I just picked up a Webcor RC in pristine condition, but the old lube is really gummed up needs to be cleaned. I am new at this and I need some advice on the best way to clean it and also the type of lube to use. Thanks , ED

People are going to show you their favorite stuff but when it comes down to it about any oil will do . Light oil for the motor and a bit thicker stuff for open moving parts so it stays put . Grease is used on some of the more crude moving parts .

Things not to use are WD-40 or many of the '' loostens rusted parts '' spray cans . Most of those are not oil but some oil mixed in with cleaning solvents that do not lubricate for long .

Indeed, don't take the word of someone who repairs record changers for a living, and has been doing so for decades.
Make your own mind up.

I have a portable Victor VV-50 that gives me a "machine gun" sound when played. Obviously needs old grease removed etc. I too have never done this repair before. Will the oil/grease shown above be a good choice for my Victor? Thanks.

RT, I have a tube of Phonolube on hand. Do you have any thoughts on that stuff? If I remember, it looks pretty much like Lubriplate.

I have several Dual TTs here, and a PE. At least the one Dual I definitely want to use for myself (1219) still has its stuerpimpels (sp?) in place, thank God. Those are real picky with lubricant types and placement. HAS to be done RIGHT. Of course, I use the maint manuals from the manufacturer, and consult experts. Like RT here, and NoTransistors on AK.

ChrisH664, it sounds like your Victor No. 50 phonograph has a dry spring and your motor probably needs a good cleaning and lubrication.

It's fairly easy to clean and lube the entire single spring motor. Remove the No. 2 sound box to protect it. Remove the four screws and lift the motor board out of the cabinet; remove the three sets of nuts to remove the motor. Remove the leather brake pad the engages the governor to protect it, apply a few drops of oil to rejuvenate this.

Take photos so you'll remember how you disassembled the left side of the motor to remove the can that holds the mainspring.
I suggest you send the can out to be serviced, or if you're up for the task you can open it, clean and re-grease, a messy task. If the spring is broken that's a bit more complicated.

To lubricate the phonograph, I recommend a good quality graphite based grease on the spiral of the spindle (worm gear) and ratchet and winding gears. I recommend using a light Mobile One synthetic oil on each of the 4-5 bearings. As the motor's oil and grease is inside the cabinet, it won't be exposed to dust so this lubrication should last a long time.

This is Victor's first talking machine designed to be portable, they sold about 152,000 in mahogany or oak cabinets, all nickel plated. I've had one for a long time, very reliable, great sound from that No. 2 reproducer. Good luck.

For service and repair:
George Velloma, http://www.victroladoctor.com (Michigan)
Rod Lauman, http://www.victrolarepairservice.com (Vermont)
Both have great reputations and good prices.

Jack

Phonolube is ok, it's like lithium grease, but I was never impressed by it.

I picked up the SuperS red wheel bearing grease at a local auto suply place and like the way it works, and the consistency of it.
It's great on sliding/rubbing parts and stays where you put it.

Also good but a bit more pricey is SuperLube in the silver/grey tube. (Ace hardware)
It's a great clear synthetic grease that's slippery as hell and is immune to heat and drying out.
I'd use that on the plastic gear in the Duals.
I've used it on VCR mechs and 15 years later it's still slippery and clean.

Thanks for the information Jack. Much appreciated. It'll be a few weeks before I give it a whirl. I am assuming this is the correct type graphite grease I should purchase?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0139

I used super lube on the platter bearings of a BSR turntable, wouldnt use anything else now, as RT says its expensive but when it make a budget turntable like a BSR quiet it must be doing something right.
I also used it on the changer mech and it works well there too.

RT and OMM, thanks for the pointers on the SuperLube. I'll definitely pick some up!

There's nothing like Phonolube. It is getting more difficult to find, but you can find it online by searching for it. I use it exclusively on every changer I service. I tried white lithium grease awhile back, but totally hated that stuff...looks like white paint when applied. Won't use any more of it.

Here's what Phonolube looks like when applied to the sprocket and main slide of an RCA changer:

Like I said...... I was never impressed by Phonolube.

Some people are interesting . There are dozens oils & greases that will do the same thing . I have noticed while taking apart old phonos and jukeboxes any grease that was white all turned into crusty crud . I dont use the white stuff .

For a light grease , I have used vaseline and it seems to work for the sliding parts.