Record Clamps/Weights
ZLTFUL
Posts: 5,648
So I am looking to gauge interest.
How many of you use record clamps or weights?
I have a friend that owns a machine shop that specializes in CNC Lathe milling and high tolerance CNC milling.
They work with most common materials...304 Stainless, 6061 Aluminum, Copper, Brass...as well as some exotics. Tungsten, Titanium, Magnesium, etc.
We have joined forces to come up with a few designs for some simple record weights.
He wants to make them and sell them but wants to see if there is enough interest in them to start cutting metal.
Bear in mind that there is no pricing established but some examples would be based on current bar stock pricing.
2 3/4" 304 Stainless is about $95/foot atm. And he thinks he can safely cut 4 weights from 1 foot.
3" Stainless is about $120/foot. Same yield.
With milling, he thinks in the neighborhood of $100 each for stainless. Between labor time, set up, etc along with wear and tear on bits/blades.
This would obviously go down based on volume as the price of materials goes down as quantity increases.
2 3/4" 6061 Aluminum is about $40/ft atm. Yield is the same but they weigh significantly less than stainless so would most likely need to be made into clamps with a rubber spindle insert.
3" is almost identical.
Brass and Copper might be cost prohibitive as they are around $300/ft each for 2 3/4" and 3".
Titanium and Tungsten haven't been priced yet but they would be 2 piece items. The outer or shell would be the exotic metal with the core being a denser/heavier metal.
These are possibly out due to cost estimates but if enough volume in the other materials is attained, it may become feasible.
There are a few designs. Pretty simple tapered cone with a cylindrical top.
Stepped cylinder.
Stepped cylinder with a "handle".
The more complex the design, the higher the cost...the simpler, the lower.
The initial run is going to be the basic designs found on a few vinyl websites.
So anyone interested? He isn't looking to make a fortune on these...just something else that they can do to add to the firm's repetoire.
How many of you use record clamps or weights?
I have a friend that owns a machine shop that specializes in CNC Lathe milling and high tolerance CNC milling.
They work with most common materials...304 Stainless, 6061 Aluminum, Copper, Brass...as well as some exotics. Tungsten, Titanium, Magnesium, etc.
We have joined forces to come up with a few designs for some simple record weights.
He wants to make them and sell them but wants to see if there is enough interest in them to start cutting metal.
Bear in mind that there is no pricing established but some examples would be based on current bar stock pricing.
2 3/4" 304 Stainless is about $95/foot atm. And he thinks he can safely cut 4 weights from 1 foot.
3" Stainless is about $120/foot. Same yield.
With milling, he thinks in the neighborhood of $100 each for stainless. Between labor time, set up, etc along with wear and tear on bits/blades.
This would obviously go down based on volume as the price of materials goes down as quantity increases.
2 3/4" 6061 Aluminum is about $40/ft atm. Yield is the same but they weigh significantly less than stainless so would most likely need to be made into clamps with a rubber spindle insert.
3" is almost identical.
Brass and Copper might be cost prohibitive as they are around $300/ft each for 2 3/4" and 3".
Titanium and Tungsten haven't been priced yet but they would be 2 piece items. The outer or shell would be the exotic metal with the core being a denser/heavier metal.
These are possibly out due to cost estimates but if enough volume in the other materials is attained, it may become feasible.
There are a few designs. Pretty simple tapered cone with a cylindrical top.
Stepped cylinder.
Stepped cylinder with a "handle".
The more complex the design, the higher the cost...the simpler, the lower.
The initial run is going to be the basic designs found on a few vinyl websites.
So anyone interested? He isn't looking to make a fortune on these...just something else that they can do to add to the firm's repetoire.
"Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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I also work in a machine shop and was thinking the same thing but there's so many clamps and weights out there now that you'd have to come up with something that was different then all the rest. I also just bought a new mat that recommends that you don't use a clamp or weight with it as it is designed to decouple the record from the platter.
So I don't think it would take off unless it was something unique IMO.Anaheim Hills CA,
HT 5.1: Anthem MRX 720 / BDP-Denon DBT1713UD / Polkaudio LSiM703 / W4S mAmp's / Polkaudio LSiM706c / Polkaudio LSiM702F/X's / SVS PC12-NSD / Panasonic TC P55VT30
2 Channel: Rogue RP-5 / WireWorld Electra power cord / Marantz TT-15S1/ Ortofon - Quintet Black MC / Marantz NA8005 DAC / W4S mAmp's / Synology DS 216+ll-4TB / Polkaudio LSiM703 -
I have to assume it died out...
They make a nice difference. My buddy is contemplating talking to his father, who is a machinist, to see what it would cost him to make one or two. -
Doesn't take much to make one. Turn it, drill it, ream it and your done.
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I have 4 of diff. weights. The one most in use is the one that's 2 lb's
Because I am The Pumpkinking
A Kind Word Is An Easy Gift To Give -
Like Pumpkinman, I use several different weights and clamps ranging from 1 to 3.75 pounds. I think a 2 pound weight would be the most useful for most direct drive tables. Surprisingly enough you don't see hardly any made in the 2 pound range now that TT Weights is out of business. Most you see are either in the 1 pound range or closer to three. I have often thought that a 2 pound weight would be the perfect blend of enough weight for proper clamping\damping while not placing too much added stress on the main drive bearings like the heavier weight ones can do. I think you could fill a niche if you come up with something in the 2 pound range. I personally would be interested in one.
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He actually made a run of stainless weights. I got one and the rest were given to other audio friends. Honestly there wasn't much of a difference between these and the AT one I had already bought other than the custom milled one is gorgeous in comparison."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
My Pro-Ject actually has a screw clamp that does everything I need it to. However, I have been gently looking for a weight that would really look amazing. Something to make my table look even better.
Basically, purely cosmetic.2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A -
I have one made by TurnTable Lab.
Works well, weighs in at 1.65 pounds and comes in white, black and chrome. Plus it was only $50.
http://www.turntablelab.com/products/turntable-lab-record-weight-black -
He actually made a run of stainless weights. I got one and the rest were given to other audio friends. Honestly there wasn't much of a difference between these and the AT one I had already bought other than the custom milled one is gorgeous in comparison.
Take some pics man...
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
EndersShadow wrote: »
I would be happy to if it wasn't in a box somewhere in the storage room currently. Hehe.
I need to get the framing finished so I can get my office knocked out and get my 2 channel set back up."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
EndersShadow wrote: »
I would be happy to if it wasn't in a box somewhere in the storage room currently. Hehe.
I need to get the framing finished so I can get my office knocked out and get my 2 channel set back up.
Slacker
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
I prefer the clamps over the weights..
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However, I have been gently looking for a weight that would really look amazing. Something to make my table look even better.
Basically, purely cosmetic.
Then you need a TTWeight with periphery clamp! Pricey stuff but deals can be had with his Audiogon sales. EDIT: Looks like he is shutting down.
http://www.ttweights.com/usainternational-estore.html
My old Nottingham Space 294. Rob has it now but declined the periphery and 12" Moerch DP6 arm. The periphery clamp was kind of tricky to install with the 14" platter. There was a deep enough finger groove at edge of record that allowed the periphery to fit. For the record, my diy Lenco made it easy to sell the Space294.
Before adding heavy weights check with manufacturer to see if your platter bearing can take it. Weights and clamps success depends on how well the table keeps vibes out of the platter.
Post edited by SCompRacer onSalk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
I prefer the clamps over the weights..
Same here, I find the weights sound better on my tables. -
Yep, it's ashamed TTWeights went out of business. I use several of their weights, periphery rings, platter mats, and footers.
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And another periphery ring, this time with an Illuminati 1 lb. center weight.....
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I really liked some of the TT Weights stuff. I saw the announcement shortly after I embarked on this project. Late to the party again!I disabled signatures.
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Oops, looks like I got that reversed! :-) -
Meaning the center clamps, periphery rings/clamps, or both? I'm new to clamps/rings, and sometimes see these used interchangeably.I prefer the clamps over the weights..
So which one do you prefer best?
I disabled signatures. -
Are weights ok for belt drives?McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
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Are weights ok for belt drives?
I use a 1.65 pound weight on my belt driven table without issue.
From what I understand, because the weight is centrally located it does not add a lot of stress to the drive system. -
It is more that the bearings and suspension are sturdy enough for the extra weight.
My Kenwood is direct drive with no suspension to speak of so, the centrally located mass of a weight has almost zero effect on the bearings or the motor itself."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Meaning the center clamps, periphery rings/clamps, or both? I'm new to clamps/rings, and sometimes see these used interchangeably.I prefer the clamps over the weights..
So which one do you prefer best?
In actuality, I prefer the combo of a center weight with an outer periphery ring. With my two tables that I can actually use an outer ring, the combo of a center weight and outer periphery ring sounds the best. It really stabilizes the imaging and cleans up bass response.
My other two tables will not allow an outer periphery ring due to clearance issues. With these two tables I find a center clamp sounds the best because it does a better job of flattening the record against the platter provided a shim (I use a washer) is placed underneath the record at the center spindle. The use of the shim is very important with the clamp because without it, the clamp can actually make the outer edge bend upward away from the platter.
It's also very important when using a center clamp or weight to make sure its not making the outer edge of the record bend upwards away from the platter. Visually inspect the record edge after placing the clamp or weight. If it bends upwards away from the platter, either reduce the clamping force when using a clamp, or go to a lighter center weight if going with a weight.
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Are weights ok for belt drives?
In most cases yes. My lone belt drive table, a Harman Kardon T-60C, actually came with a 1lb center weight from the factory. Generally lighter weights (around 1lb. or lighter) are preferable with most belt drives unless you have a really beefy belt drive with a sturdy belt(s), motors, and spindle bearings. Like has been suggested elsewhere in this thread, if you have a currently manufactured table, check with the manufacturer to make sure use of a center weight and periphery ring if you want to go that route will be OK to use with your table.
If you are using a table that is vintage or not current, use your on judgement based on the construction integrity of the table or others experience with the table.
