My Record Cleaning Machine

ckphoto

Here is my attempt at a RCM, I used a old coffee table because I did not want a box sitting in my room or having to store it in a closet. I am not completely finished next weekend I will install sliding doors to hide the vac and supplies. I also need to get a bearing and platter from a direct drive TT so I can install my motor at the moment I am hand powered. Overall I am very happy I am getting excellent results using 3 parts distilled water, 1 part alcohol and a drop of dawn.

danger boy

very cool... you must have saved yourself about 2K by building it yourself. that's great man.

Toolfan66

NICE!! What are you using for the vac? and pick up tube? do share..

ckphoto

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

NICE!! What are you using for the vac? and pick up tube? do share..

This is the vac I am using very small with great suction http://www.amazon.com/Shop-HangUp-Mini-Wet%252f-Vacuum/dp/B0001FFM3O

The black tube coming through the table is actually the end of the supplied vacuum hose I then used a 1/2" PVC elbow which fits in the vacuum hose with a great seal and still allows me to swivel it onto the record. The pick up tube is 1/2" PVC with a end cap I cut a V in the end cap so it sits flush on the record I then cut a 1/4 inch slit down the tube and wrapped in felt. I will take a photo later of the underside of the tube and post it tonight.

Toolfan66

Thanks i love DIY jobs, would like to see more pics i might just look into doing something like this. BIG SAVINGS!!! Your setup looks nice by the way.

thsmith

I use the same VAC for my RCM and it does a great job.

What are you using for the cleaning fluid?

Fongolio

Totally cool! Excellent DIY.

engtaz

Great work. Congrats

ben62670

Very cool. I need to get one built soon.

ckphoto

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I know I am new here and do not post that often but I am good at using the search feature and spend at least a 1/2 hour a day here reading. Before I joined here adding a turn table to my system never even crossed my mind now I listen to records every night and I am loving it.

ckphoto

thsmith wrote: »

I use the same VAC for my RCM and it does a great job.

What are you using for the cleaning fluid?

I have been using 3 parts distilled water, 1 part alcohol and a drop of dawn dish detergent. I found the recipe here in an old post I think it works excellent leaving no residue on the album.

thsmith

ckphoto wrote: »

I have been using 3 parts distilled water, 1 part alcohol and a drop of dawn dish detergent. I found the recipe here in an old post I think it works excellent leaving no residue on the album.

Yep that works pretty good. I bought a pint of Triton X-114 to replace Dawn. It seems work well too.

schwarcw

:)You get an "A" for effort! It looks great. Tell me a couple of things about it's operation please

Is the turntable motorized or do you spin it manually>

How do you keep the vacuum tube from lifting the record off of the platter? Weight? lock mechanism?

How fast does it spin?

Where does the fluid go?

What material are you using to contact the surface of the record?

Do you prescrub with a brush? What type?

Sorry for the fifty questions;)

It looks real nice contracts on your innovative thinking!:)

ckphoto

schwarcw wrote: »

:)You get an "A" for effort! It looks great. Tell me a couple of things about it's operation please

Is the turntable motorized or do you spin it manually>


How do you keep the vacuum tube from lifting the record off of the platter? Weight? lock mechanism?

How fast does it spin?

Where does the fluid go?

What material are you using to contact the surface of the record?

Do you prescrub with a brush? What type?

Sorry for the fifty questions;)

It looks real nice contracts on your innovative thinking!:)

At The moment it spins manually I puled the bearing from a belt drive TT.
I will be changing it to a motorized platter as soon as I get a direct drive TT to scavenge. I am watching a few on ebay so hopefully in the next week or so.

I do not own a record weight and had trouble coming up with a clamp so I made the pick up wand overlap the label about a 1/2". I then put a double layer of felt on the underside where it contacts the label so it keeps light pressure on the center of the record. I also extended the vacuum slot off the record slightly to improve airflow. It has good contact and removes the fluids completely in 2 to 3 spins without pulling the record off the platter.

Spins as fast as my hand wants

Fluids go into the canister of the mini shop vac.

I am using black felt with a self adhesive backing $.94 for a 8x10 sheet at the craft store.

The brushes I use are from my photo lab they are made from camel hair and seem to do a good job. I do plan on getting the disc doctor record brush.

amulford

Excellent job. I like it. I will have to bookmark this one.

fast1

may i ask where did you learn to do this by yourself?