Marchant Figuremaster needs to be repaired to working order

[steven wolpow]

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum.   I recently purchased a Marchant Figuremaster Calculating Machine, Model G-8EFA for nostalgia, since my dad used it back in the 50's and 60's and I used it alongside him back then.  It is need of repair, when plug it in, it makes a loud machine noise, but that's really  about as far as I have gotten with it and I am not mechanically inclined to attempt to repair it.  I was wondering if someone refer me to someone  who is very capable of repairing these machines back to working order.

[Piotr Jachymczyk]

Well, the only thing you could do for now is to soak whole machine in solvent. The reason for noise is most probably safety clutch which protects the motor from stalling and that means the rest of the machine is glued together with old grease and oil. If you manage to flush it out and dissolve it, the machine should more or less be operative again. Could you post some pictures of the mechanism? I would tell you where to remove screws to oil the main geartrain which stucks the most. You would also have to flush it out with solvent and then inject some fresh light oil. 

All the best, 

Piotr

[steven wolpow]

Thank you for getting back to me.  I don't feel comfortable taking the machine apart on my own.

[Piotr Jachymczyk]

Actually it's the simplest thing to do in those new grenish Marchants. There are four screws on the bottom and that's all, the rest of the case can be removed part by part. I think John Wolff on his website has the process described in detail. 

I think you should believe in yourself and at least try. I can give you plenty of tips and I am sure someone else could help too. I am located far away - in Poland, so that's the only way I can help. 

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[steven wolpow]

Attached is a photo of the machine

[alan-uk]

Unfortunately you have chosen one of the most complicated mechanical adding machines there is.  The problem is likely to be caused by the old oil turning stiff and locking up various parts but there is no simple fix other than going over it all looking for parts which are not free and getting them moving again.  I suspect your only real option will be to attempt it yourself as if you could find someone to attempt it for you they would have to charge you a fortune as it would take many, many hours of work.
BTW - Only attempt it if you are comfortable working with mains electricity as there is a lot of exposed live parts etc. inside although you can make a tool to operate it manually whilst working on it.

You can see more info on these machines here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-jKFTXgPrY
http://www.johnwolff.id.au/calculators/Tech/MarchantDRX/Intro.htm#Contents
http://www.johnwolff.id.au/calculators/Marchant/Marchant.htm