investigate this weekend.

NOW, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!

It's so nice when folks freely share their resources with others. The mom & pop shops are gone, for the most part, and techs are seemingly scarce when it comes to dealing with our older hobby/technology. Like the old song says, "I get by with alittle help from my friends." With this economy, we need all the help we can get.

Thank you to those who have helped and educated me throughout the years, and I gladly pass on what little resources I have. The internet is great...you're not gonna run down to Radio Shack and get the information that's been shared here by all the contributors.

And again, I do have scanned service manuals for W602 thru W608, W714 thru 716, and one gentleman kindly sent me a PDF scan of a hardcopy I sent him for the W620, W621 and W622 changers. Just send me a private email (below), and I'll gladly send them to you.

Okay, so much for my State of the (?) address. It just feels so good to be a help to others.--BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona
Email: rwbasham@yahoo.com (lower case)

Dittos to Bobby!! Here are a few pictures of the changer. The one shows what I think is the thrust bearing. As you can see from the picture of the underside the mechanism is different from the SAMS photofact. It may be the way it is but my intention down the road was to install a magnetic cart and a light tracking cartridge is not going to carry this tonearm across the record.

Here is a photo of the same area on a Collaro RC-456 (This unit is waiting to be serviced, so is very dusty and gummy).
What appears in your picture to be a piece of heavy coarse felt with black marker on the outside, is on the one I have, a piece of cast metal with a thin piece of very fine felt beneath, riding on top of the metal plate, providing a slight amount of friction , but not much. This friction is what brings the arm in to the record during the auto cycle.