I have a need for either rep idler wheels for a 1954 Admiral and a 1940s GE turntables, or a small supply of rubber stock that has the right thickness and can be cut to shape. Also where can I find neoprene rubber tubing or really small and wide drive belts for roler couplings on the Admiral?

:Hi! you can get phono wheels rebuilt at www.vintagelectronics.com ,If you email them with what you need, they'll check stock for you. Not everything is listed on site. i.e. phono grommets. Another site to check is www.vintage-electronics.cc , which also has lots of phono parts. Good Luck!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : :I have a need for either rep idler wheels for a 1954 Admiral and a 1940s GE turntables, or a small supply of rubber stock that has the right thickness and can be cut to shape. Also where can I find neoprene rubber tubing or really small and wide drive belts for roler couplings on the Admiral?

Hi Ray,Are your idler wheels completely rotted and cracked or have they just gotten hard and glazed or maybe have a dent in them.I just went through this with a Wollensak tape recorder that uses three idlers.I put up an ad for used ones at that other antique radio website with the usual promises and no action.My idlers had dents in them from sitting so long.I took them out and chucked them into a drill press.I used a medium grit stone and ground the dents out.Removes the old rubber and leaves a nice finish.Because they are idlers,the small reduction in size makes no difference in speed.There are quite a few places that have them N.O.S.,but I wasn't about to pay $40-$50 a piece.Do a Google on "phono idler wheels" and you will find them,just be sitting down when you check prices.These places also usually have rebuilding services for slightly less money.

If your item has a single idler wheel, a reduction in size will not affect speed. Phonographs with the double level idler (small wheel on top and large wheel on bottom) will have speed affected if the idler is machined. Removing from the large bottom increases speed. Removing from the small top decreases speed.

One thing to keep in mind is that if the tire isn't vulcanized to the metal wheel, but seems to fit in a groove, you might consider replacing it with an O ring of appropriate size. I did this to a 1940s bakelite Admiral (with the reverse painted tone arm and stress gauge pick-up), and it works well.

T.

Ray/Mike,
Mike's idea will work fine, but the stone/sandpaper must be clamped stationary, otherwise the manual hand held stone will just follow bumps and dents on the original. I have had poor to moderate success coating these wheels with a water based glue that drys to a rubber like state, and is water proof thereafter. If you do the retread method, use contact cement to join the parts.

marv

:Hi Ray,Are your idler wheels completely rotted and cracked or have they just gotten hard and glazed or maybe have a dent in them.I just went through this with a Wollensak tape recorder that uses three idlers.I put up an ad for used ones at that other antique radio website with the usual promises and no action.My idlers had dents in them from sitting so long.I took them out and chucked them into a drill press.I used a medium grit stone and ground the dents out.Removes the old rubber and leaves a nice finish.Because they are idlers,the small reduction in size makes no difference in speed.There are quite a few places that have them N.O.S.,but I wasn't about to pay $40-$50 a piece.Do a Google on "phono idler wheels" and you will find them,just be sitting down when you check prices.These places also usually have rebuilding services for slightly less money.

Well actually Marv,I held the stone by hand on top of the drill press platform and all three idlers came out perfectly round,clamping was not necessary.This is exactly why I used something rigid to grind with,not flimsy sand paper.The tricky part is to not to use too much pressure or too aggressive a stone or the rubber will get hot and glaze.It was quite easy really.

Ray,
Thomas's suggestion of "O" rings is a good idea. My local TRUE VALUE hardware has a large selection. Don't overlook the nearby plumbing area as well, which has various rubber parts that can be adapted with small effort. I made an idler wheel insert a while back, using some non descript rubber coupling.
I've also made drive belts for cassette players with rubber-like plastic string from a craft shop. Cut to length, thermal weld ends, then trim off the mushroom with a razor blade. Another idea is to retread it with rubber tubing split lengthwise, tlen glued to the original.
marv

:I have a need for either rep idler wheels for a 1954 Admiral and a 1940s GE turntables, or a small supply of rubber stock that has the right thickness and can be cut to shape. Also where can I find neoprene rubber tubing or really small and wide drive belts for roler couplings on the Admiral?

Ray,
Forgot to mention that if you opt to retread as described, choose vacuum hose vs other, because it doesn't have the cloth/fiberglas molded within the rubber.

marv

:I have a need for either rep idler wheels for a 1954 Admiral and a 1940s GE turntables, or a small supply of rubber stock that has the right thickness and can be cut to shape. Also where can I find neoprene rubber tubing or really small and wide drive belts for roler couplings on the Admiral?

Ray: Many record changers sold under various names were all made by the voice of music corp. Gary Stork has bought out the stock of that former company and may have the parts you need. www.thevoiceofmusic.com or call 248-478-0990. He was very helpful when I needed belts and wheels for a late 40's zenith. Mark from Kalamazoo

:I have a need for either rep idler wheels for a 1954 Admiral and a 1940s GE turntables, or a small supply of rubber stock that has the right thickness and can be cut to shape. Also where can I find neoprene rubber tubing or really small and wide drive belts for roler couplings on the Admiral?

Ray: I restore primarily radios but also do an occasional record player. When I need an idler wheel I do not have I carefully measure the diameter and the shaft hole and make one from brass on my small metal lathe leaving a groove to insert an "O" ring for the drive surface. This also makes the drive surface easily replaceable in the future. I realize that you probably do not have a metal lathe but possibly a friend might help you out . . .a machine job shop would not charge too much since it can be machined in about 10 minutes on a manual non CNC lathe.