• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Getting started repairing a Magnavox Micromatic

T

themdg

New Member
Hi There:

I bought a great looking/sounding Magnavox cabinet this weekend.

mag3.jpg


mag2.jpg


It's very clean outside. Some dust on the inside, and the pots need cleaning. Sound is great from the radio.

Where I need some direction is the turntable. My collection of vinyl needs to be played. I don't know much about repairing these units. Here are the symptoms:

The turntable turns, but it struggles. It turns very slow, and with a light touch I can stop it. I removed the turn table. Looks like there is a stepped spindle and a rubber wheel that moves up and down as I change rpm speeds.

The spindle doesn't seem to be spinning fast enough. The rubber needed cleaning and may need replacing but that's now what was causing all the problems I don't think.

Is there another rubber wheel or something that turns that stepped spindle? I want to do this right. I don't want to just start yanking parts off. Can anyone help me get started?
 
Register to hide this ad
Hi themdg,
As with all mechanical items. Cleaning the old grease and reapplying fresh might be a good start. It's quite possible the rubber parts have shrunk over time. If you have any, you could try some liquid to try and renew the rubber parts. It sounds like you have one with an idler wheel that drives the platter?
You could try oiling the main bearing and the motor. 3 in 1 oil if you have nothing better. Just don't use wd 40, that's not really good for the bearings.
That really is a beautiful unit. Much better looking than my sears job. I would say from the looks of it, it is from the late sixties. Good luck.
Regards. Ron.
 
While I can't help you with repairing your Maggie,I would just like to say that is a beautiful unit.
I still have my Dad's Maggie console,and as soon as I get some room downstairs it will have a permanent spot.
That thing still CRANKS!
 
Just did that....

I had a 1972 Astro-Sonic console with the Micro-Matic turntable. Had to compleatly take the table apart, clean all the old greese out and put it back together relubricating everything. I rewired the tonearm but keept the original Electro-Voice cartridge as that thing sounded so good. It tracks at 2.5 grams!!! Also, I ended up taking the motor apart and cleaning it as well. Holds speed VERY WELL. 3-in-1 oil was the ticket. My aunt is still ussing this system...she now has a 100 disc changer connected to it at the AUX port and still plays the Turntable, Cassette, and radio.

That whole Astro-Sonic system is a joy to listen to. Those enclosed acoustic suspension speakers with the horns are just wonderfull sounding. Her unit has the 15" woffers and large horns. She had the optional Cassette deck that was installed/added by the Maggie dealer about 4 years after she originaly bought the consol at...get this...Handy Andy in Sacramento. lol

Enjoy
 
Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll start to disassemble things. What should I use to try and rehydrate the rubber? Is there a special solution for this?

I was excited by the condition of the unit. The previous owner showed me the 3 tiny scratches on it, and told me the years and circumstances in which they were made. (This one happened in 1987 when I dropped a family photo on it) etc. Says she bought it in 1971 or 1972 and it's been sitting in the same place ever since.
 
If your idler wheel is hardened/slick, there are a couple of options...

I ran mine on a low speed drill press ussing some 400 grit sandpapaer to remove the hardened layer. That worked great. DO NOT use any Alcohol chemicles on the rubber as that will kill it!

However, if they are really bad, you may need to have the wheel re-rubbered. There is a guy that does just that. http://www.terrysrubberrollers.com/ He did my TEAC A-6300 pinch roller and it came out GREAT.

Joey
 
3-in-1 oil is good all-purpose oil, but the best stuff is Singer Sewing Machine oil. Find a place that services sewing machines - they usually stock the stuff.
 
I'll try that with the rubber.

I took of the turn table. After a little clip on top, it lifted right off. If I hold it by the peice on the bottom and spin it, it really resists. Of course spinning it clockwise doesn't work, but spinning it backwards makes me think there are bearings that are hosed. Does this matter much?
 
themdg said:
I'll try that with the rubber.

I took of the turn table. After a little clip on top, it lifted right off. If I hold it by the peice on the bottom and spin it, it really resists. Of course spinning it clockwise doesn't work, but spinning it backwards makes me think there are bearings that are hosed. Does this matter much?
Click to expand...

Flush the bearings with a degreaser. If you can remove them, you can soak them as well. You need to get all of the old dirt and grease/oil out of the bearings. Then oil the bearings with sewing machine oil. Over time the grease/oil will react with humidity and dust to create a gummy, gluey substance that will increase the internal friction of the bearing. Hopefully, the bearings themselves are not damaged; they probably aren't, because the load they bear is so slight.
 
tensleep said:
Flush the bearings with a degreaser. If you can remove them, you can soak them as well. You need to get all of the old dirt and grease/oil out of the bearings. Then oil the bearings with sewing machine oil. Over time the grease/oil will react with humidity and dust to create a gummy, gluey substance that will increase the internal friction of the bearing. Hopefully, the bearings themselves are not damaged; they probably aren't, because the load they bear is so slight.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll try that tonight after I pickup some sewing machine oil. I know a place locally that probably carries it. I'll post some more pics of the stuff I'm working on too.
 
Wow- growing up in the 80s, my friend's parents had one sitting in their "back room" as a table/furniture. Same innards as yours (but no cassette) and different outer cabinet. He didn't even know it opened till I showed him one day, and I ran home, grabbed some records, and we started rocking out.
 
Garrard201 said:
Wow- growing up in the 80s, my friend's parents had one sitting in their "back room" as a table/furniture. Same innards as yours (but no cassette) and different outer cabinet. He didn't even know it opened till I showed him one day, and I ran home, grabbed some records, and we started rocking out.
Click to expand...

I know just what you mean. I grew up in the 90's, but was fed by my dads great LP and 45 collection which he has given me. All of his original Beatles, Cream, McCartney, Nesmith etc etc. All well taken care of. Can't wait to listen to them again. There's something calming to my ADD knowing that I can't just press next, next, next as on my ipod.
 
The metal roller that spins the rubber idler might need to be cleaned. Use a Q-Tip dipped in isopropyl to clean the metal roller, and be careful not to get the iso on the rubber. Give it a few minutes to dry and/or wipe it with a dry Q-Tip
 
themdg said:
I'll try that with the rubber.

I took of the turn table. After a little clip on top, it lifted right off. If I hold it by the peice on the bottom and spin it, it really resists. Of course spinning it clockwise doesn't work, but spinning it backwards makes me think there are bearings that are hosed. Does this matter much?
Click to expand...

It's supposed to rotate only one way. There's a sprag clutch in there. Don't mess with it. That prevents the changer mechanism from moving in reverse. BAD JUJU!!!! Just oil it and then put it aside.

I was gonna mention the tutorial but schmikka beat me to it. "CLASSIC"?????? You got to be kidding me! LOL!!

Larry
 
Ok, this project made it to the top of my list (finally.) I'll start on the turn table tonight. I'll take some pics and post them here in case anyone is interested. I'll search the posts for where to order parts...a new stylus for starters. I'm hoping I don't need to replace much else. Here goes nothin'.
 
I've made some progress, and caused some new problems. Ha.

I'll add some photos at the bottom. Just a few shots after the process was finished. Nothing really related to a question.

So I removed many of the parts to get to the sticky grease. It cleaned off nicely with alcohol. I used a bit of WD40 on some stubborn blackness, and it came right off too. The motor made a terrible squeal as the rod that holds the stepped spindle rattled back and forth while it tried to spin. This was my main problem. A few drops of the sewing machine oil solved that one.

It spins nicely now, and changed speeds as I change the control.

The problems I have now:

1) The auto load doesn't quite work right. The record doesn't drop, and the arm doesn't settle onto the record. It pops up, swings over, then swings back and puts itself away. I can start the table manually, and place the needle down.

2) W it puts it self away (the arm), and the table keeps spinning, a very distinct and quick click is heard. If I reach under the turn table and nudge the arm tracking wheel the tiniest bit, the machine turns off, and of course the clikcing stops. It's trying to do something there, and the clicking is the sound of the plastic peice allllmost making it.

3) No sound. Before I replaced it, I tried the old stylus on an old record. It sucked, but the sound was trying. Now that things are back together, no sound is coming from the speakers. I removed the whole stylus cartridge to take into my local shop. In the process, 2 (and later the 3rd) of the tiny wires broke off it's clip, right behind the solder. I wasn't actually sure where they started. I soldered them back on their clips, and guessed where they do. Brown in the center, and two white wires on either side? Perhaps my solder is bad, or something. Any way I can put a Multimeter on the signal/ground wires to see if any signal is being passed back? Any other tips on troubleshooting this?

I'll retrace my steps, and I bet #'s 1 and 2 fix themselves. I probably put something back on incorrectly.

The sound is the main one. Have to have a better look at the wiring. Can I rewire the whole thing? What gauge is that stuff? So thin.

2009-08-15-MicromaticCleaned-001.jpg


2009-08-15-MicromaticCleaned-002.jpg


2009-08-15-MicromaticCleaned-003.jpg


2009-08-15-MicromaticCleaned-004.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom