Hoping someone can help. I have an Admiral Phonograph/Radio Model 6J2 that I've restored. The radio sounds fine and so does the the phonograph. The trouble is, if I don't use the phonograph for a few days it's sluggish when it starts. Sometimes it gets stuck and I have to push it by hand. When it does start, it turns slowly. After a few minutes it gets up to speed and then it will play and records fine. I can use it all day and it will play. It's only after I haven't use it in a while that this happens. Has anyone had this problem with this particular unit? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

You can see it at work here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTo1wW1GclU

Dried grease is the culprite here, you need to remove the turntable and remove any old grease, it will have gone to a tar like substance.
Then you need to reapply.

I restored this record player. I cleaned the motor and I put new grease. It still has the problem.

Did you check the rubber drive wheel, if this is hard it will need to be replaced, this could be a cause.
I still think you may have missed something when lubing it, ive done it myself.

The idler wheel has new rubber. It was done by West-Tech. Maybe I'm using the wrong grease.

I hope you didnt find my posts patronising it wasnt meant that way, you have done a fantastic job on that machine, i was just trying to help you with the common faults.
I dont know that turntable, im more of a BSR/GARRARD man but the principals are the same, i have relubed all my turntables and i had issues like you and hadnt greasedit properly.
I hope someone else chimes in with more help

What kind of grease did you use? And what kind of oil did you use for the motor?

Lithium grease and 3M oil. Thanks.

Nice admiral you've got there!

I'm betting, if you take the motor apart again, soak the bearings then clean and re-lube the motor with turbine oil, your problem will go away.

Thanks Ken. I bought the oil you suggested and re-lubed the motor and it's been working well ever since. It also helped to put back the c-clamp I accidentally left off the idler wheel.

Im glad you got it sorted its a great looking machine.