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Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

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Old 14th Oct 2021, 5:58 pm   #1
Jetsonz
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Default Thorens TD 224

I've wanted a TD 224 for many years. I have a largeish collection of singles & 78's and thought that this would be the ideal player for them.
I finally found one coincidental with me having some disposable cash. It was sold as 'looks complete, motor works'. I took the plunge.
A couple of afternoons in the shed got it up & running. The major problems were caused by 2 levers unseated from their cam guides. The rest was the usual cleaning & lubrication.
I then had a very happy week watching this magical machine and incidentally listening to 78's & 45's.
Then it suddenly came to a standstill in the middle of a change cycle. Back in the shed it turned out that the top of the camshaft had sheared off - it has done a lot of work over it's 60:years.
I hoped that it would be a straightforward welding job - but would involve a major strip down to get the camshaft and cams out. It took me a few days to build up the nerve to tackle it. Fortunately there is a service manual on The Vinyl Engine. Nervously I stripped it down and took the shaft to a Blacksmith at the Yorkshire Coal Mining Museum. He repaired the broken shaft while I waited - I was very pleased.
I carefully put everything back together and, as expected, nothing worked. The service manual is quite clear - if anything is disturbed you have to work through a set of adjustments and recalibration. Which took about a week.
Thankfully it now works perfectly and I am again enjoying the entertainment.
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Old 14th Oct 2021, 6:24 pm   #2
Radio Wrangler
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetsonz View Post
took the shaft to a Blacksmith at the Yorkshire Coal Mining Museum. He repaired the broken shaft while I waited
Love it!

David
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Old 14th Oct 2021, 6:32 pm   #3
Jetsonz
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

You have to love kit that can be repaired by a Blacksmith.
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Old 15th Oct 2021, 9:57 am   #4
wd40addict
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

Well done! There are a number of parts on these that are complete unobtainium. How about some pictures?
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Old 15th Oct 2021, 12:59 pm   #5
Jetsonz
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

Here's a couple of pics. I couldn't get a video to load. Maybe the file was too big?
Please excuse the temporary legs - I need to build a plinth next.
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Last edited by Jetsonz; 15th Oct 2021 at 1:02 pm. Reason: Additional information.
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Old 15th Oct 2021, 2:44 pm   #6
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

Video is not supported by the forum software.

Cheers

Mike T
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Old 15th Oct 2021, 3:43 pm   #7
Uncle Bulgaria
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

That is a very funky object. Well done!
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Old 30th Nov 2021, 9:50 pm   #8
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

What a fabulous record deck. The grace of a TD135 with changer functionality.
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Old 1st Dec 2021, 1:55 pm   #9
Beobloke
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Default Re: Thorens TD 224

Fantastic job!

I've just acquired my second one - the first I bought from a gent on here but never did manage to find a replacement gear cam for the one that had sheared so, in the end, I sold it for spares.

My new one has been in storage for a few years but was allegedly fully working beforehand, so I shall attempt to wake it gently from its slumbers.

Fingers crossed...
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