My late friend and MBSI colleague Ralph Heintz used to say that he
could have gotten rich replacing the split plastic gears on Thorens
music boxes. The problem is that the gears were force-fitted onto
their shafts, and fitted so tightly that every one eventually splits,
as John Frech's gears have split.
Reuge, as most people in the field know, took over many Thorens
parts and designs after Thorens went out of business. Replacement
gears, hopefully of metal rather than plastic, may be obtainable
from a repairman doing Reuge work. Two such persons, both in Rancho
Palos Verdes, Calif., are Tony Ciuffini (tciuffini@cox.net or
info@musiboxdoctor.com) and Don Caine (mbrcu@aol.com).
Also, as always, it is worth scanning the MMD Archives subject
index for information on the subject of Thorens gears. In one (old)
message Don Caine mentions prices and part number.
Matthew Caulfield
Irondequoit, New York
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