Gravesend 6th November 2025

"Star of the show" this session was the 1959 record player.  The turntable didn't turn at all and instead of moving freely the pickup arm behaved as if it had arthritis.  Luckily the valve amplifier part was still working as attested by a scratching noise when the pickup needle was touched.

This was a challenge requiring a team effort.  After a lengthy battle with the seized mounting bolts access to the turntable mechanism was granted.  It became clear that the electric motor barely turned and required lubrication.  Having done just that it was then discovered that the rubber jockey wheel was slipping due to a weak spring and shiny friction surface.  A new spring was fitted and the friction surfaces roughed up with sandpaper and de-greased with alcohol. Every other part of the mechanism was cleaned and oiled.  The final step was reassembly and testing with a little help from The Everly Brothers.

Of course that wasn't all that happened today.  Garden shears and mower blades were sharpened, a watch-winding machine was brought back to life, a fan resumed blowing the right way, a tiny tape recorder was resurrected, clocks resumed ticking... and more besides.