Hi!  In response to Bill Chapman's query about why his Regina is
slowing down during play [170224 MMDigest], there could be a few
reasons:

1) The poor mechanism hasn't been oiled in ages!  Depending on the
model, you might be able to get to the governor assembly without
removing the entire mechanism.  If it's a later date [or] long play
motor, take off the front soundboard and you should be able to see
and get to the governor.

The primary places to oil (using a _heavy_ clock oil, not "3-in-1")
are where the worm and worm gear meet and each end of the pivot of the
worm.  (The worm is the shaft the fan blades are on.)  The secondary
places to oil are the other bushings (holes) that the other gears ride
in.  Without taking the mechanism out you won't be able to reach one
side of the governor assembly to properly oil the bushings.

2) The jewel (that you can't see) imbedded in the framework or at the
bottom of the worm pivot could have a crack, gouge or flat spot on it.
Solution: replace the jewel.

3) The pivot that hits the worm could have a flat 'head' on it.
Solution: reshape the head and polish it.

4) The leaves of the spring are more than likely trying to work
under _no_ grease.  Over the course of 100+ years the grease that
was originally on the spring has dried up.  This forms flat clumps
of dead grease that inhibits the smooth sliding of the spring.
Solution: pull & clean & re-grease the spring.  The spring might also
have one or more 'dead spots' in it where it was improperly tempered.
Solution: install a new spring.

5) A remote possibility is that some of the star wheels could be
binding.  Solution: try running a bead of oil along the top of the
wheels and then playing a few discs to distribute the oil.

With the exception of #1 above the other factors should not be done by
someone who doesn't know just what they're doing.

Of course, the proper way to get _everything_ above done is to have
the mechanism fully restored.  If you go that route, be sure to make
sure that the person doing it is going to actually pull and clean the
spring, not just pack it with grease and hope it will distribute
itself.

Feel free to call or post or email if you have any other questions!

Nancy Fratti - Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
Canastota, New York, USA
http://www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com/