Linn Akito repair

[Deleted User]

Hello,
When I was installing a Linn Akito tonearm I noticed that there were several hairline cracks around the support area for the cueing cylinder. If I tightened the set screw that held the cueing mechanism in place the plastic surround the insert would pull away from where it had to be. The first thing I did was attach a small metal piece to the bottom of the support to stabilize the pieces. Then for the area right where the set screw mechanism was I made a curved piece of brass out of a section of 3/4" diameter brass tube that fit around the outside of the support. I epoxied it in place and polished up the brass surface since the mating turntable has a brass record weight I thought the brass on the arm would look nice.
Cheers, Ken

F1nut

Nice work Ken.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, Jesse, it looks like I'll have to do the same thing to the complete support collar where the vertical tube meets the plastic section that holds the arm support. As I was looking at the area I'd just fixed under a magnifying glass I saw hair-line cracks on both sides. I've put some epoxy in the cracks with an X-acto blade, but I'd like a more strengthening approach. I have some brass on order. This could have been the result of the arm being stored in a cold environment with metal and plastic expanding at different rates. The complete arm rest support and anti-skating mechanism is a single plastic cast with some kind of faux metallic finish to match the metal of the arm and pivot housing.

F1nut

Sometimes you have to get crafty. :cool:

SCompRacer

Nice innovative repair Ken! Looks like a Flitz polish job. I love that stuff. Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish comes in handy too; I've polished aluminum computer case interiors with it.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, guys! The epoxy treatment seems to have stabilized the hairline cracks at the tonearm support, but I'm not satisfied. Every time the arm would be put on the rest the downward force would stress them. I'm going to fit another piece of brass on this area.
Yes, lots of Flitz gets used, I was using it to take off some grunge from a tapedeck chassis this morning. I'll have to try some Mothers Mag and Aluminum sometime.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
I've got the second piece of brass installed on the arm. I used a section of 1.25" diameter brass tube that I cut and bonded to the arm's support collar, then polished it and coated with Minwax clear lacquer. Now to order the Shure cartridge and complete the Thorens job.
Enjoy, Ken

doctor r

Nothing like a repair with understated "bling". Beautiful work Ken.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, doctor r,
The turntable has a lead filled brass record weight (that has some interesting Polk lore attached to it) so the brass on the arm should compliment it. I think this arm was actually made by Audio Technica, it has their emblem on the sides of the pivot area. The triangle with a horizontal line below.
Cheers, Ken

SCompRacer

Very nice Ken! Now the arm has accents.

I need to laquer my Lenco platter. I had removed the old yellowed laquer and polished the platter. Without a clear finish, it requires yearly maintenance. I tried some spray clear and it wasn't very durable.