Wurlitzer 1015 Record Tray Stack, To Lube or not to Lube

[retrophono]

That's my question!

I'm just about to re-assemble the stack and nowhere in the manual that I've seen, other than the shaft under the frame, is there a hint as to whether or not to lubricate the individual copper washers etc. Understandably, Wurlitzer, other than the initial build in the factory, would they publish a step-by-step "how to" when it comes to putting these together so that begs the question, again, as to when and where to apply lube and which one to use where. As a general rule in my shop for my re-builds of Seeburg, Rock Ola & other makes, when it comes to the mechanism, 3 in 1 20 wt. small motor oil or when otherwise needed, the appropriate grease or other lubricant. My guess is that since both the trays & washers are made of relatively 'soft' metals that no lube is necessary. The only clue I have as to my theory is having watched the Wurlitzer Factory promotional movie showing the conception, production of the 1100, there is a scene where you see a fella putting a stack together, very fast I might add and I don't see him reaching for any lube.... Am I wrong on this?

FYI, I have lightly lubed such a mechanism in the past with said 20 wt. oil, never had a problem and I've dis-assembled several stacks and every time, I see gunked up residue of old oil & dirt.

Can someone please chime in, I've a stack of trays waiting for me!

Cheers, Steve

[retrophono]

Just a quick correction, the washers are not copper, (magnet sticks), but a copper looking alloy....

[Ron Rich]

Hi Steve,
I have NEVER re-assembled this stack, but I have seen a few apart-- After cleaning, I would try a "dry" lube--A SMALL amount of Graphite powder comes to mind here ??

[juke46]

I have always lubed them on the 24 select mechanisms by Wurlitzer.  I believe those washers are actually copper plated.  I've never experienced a sticking tray or such.  The real reason, I lube em, was because many years ago there was a Wurlitzer guy here in Phoenix.  He worked everywhere through WWII keeping America's war spirit up and those jukeboxes playing.  He was a crabby/funny old guy who taught me a lot.  Sure miss ya Bill!  He rebuilt many mechanisms including 5or 6 for me.  My 1015 mechanism was rebuilt by him in 1981 as was a W-750 and they still function well.  He insisted the trays need to be lubed.  I really dunno!  When I lube the mechs I try to pull the trays in and out and add a few drops of, now, synthetic motor oil on each wear surface.  So far so good!

[robnyc]

Mar 26, 2017 19:42:05 GMT juke46 said:

  He was a crabby/funny old guy who taught me a lot.  Sure miss ya Bill! 

Why is it that so many of these guys  all exhibit the same traits :-)  They also all seem to have names like Bill-Herman-George or Tony. I knew several of each down on Tenth Ave. They also  smoked, which killed them all before there times.

Regarding oiling; when I saw those old simplex mechs being readied for home customers, 3in1 spray was 'carefully" applied to the pivots in the stack. One thing to remember about whether to oil, once you start doing it, it becomes "policy" since the oil will attract and retain a bit more dust which after the oil dries, will make motion more difficult than if no oil were used. In general, I recommend oil on these sorts of friction surfaces.  78 RPM machines are a bit before my area of interest, so take my opinion here as just observation -not experience.

Rob-NYC

[Startgroove]

I've dis-assembled and re-assembled many 12, 16 and 24 selection Wurlitzers. Occasionally, the old lubricant was so hard that a few trays would not swing out at all, or they would swing out with a stutter. After cleaning and polishing, I lubricate with Marvel oil, or transmission fluid. A small amount applied with a spout oiler, or a small brush is all that is needed, upon assembly at each tray pivot point.

Sometimes, I've found that the copper plating on the washers was worn completely through to the ferrous metal core. That sometimes causes a little vertical slack at the tray pivot, so to be safe, I've replaced the washers. I assume that wear was caused by a combination of things like, dirty environment, lack of regular lubrication or a lot of use. In those old Wurlitzers you can never lubricate too much or too often.