Hello Melinda, your message (MMD 981028):

> I picked up a Thorens 36-note music box at a antique store Saturday;
> they practically gave it to me ($25).  It doesn't work, locked up that
> is.  I had a book that told me step by step how to clean parts, etc.
>
> I was wondering if anyone knew what I should do and how to go about it.
> It is not wound too tight, it just seems to be stuck.  The stop pin was
> a little bent and was jammed against the end of the cylinder; I'm not
> sure that had anything to do with it.

I have a lot of Thorens movements, from 12- to 50-notes, in my
collection.  Maybe I can help you.

First of all, be careful when you are repairing the movement.  The
spring should be unwound completely, otherwise and it can destroy a lot
(you should wear glasses to protect your eyes).  The dampers under the
tips of the teeth can break very easy.  Also pins and teeth don't
forgive at all.

Before mending it, I would clean it with a dry soft brush.  Put a few
drops of clock-maker's oil onto the bearing parts of the movement (the
speed regulator needs oil, for example).  Only a little bit, not too
much oil.  Small movements don't like oil on the teeth (tips), because
the frequency of the teeth can change in that case.  Afterwards it can
sound not very nice.

Movements with 2 or 3 tunes -- those with a moveable cylinder -- need
oil on the cylinder arbor.  Therefor turn the cylinder to the end of a
tune (no pin should have contact with a tooth), oil it and then shift
the cylinder sideways a few times.

In most cases a movement will run after a treatment like that.  If
not, you should examine it.  Many reasons can be behind it, so many
that I can't give you a simple solution.

Regards

Hauke Marxsen