On 2024/04/28 11:14 a.m., Hans Minderman via Jukebox-list wrote:
Does anyone have any tips for mounting a new fiber gear on the main axle of a wurlitzer 61? The new replacement gears which are available through Victory Glass will be a tight fit and judging from the old (worn) gear that I just removed these things look to be brittle. Can these fiber gears be heated to let them expand a bit for an easier fit? Also, I saved the 3 copper rivets for the old gear, should I use those to fasten the gear once it is seated properly on the axle or are there other alternatives? Any tips from those of you have have gone over this procedure before are much appreciated! -Hans
I'm working on a 61 and didn't know a new gear was available (I was thinking of making one if needed using my CNC machine) - however my gear was OK. I did have to remove the gear to repair the pin that slides in the tube though (silver soldered a new one - writing a story on that for Flippers.com) - and now I am putting it back and taking some bronze rivets I just bought and plan to turn on my lath to get them to be a good fit. The gear is a press fit on the shaft knurled area.
It should be just loose enough to be a gentle push down the shaft until it reaches the knurled section then I use a vise to squeeze a socket that fit over the gear and the other shaft end so I could squeeze it into place. Photos to come on my web page. If someone nags me I'll post the photos and write the story later.
The gear isn't brittle in a particularly fragile way, but the teeth can be chipped. It is laminated fibres - just like the 24 main gear, very tough!
Of course you MUST have metal alignment rods through the holes in the gear so it is correct to the rivet holes when compressed into place. I assume the gear came with the three rivet holes already present - the bevel side must be visible when assembled.
John :-#)#