what is the best way to enlarge a record hole that won't fit on tt spindle?

pglbook
pglbook Posts: 2,222
edited May 2014 in Electronics
I recently have bought a few used records that won't fit comfortably on my turntable spindle.
What is the best way to enlarge the record hole so it will fit on my tt?

Has anyone else had this problem?

I have a Thorens TD 160 turntable and I have read online that vintage Thorens turntables used a spindle that was a little thicker than the spindels of other turntables. Luckily it has not happened too often but there are a 3 or 4 records I have bought in the past 6 months that are too tight to fit comfortably on the spindle.

Thanks.
Post edited by pglbook on
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Comments

  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2014
    I would think the only way to do it would be with a drill. Just be real, real careful because if that hole is too large the record won't be stable. Maybe test with a piece of wood first.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2014
    Round rasp. Use a twisting motion to gently enlarge the hole. If you can, hold it upside down so any shavings fall clear of the record.

    124403.jpg
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2014
    A " rat tail file" graduated in size over its length will work fine just be gentle.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited May 2014
    Thanks for the feedback! I look forward to being able play the few records that wouldn't fit over the tt spindle.

    It's funny that most records I bought (used or new) were fine but a few were too tight. You would think there would be a uniform size hole for vinyl records but obviously that is not the case.

    Thanks again. I appreciate it.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited May 2014
    Dynamite....
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited May 2014
    scrape off or file the spindle until it's thinner... :wink
    It'll fit all records after that.

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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited May 2014
    Interesting thread.cant say ive ever seen that happen. Hope that fixes the issue
    ..
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited May 2014
    Measure the spindle a and buy a reamer.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited May 2014
    Buy the cd version...no holes.
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  • deafbykhorns
    deafbykhorns Posts: 150
    edited May 2014
    7mm drill bit
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited May 2014
    This thread reminds me of the "air-hole" thread.
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited May 2014
    a little dab of K -Y has helped spindles fit the hole for years.
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited May 2014
    An old # 2 pencil did the trick! Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

    Thanks again for all the feedback.
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited May 2014
    Audioquest makes a spindle drill (by hand) to use to make holes larger.
    [
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    edited May 2014
    get a stepped drill bit, they are made to enlarge existing holes.

    http://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/drill-bits/unibit-step-drills

    something similar to these, the second one looks about right.
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    edited May 2014
    seabeerob213 wrote: »
    get a stepped drill bit, they are made to enlarge existing holes.

    http://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/drill-bits/unibit-step-drills

    something similar to these, the second one looks about right.

    third if you need metric, which i believe you did.
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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