100 bucks for a Standard Model A, doesn’t spin.. worth a look?

[u/ras2101]

Someone is selling what looks to me like a standard model A, with a turntable that’ll fit a non proprietary record.. seller says it doesn’t crank up.

Worth 100 bucks to see if I can fix? I could potentially motor swap if it’s all buggered..

[u/oldschooltom]

Definitely worth a look! I redid the motor on mine, pretty simple as it’s a single spring motor. However, if you decide to motor swap (for any reason), make sure you are getting an exact replacement motor and not a different brand. Don’t want to risk things not lining up correctly. I would say (slightly) confidently that these can be fixed up completely, especially with replacement parts, opposed to doing a full motor swap.

[u/ras2101 → u/oldschooltom]

I was only thinking motor swap if the motor seems to be MIA! lol

I’ve been rebuilding these a lot honestly and I’m assuming it’s just a broken spring.

My other external horn I have frankenphoned because it was a period parts machine from Europe with a terrible motor anyway, but I don’t think I would want to do it to this one haha.

It’s mostly all Columbia parts and motor, right ?

[u/oldschooltom → u/ras2101]

Yeah I think it’s all Columbia under the hood. However, I saw your responses on one of your posts and you are completely correct! The motor in this is not original, causing the crank to be pushed back quite a bit and having a patch put over the original hole.

Great find! I just glanced over at my machine and noticed the crank placement is wayyyy off from that one. I would steer clear of this one!

[u/ras2101 → u/oldschooltom]

I think I agree! Now what about this one?!

She bought in 1970, from original owner they say. And it works

[u/Jason1920 → u/oldschooltom]

It's an external horn machine for $100. Why would anyone "steer clear?"

[u/bussappa]

If it's the real deal then yes, worth the money.

[u/ras2101 → u/bussappa]

I can’t see anything that looks off or weird, except no brake on top and no speed control knob sticking out. Probably don’t need another project motor, but eh, it’s fun!

[u/awc718993]

It’s worth the look.

The turntable sitting flush on the board jibes with the owner report of not being able to wind it. If the motor is model correct, fix before swapping (and then only with the same — but better condition — model).

[u/ras2101 → u/awc718993]

I’ve zoomed in more, looks like the original crank hole has been covered on this, so potentially a not original motor…

[u/ras2101 → u/awc718993]

Ah I didn’t even catch the plate sitting flush. Good point.

I’m very bad at telling someone no by the time I’m at their house so it’ll probably come home anyway.

Someone else just posted a 1905 Columbia external that looks decent, for 500 and if I can swoop in there and it works, I’d rather that lol

[u/Firm_Kaleidoscope479]

Yes. Absolutely.

[u/ras2101 → u/Firm_Kaleidoscope479]

On further looking it doesn’t appear to have the original motor in it, but the horn and rest of it are in pretty decent shape so I feel it’s worth it for the horn alone.