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Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr. L-34 Motor Lubrication

G

GaryDouglas

New Member
I have begun to breath new life into my father's old turntable. So far I have simply cleaned up the outsides and replaced the idler wheels. Whether I have it set at 33 1/3 or 45, it goes at a reduced speed until I move the platter at a higher speed and then it comes up to the correct speed that is maintained (until it is turned off). I am assuming that I will need to make sure the spindle is properly lubricated after ~58 years, not to mention the motor. My motor does not have the two lubricating input funnels like seen on "Rek O Kut Tips" ( https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffahCVs2qnc/T-avHJFSfeI/AAAAAAAACL0/XKKOYlGOZFo/s320/ROKmotor-2.jpg ). When I replace the seven motor grommets, I may as well try to clean and lube the motor. Will this be obvious when I remove the motor or is there anything I should know ahead of time?

Unit Age: ~1959
Tonearm: Shure M12
Future Work:
Replace motor mounts
Clean/Lube Motor
Replace motor capacitor
Add new connectors (110 grounded and RCA)
Add DustBug
Add new isolation feet
Shine up platter
Test
Investigate getting new tone arm
Decide if I'm going to keep it
 
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Thanks for the link. I assumed that since the motor didn't have the same oil input funnels, it was a different motor. Looks like I need to check if there's a label ID on the motor like in my link. Time for a flash lite...
 
There are no markings or labels on the motor other than "patent pending". So I have a different motor, but won't know more until I extract it from it's mounting. I'm hoping a minimal amount of intervention is required, such as some lubrication on both ends of the motors axis, otherwise I'll be tinkering more than I want to...
 
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Is the motor square or cylindrical? I use to have an L-34 with the early square motor - aka the "Borg Death Cube" - and successfully opened and re-oiled it. You have to drill out the rivets at the end to get to the bearings. If you want to replace the ball bearing, PM me your address and I'll send you the correct one.

The cylindrical-style motor should have oil spouts, making the job much simpler.
 
Alas, mine is not square but cylindrical and yet no oil funnels. Since it’s still a mystery motor, I’ll free it from its moorings soon and maybe take a picture to share. Thanks for the offer...
 
It looks like the one on the right. It doesn’t have any identifiable markings on the side or bottom, so hopefully there’s something on the top...
 

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GaryDouglas said:
Alas, mine is not square but cylindrical and yet no oil funnels. Since it’s still a mystery motor, I’ll free it from its moorings soon and maybe take a picture to share. Thanks for the offer...
Click to expand...

I redid an L-34 and the motor didn't have the oiling tubes either. Draw a line on both halves where they meet. Unscrew the motor and gently pry it apart. Clean the interior with isopropyl alcohol (min 91%), clean the top and bottom of the spindle and then relube with a light oil. Put it back together and match up the lines,screw it back together, and hand twist it to make sure it spins freely. If it doesn't spin freely, take it apart and put it back together again.

The top of the motor has that fan on it that spins along with the motor and will give a very slight swooshing noise, but won't be heard.

My avatar picture has mine when it was refinished. You can click on the picture and open it in another page to see the full thing.
 
Thanks for the first hand experience.

I don’t need to remove the capstan to do this do I?

Are there bearings to deal with or simply oiling anyplace that has rotating metal against metal?

I assume when at the hardware store, light oil is actually what it is called? I’m familiar with sewing machine oil...

I cleaned the capstan with alcohol using swabs and hoping that is as much as is necessary.
 
GaryDouglas said:
Thanks for the first hand experience.

I don’t need to remove the capstan to do this do I?

Are there bearings to deal with or simply oiling anyplace that has rotating metal against metal?

I assume when at the hardware store, light oil is actually what it is called? I’m familiar with sewing machine oil...

I cleaned the capstan with alcohol using swabs and hoping that is as much as is necessary.
Click to expand...

Sewing machine oil or 3-in-1 should work.
 
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