If you have a music box that isn’t playing properly, you don’t necessarily need to bring it to a specialist for repair. There are some simple repairs you can make on your own, as William Koosman, president of Koosman Enterprises Incorporated (also known as Music Box Maker), demonstrates in this tutorial.
First, Koosman explains that a music box can become “over round” (i.e. the spring inside the box is wound too tight) and consequently stop playing. To fix this problem, he uses the example of a little Swiss-made wooden music box with a mountain scene on the front and a Rouge tune label on the back.
The first step is to remove the winding key. There are two screws holding it in place, which can be removed with a small screwdriver. Koosman recommends using a white towel on the bottom to catch any small pieces that may fall out during the repair process.
Once the key is removed, you can access the movement inside the box. Look for the little on/off plunger, which may be stuck due to dust or other debris. You can try tapping the box to get the plunger moving again, but in this case, Koosman needs to lubricate the spindle.
To do this, he dips a toothpick in WD-40 and applies one tiny drop to the spot where the spindle touches the base plate. He repeats this process at the top edge of the spindle where it meets the top of the bracket. It’s important to use WD-40 instead of oil, which can slow the mechanism down.
After applying the lubricant, Koosman tests the music box again and finds that it’s playing at the correct speed. He notes that these are usually the only two points that need attention if your music box becomes sluggish or overwhelmed.
By following these simple steps, you can learn how to repair your own music box and enjoy its beautiful melodies once again.