Hi everyone!  I'm a new reader to this site.  My name is Mary Anderson.
I live in Kansas City -- yes, the home of Oz and the best bar-b-que
you've ever had!

Well, I've got a problem.  Help!  About five years ago I naively
purchased a wonderful music box at a flea market.  It has 20 metal
discs which measure 15-1/2" in diameter.  Each disc is titled in
German.  Also on the bottom of the discs it says "made in Germany".

On the discs, it says Symphonion and then the title of the selection.
The box works for all selections and appears to be in great shape.
I have done a preliminary cleaning -- sprayed with WD40 and oiled --
but have not taken any gears apart.

The reason I am writing is that I would like to clean the works and
make sure it is working in optimal condition.  So far, I have ventured
to remove the sound box cover and expose the innards.  To my surprise,
it appears that this box has two flywheels or governors.

My questions are:

1) How does one approach cleaning an antique music box?

2) Please help explain the innards of a disc music box.

From looking at the mechanisms as it runs, it appears that when you
crank the box it winds the spring.  Then when you release the crank it
begins to turn the disc.  It has a flywheel(?) which has a cymbal type
component that when I adjust a lever will increase or decrease the
speed of the disc revolutions.  The box sounds great -- all teeth on
the combs are present and it runs for 14 minutes with a full crank.

My concern is this:  There is a second "flywheel-governor" that is
prevented from turning by a wire.  If I release the wire, the entire
housing of the spring casement will rotate.  If I don't move this wire,
just the disc rotates and plays.  There is no difference in the play
time between having the first or the second flywheel moving freely.
Why are there two?

Could you tell me the difference between a flywheel and a governor?
Are there any texts relating to the mechanical works of a "Symphonion"
music box?  How does one approach the cleaning of an antique disc music
box?  Please don't tell me to use gasoline -- I won't (I have been
through a fire...).

My box works beautifully but I feel like I should bring it to the 90's.
I have a friend who is recommending graphite for the spring packing --
is this OK?

Please understand I am absolutely green in restoring this wonderful
box.  Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to whom ever is out there to help!  I can be reached at
<marysannaanderson@yahoo.com>.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Bye, Mary Anderson