How to Fix a Broken Music Box
- Button Starter. If a button starter of your music box does not play the music, there may be a problem with the distance between the metal plate and the starter ...
- Wire Starter. This music box plays if you open the lid. ...
- Pin Starter. ...
- String Pull Starter. ...
Full Answer
How do you fix an overwound Music Box?
- Buy the appropriate lubricant – Get an Alum-a-Lub at the nearest hardware store, or you can purchase it online. ...
- Lubricate the mechanism – Locate an entry point to access the mechanism. ...
- Unwinding – Slowly turn the key in a backward direction to unwind the mechanism spring and release the governor. ...
How to fix an overwound Music Box?
Repair an over-wound music box by applying a lubricant, and carefully freeing the governor. This allows the mechanism to turn. This task requires a special cleaner and lubricant, such as Alum-a-Lub. Obtain the correct lubricant. Purchase Alum-a-Lub at either a local hardware store or through the Alumalub website.
How to repair a Reuge music box?
How to Fix a Broken Music Box
- Button Starter. If a button starter of your music box does not play the music, there may be a problem with the distance between the metal plate and the starter ...
- Wire Starter. This music box plays if you open the lid. ...
- Pin Starter. ...
- String Pull Starter. ...
How to repair a snow globe Music Box?
Things You'll Need
- Work gloves
- Garbage can or bucket
- Mild soap
- Water
- Clean soft rag
- Soft cloth
- Waterproof glue or epoxy
- Distilled water
- Glycerin
- Fake snow, mica or glitter
Can a music box be repaired?
Cases can be repaired by any competent local woodworker. Because your music box is at heart a fine musical instrument, the integrity of the case is directly related to the volume.
How do you unwind an overwound music box?
No parts specified.Step 1 How to Fix an Overwound Music Box. ... Gently wipe the mechanism with a cloth to get rid of any settled dust particles. ... Slowly turn the winding key in the opposite direction to release the tension built-up in the spring. ... Tap the base of the mechanism a few times to release the governor assembly.More items...
How do you fix a wound up music box?
1:343:54Part 2 - How to Repair or Restart an "over wound" music box movement ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can just try to get it started by giving the fan a little bit of help. In this case it'sMoreAnd you can just try to get it started by giving the fan a little bit of help. In this case it's starting to go but it looks like it might need a little bit of lubricant.
How does a music box mechanism work?
A music box works by rotating a metal cylinder with protruding pins that pluck the individual prongs of a steel comb. The sounds that resonate from the vibrating prongs are the notes we hear—lower notes from longer prongs and higher notes from shorter ones.
What is the inside of a music box called?
the movementThe inside of the musical box is called the movement. Normally made of steel and where sound is being produced. Strips of protruding metal on the comb is called the teeth. The revolving part of the movement where the tunes are imprinted on using metal pins.
How do you fix a snow globe music box?
3:3432:46Fix A Music Box (Snow Globe) Mechanism Movement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I discovered was that this base piece it holds the music box in here is actually put out with aMoreWhat I discovered was that this base piece it holds the music box in here is actually put out with a very light adhesive.
How do you oil a music box mechanism?
Feed the bushings and moving parts a heavy weight clock oil like castor oil. Use a stem grease on the governor worm. WD40 and 3-in-1 oil are contraindicated: stay away from them. The pins on your cylinder will digest the notes more easily if you lubricate them, too.
How do you make a music box comb?
0:595:03How to make Cylinder Music Boxes {www downloadshiva com} - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey bake the combs over flames. And then plunge them into a cool oil to create a thermal shock thatMoreThey bake the combs over flames. And then plunge them into a cool oil to create a thermal shock that hardens the steel. With a flat tool they direct melted lead into a mold positioned under the comb.
How does a music box spring work?
2:338:02How a Wind Up Music Box Works - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen the spring unwinds the axle turns in the opposite direction and the six tooth is the Paul'sMoreWhen the spring unwinds the axle turns in the opposite direction and the six tooth is the Paul's which rotates the larger plastic gear with it this rotation drives.
How do hole punched music boxes work?
With a DIY music box, you create the song yourself by punching holes into a long strip of paper using a punch tool. When you feed the paper into the music box, it plays the notes that match the locations of the holes. This allows you to play nearly any song with a single music box.
How do you date a music box?
According to Mr. Weiner, the method of winding is a clue to the date of a music box: if a key is used, the piece was made between 1840 and 1850; if an outside crank, between 1865 and 1870, and if a ratchet, after 1870.
What is the oldest music box?
1796: Antoine Favre-Salomon, a clock maker from Genève, Switzerland, patented the first cylinder musical box that utilizes a metal comb with tuned teeth to produce the music.
How to fix music box that is stuck?
Access the music box governor – The governor is the part of the mechanism that spins to even the song speed. Move the governor manually with your finger or cotton swab as it may just be a bit stuck. Doing this usually resolves the issue and restarts the music box.
When was the music box invented?
The music box was invented in 1796, and it is still present to this day. It's been existing far too long than we can remember. May the knowledge that we have imparted on how to fix a music box with an overwound key help get yours working again regardless if you own one antique collector's item or the cheapest one that we can get in a store.
Can a music box be mechanical?
As you may know, music boxes are mechanical. That means you have to work with its mechanism to fix it and play its tune again. And since the most common music box comes with a key that we wind to play the music, over wounding the key is a common problem. Here are the steps on how to fix a music box with an overwound key.
How long has Mr. Music Box been around?
Mr Music Box (Pen Name) as been invoved with music boxes for almost 30 years.
What happens when you push a button on a music box?
When a button is pushed on the box, a metal plate moves the starter mechanism, which releases a latch from the wheel of the cylinder in music boxes . This releases the air brake that allows the box to play.
What to do if your box doesn't play?
If the box does not play, make sure that the pin blocks the air brake and that when it is pulled, it releases the air brake. The pin should not be too long and if it is, it may need to be filed down. If it wont stop playing, then adjust the position of the movement and make sure that the pin is not too short. If it is, put some tape on the end to lengthen it.
Can you repair a music box?
Music boxes are wonderful gifts for someone you love, but like anything, they can break down and it is important that when you have a music box, you know how to repair it. Thankfully, many are easy to repair and all it takes is a basic knowledge of the inner-workings of music boxes and other types of musical gifts.
Can a music box break down?
Music boxes, sadly, can also break down. So, to maintain the music that may mean so much to the person who received the musical gift, it may be required that you begin to learn about repairing a music box.
Is music a gift?
Everyone loves music, everyone loves the gift of music and there isnt a person on the planet who will not appreciate the gift you have given them when you take the time to put it together for them. Two centuries after they began to be mass produced, it is still a gift that warms the hearts of millions.
How to unscrew a music box?
Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to unscrew the screws at the base of the music box.
Why does my music box fail?
This failure is caused because the music box mechanism gets jammed, and then, you are no longer able to enjoy its beautiful tunes. However, the music box that you have loved and cherished over the years can still be salvaged.
Can you salvage a music box?
However, the music box that you have loved and cherished over the years can still be salvaged. This guide will help restore your music box to mint condition with some easy-to-do steps that will assist the restoration of the mechanism.
Can a comb break?
Be extremely careful when cleaning the comb and the drum. The comb is delicate and can break when too much pressure is applied. The threads of the cloth can get stuck in the pins of the drum.
How to save an overwound mechanism?
Overwound mechanisms (key cannot be tightened further) can often be saved/restored by injecting some Alum-a-Lub, let the object sit for some time, and try to start the mechanism by turning the key backwards and/or by shaking or tapping the part where the mechanism is, mostly the bottom, to try to free the governor.
How to clean otagiri?
My first choice is to clean them with a soft cloth in warm, but not hot, water with dishwasher detergent. But be careful! On many objects the colors are painted on without a primer and can easily come off in contact with water and a cleaning action. Err on the safe side, better to have a dirty object than an object with some of the color washed away. This problem of colors washing off is often true for objects from countries other than Japan, specially Taiwan, from the seventies and eighties. Objects that are glazed over, as many of the Otagiri products are, do not have this problem and can be more easily cleaned and restored to an original state.
Can you use oil on a music mechanism?
To ‘oil’ music mechanisms I use Alum-a-Lub exclusively, an aerosol that is a lubricant, cleaner and protection all in one. Never use an oil, as that may clog up the mechanism over time. Alum-a-Lub may be found at your local hardware store, but if not call their phone # 1-800-369-0342 (leave your telephone number, they will call back) and ask for a local distributor/user or send them a check and they will UPS the article to you. Their web site with all information is: www.alumalub.com.
Can you clean a music box with a cloth?
The problem is that for best results you still have to use a cloth to rub the object and clean it and cannot do that in the cases it may rub off the colors. In general, cleaning is good, but to have a music box still fully colored is much better.
Do you need the same music mechanism for a music box?
For many music box enthusiasts, having the same music mechanism may not be that important and it may be more important to have a working mechanism. Many of the larger hobby shops (at least in the U.S.A.) stock new (Sankyo) music mechanisms and provided you get a similar one (holes to match, etc.) you can just install them in the same way as ...