Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

[Guest]

I went to an auction where one of the lots was from some sort church furniture supply place. There was an M-102 that looked brand new. There wasn't even so much as a tiny scuff on the pedals. The auctioneer said "is any body interested in this old organ or should I move on?". When he left out the word "hammond" and made it sound like he didn't think anyone would want it, I knew I would luck out.Nobody else even bid on it and I got it for $25. I paid a guy $30 to deliver it.</P>


Anyhoo... From what I've read here the hasn't been used part is probably a curse as well as I blessing. It has no back and was a little dusty, certainly not 40 years dusty. I carefully checked all the sodered points and tubes for loosenes and carefully removed most of the dust. When I turn on the run switch all the tubes lit up. When I lift the start switch I hear the amp hum a little andwhat sounds like a chain drive running. When I release the switch all sound stops and I get no sound when I hit any keys. The only indication of oiling is oiled 8-66 written in marker on the tonewheel cover. I assume that was the delivery date.</P>


So, where do I start? If you have pictures of what part you're talking about please post them cuz I'm a noob and I probably won't know what you're talking about[:$]</P>


Thanks!</P>

[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

Sounds like you are doing things right. You may not have the run motor engaged properly. Reread the directions for starting a hammond found in this forum or elsewhere on the net. Also, buy some hammond oil (Ebay is a good source) and pour some into the cups on the top of the tonewheel generator. Let that soak in for hours or even days. The generator should sound like a purring machine, not a screeching banchee.

[Hammond101]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?



Hammond Wiki is a good source of info on Hammond maintenence. Google it, you will find many helpful pages.</P>


Your M102 will definately need oil. Order only Hammod oil, do not use a substitute. If you remove the generator cover, you will see two small funnelson top of the tonewheel generator.Fill them twice. On the left end of the generator is the run motor and vibrato scanner. On top of the run motor is an oil cup with a sponge with wicks wound around it, add only enough oil to get the sponge very moist. It should not puddle.</P>


The generator will most likely need a few days to a couple of weeks to free up. Be patient. There are dozens of wicks that must saturate with oil and work it down to the bushings to free things up.Also oil the start motor diectly on its bushings as well as the gear it engages. The start motor in on theright end on the generator. You can gently spin the Generator by hand from the flywheel to speed up the process a little. Turn the top of the flywheel toward the front of the console.</P>


To start a tonewheel Hammond: Raise the start switch for about eight secoonds. You should hear the start motor engage and the TWG start spinning then speed stablize. While holding the start switch on now engage the run switch. Continue holding the start switch for about four seconds then allow the start swich to return to its off position. If everything is properly lubed up the run motor will now carry the running load and the TWG will run smoothly. If it squeels shut it down, the oil has not done its job yet. The run switch also turns on the power to the amplifier. Hammonds of this vintage are built like tanks, I'm sure it will make a complete recovery. (then you can test all the electronics, haha) M100s are my farorite Hammond spinets. </P>


Welcome, conrats and good luck,</P>


H101</P>


PS: Keep the M102 in a warm place, this will help the oil wick down the treads. It could take a month in a cold garage this time of year.</P>
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[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?



Thanks. </p>

I heard nothing when I raised the run switch. It was on for close to a minute while I checked out the tubes. I won't touch it again until after it has had oil for a few days. It's already found a home as the centerpiece of the living room. I live in Cleveland and the garage would be below freezing every night this week !
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[Hammond101]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?



I hear you. I grew up in Cleveland. Winter sucks!</P>


H101</P>

[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

Cool !
I can top that though, I'm sure you've heard the Cleveland weathermen mention the town I grew up in, Chardon ! The undisputed capital of the Great Lakes snow machine !

[Hammond101]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

I was a west side guy, Berea. Kinda sounds like a social disease. Maybe it was! I ended up in Southern California with a job transfer, one of many, and I aint leavin'.

[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

I'm a transplanted West sider now. BTW got the M-102 going with a hairdryer ! This is according to a guy that asked a repair shop. When they've been sitting long enough to go dry and the oil and wait thing doesn't work, take off the TWG cover and heat up the motors for about 15 minutes. It will unstick the parts and get the oil flowing.

[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?



I brought an M-101 home a week ago. Apparently I'm the 3rd owner and it's only in its 4th home in something like 45 years. I'm also fighting what appears to be a dry bearing problem. It starts up fine, although noisy...which it didn't do when I first tried to fire it up. But one (or maybe 2) of the tone generator bushings is squealing like a stuck pig. I think the main offender is in the run motor. It seems to start making noise as the clutch gets the run motor going.
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I've been oiling it and it seems to be making a bit of progress. It ran quietly (oh, that was heaven!) for about 5 minutes today before the howl started up. I'm taking this as a good omen. It's really hard to be patient when I really want to start playin it...but so far I've resisted the urge...well, except for a couple of minutes the other day.</p>


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[Guest]

Re: Found an M-102 that had been in storage, what do I need to do?

[quote user="xDave"]


Thanks. </P>


I heard nothing when I raised the run switch. It was on for close to a minute while I checked out the tubes. I won't touch it again until after it has had oil for a few days. It's already found a home as the centerpiece of the living room. I live in Cleveland and the garage would be below freezing every night this week !
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I have an M101, same thing basically - sadly mine is out in the driveshed as no one wants it and I've no room. You must hold the start switch on until that baby is up to speed, then flip up the run switch, you will hear it kick in, then release the start switch. Don't play it for another minute or so - I always let it warm up. Starting a Hammond is a bit like a Stanley Steamer - it is a process. It will become second nature eventually. Sometimes I get the urge to run an extension cord out to the shed and fire mine up..but I never do as I've got two organs already plugged in in the house...</P>