DIY Record Cleaner with a Technics TT

Toolfan66

"OK"

Here is a list and my cost to do this...

1) TurnTable- I got 2 for $30 on craigs list, gave one to Ben, and just sold the Tonearm out of this one for $78 on ebay.
2) Vacuum- $19.99 at sears on sale..
3) PVC parts- $10 at Home Depot
4) Cabnet- $0
5) Paint- $0
6) Sound Barrier- (inside the cabnet) $0
7) Hinges - $6 Home Depot
8) Feet on the bottom $0
9) Lexan Cover $0

So really with selling the tonearm out of this one I have no money in this but my own time..


So should I have done this? or should I have got a VPI 16.5 RCM for $500?

I was going to buy the VPI but it was killing me to spend the $$ for one. I can look at it this way,the money I was going to spend on the VPI went to Blake for the Dodd equipment that will be here tomorrow.:)LOL

Just my way of justifing my purchase from Blake..

hearingimpared

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

"OK"

Here is a list and my cost to do this...

1) TurnTable- I got 2 for $30 on craigs list, gave one to Ben, and just sold the Tonearm out of this one for $78 on ebay.
2) Vacuum- $19.99 at sears on sale..
3) PVC parts- $10 at Home Depot
4) Cabnet- $0
5) Paint- $0
6) Sound Barrier- (inside the cabnet) $0
7) Hinges - $6 Home Depot
8) Feet on the bottom $0
9) Lexan Cover $0

So really with selling the tonearm out of this one I have no money in this but my own time..


So should I have done this? or should I have got a VPI 16.5 RCM for $500?

I was going to buy the VPI but it was killing me to spend the $$ for one. I can look at it this way,the money I was going to spend on the VPI went to Blake for the Dodd equipment that will be here tomorrow.:)LOL

Just my way of justifing my purchase from Blake..

Damn Sam, I wish I didn't have to pay the money I spent for my 16.5 after seeing what you've done. However I don't have the equipement or the know how. So $500+ spent here was the best I could do.:o

Toolfan66

hearingimpared wrote: »

Damn Sam, I wish I didn't have to pay the money I spent for my 16.5 after seeing what you've done. However I don't have the equipement or the know how. So $500+ spent here was the best I could do.:o

I bet your glad you did spend the money on it now though..;) Considering not everybody has the means to do a project like this I still think the VPI is worth the money in the end..

Fongolio

Sounds like another successful build in the "Monster Garage"!! Jesse, tell him what he's won!!..Jesse: "Ok, instead of the usual set of Mac tools, you get a night out with my wife, Academy award winning actress Sandra Bullock!!!".

ben62670

I'd rather have that than the VPI!

Toolfan66

Keiko wrote: »

Larry, what is that narrow piece of tubing between the vacuum hose and power cord?

It's a drain tube, Underneath the plater I siliconed so no moisture could get to the electronics, I also installed the tube just in case of a spill or any other accident that it would have a place to go, I plan to install a bottle on the back wall for the tube.

You can also see I am not using a mat, I found these little rubber stops at Home Depot and using them to support the vinyl.

Toolfan66

Fongolio wrote: »

Sounds like another successful build in the "Monster Garage"!! Jesse, tell him what he's won!!..Jesse: "Ok, instead of the usual set of Mac tools, you get a night out with my wife, Academy award winning actress Sandra Bullock!!!".

I will take that Prize...;)

Toolfan66

BIZILL wrote: »

when i get my **** fired Tool, i'm moving up to coloroddy and you're going to employ me. i got some manufacturing skills. consider this my application and my sda's are on my resume.

I see you have a 5802 on that resume as well.:cool:

Toolfan66

Keiko wrote: »

Gotcha. The 6 Ps. Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

I think I have covered everything in the 6Ps. I hope anyway..:p

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

I think you've done an outstanding job with it, brother. I used my Technics mat on the HW-17 instead of the supplied cork mat. Once I clean one side of a record, I place the cork mat a top of it so no dirt gets transferred to the clean side.

Good idea Mike you cheapskate!:p I use a second cork mat for the cleaned side as I don't have any of those crappy rubber mats. I think we spoke of this before.



Larry, what made you use the little white standoffs instead of the mat?

Toolfan66

hearingimpared wrote: »

Good idea Mike you cheapskate!:p I use a second cork mat for the cleaned side as I don't have any of those crappy rubber mats. I think we spoke of this before.



Larry, what made you use the little white standoffs instead of the mat?

Just tring to think of a way to clean both sides without having to swap Mats everytime. So far with testing it looks as if it will work very well if not I will do the mat swap..

hearingimpared

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Just tring to think of a way to clean both sides without having to swap Mats everytime. So far with testing it looks as if it will work very well if not I will do the mat swap..

That a pretty good idea Larry but and that is a big but, I think the cork mats provided by VPI are not only cheap but they are easy to keep clean, easy to swap out, grip the record tightly so there is no slipage during the scrubbing or vacuuming cycles and definitely ensure that no contamination gets on the clean side of the record.

IMHO, I think the rubber mat is terrible. They are hard to keep clean, they typically have channels in them that traps dirts, that makes it very hard to keep clean, and I don't believe they will grip the record well when scrubbing & vacuuming.

Toolfan66

hearingimpared wrote: »

That a pretty good idea Larry but and that is a big but, I think the cork mats provided by VPI are not only cheap but they are easy to keep clean, easy to swap out, grip the record tightly so there is no slipage during the scrubbing or vacuuming cycles and definitely ensure that no contamination gets on the clean side of the record.

IMHO, I think the rubber mat is terrible. They are hard to keep clean, they typically have channels in them that traps dirts, that makes it very hard to keep clean, and I don't believe they will grip the record well when scrubbing & vacuuming.

The little standoffs are made of silicone, and the testing I have done so far I have had no slipping. but till I get my Delrin tube I won't do any serious testing on good vinyl.:D

hearingimpared

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

The little standoffs are made of silicone, and the testing I have done so far I have had no slipping. but till I get my Delrin tube I won't do any serious testing on good vinyl.:D

:eek::eek::eek: Vinyl hates silicone!!! It, even in the form you are using, migrates onto the record!:eek::eek::eek:

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

If those silicone buttons become a problem use the stock mat, bro. When you bought your 1210 there should have been a slip mat included. Looks like a piece of wax paper. You can just place that on over the rubber mat for the clean side. Shouldn't slip if you're using a clamp. If not, shoot me a PM and I'll send you this extra cork mat I have, Larry.

When I prep a used or moldy LP, I place a piece of perfectly cut wax paper over the first cork mat to put the dirty side on. It works well and is disposible.

Isn't your stock rubber mat a PITA to keep clean?

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

I wipe everything down with a damp sponge after every session. So far it's been working out well. If an LP is super dirty, I'll revert back to the sink and paintbrush method before it even goes on the RCM.

Mike, if you use the Vinyl-Zyme Gold in conjuction with the wax paper on the 17 it will save your back vs the sink and paintbrush method.

I use plain old fashioned Windex as suggested by Harry Weisfeld of VPI Industies to clean the 16.5 & my Hw19 Mk IV. It does a fine job of keeping everything immaculate.

schwarcw

hearingimpared wrote: »

Carl,

Just an FYI. When I use the spray bottle from my Vinyl-Zyme Gold, I hold the record in my hand with my middle finger in the hole and the edge against the heal of my hand. I then spray 8 to 10 sprays on around the record then place it on the turntable and apply with a four inch foam paint brush.

The rest of the fluids I apply on the turntable with a squirt bottle and place a line of fluid on the radius from the lead out groove to the lead in grove then scrub in with VPI/MFSL brushes depending on the fluid.

Hi Joe!

I use a few tiny squirts of cleaner, use the MOFI brush to clean around the record. Vacuum the cleaner off the surface, then I spray water with the right hand and use my left had to shield the label. Kind of a first rinse.

Then, I spary a little water on the record, use a different MOFI brush for a "rinse scrub". Change wands, then vacuum the water off the record while simultaneously spraying rinse water with my right hand and shielding the label with my left. The overspray in both cycles is from applying a rinse spray while vacuuming.

The plain water will puddle around the TT on the VPI. I just clean it off with a paper or cloth towel.

schwarcw

Your work looks fabulous! What a great job!

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

I don't need to do the paintbrush thing very often now, Joe. Just on the really grungey records that I get used. That bottle of Vinyl-Zyme Gold I bought is going to last me a very long time. I keep the 17 covered when not in use and everything is kept clean enough too eat off of.

You know, I don't even use the fluid pump on it. I prefer to be more hands on when scrubbing and use the MoFi brushes for cleaning. The only time I use the VPI brush is for the rinse and I apply the water manually. I use a similar routine that Michael Fremer demonstrates on the DVD that Rich sent us, plus the steamer. My records are squeaky clean before going on the Technics. No snaps, crackles or pops. Just clean, quiet records. The way it should be. After each side, the stylus gets a few dips into the ME to keep it clean and every so often it gets a treatment with a liquid stylus cleaner.

Mike be very careful with the liquid stylus cleaner as it has a tendency to migrate up the cantilever and foul up the suspension gromet. I've shied away from the liquid cleaners and just use the Onzow to clean the stylus. If the suspension on my cartridge got fouled up it would cost me close to $2K to get retipped.:eek:

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Edit: Just to add, I thought about getting the Zero Dust, but really can't justify the need to, Joe. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is one cheap tweak that really works.

Mike, I was going to try that but read that it leaves residue on the stylus. Have you noticed this? Does the piece keep getting smaller and smaller with use?

Dawgfish

I have to admit I was on of those guys who had some questions about using a good table like the 1200 for a record cleaner (even though I've always respected your right as an owner to do with it as you wished). After seeing this thing however, I've changed my mind somewhat. This thing came out fantastic! You have some serious talent and did an awesome job with this. How well does it work? I also like the fact that you did this in a fashion where you could still reassemble the 1200 and reuse it as a turntable in the future if you decide it doesn't work out as a washer. Nice job!

Toolfan66

Dawgfish wrote: »

I have to admit I was on of those guys who had some questions about using a good table like the 1200 for a record cleaner (even though I've always respected your right as an owner to do with it as you wished). After seeing this thing however, I've changed my mind somewhat. This thing came out fantastic! You have some serious talent and did an awesome job with this. How well does it work? I also like the fact that you did this in a fashion where you could still reassemble the 1200 and reuse it as a turntable in the future if you decide it doesn't work out as a washer. Nice job!

Thanks!!!:cool:

I understood where the guys were coming from that were knocking the idea, I knew going into it I would hear some negitivity toward my idea in doing this. So far the testing I have done it works fantastic, I don't want to clean any of my good vinyl till I get my Delrin to make some good pickup tubes, it should be here next week. I will update when I have it fully completed and do some serious cleaning, and listening.

Thanks again for the kind words..

Larry.

Toolfan66

Made my delrin pickup tubes last week, and just cleaned some vinyl with this badass unit. let me just say having a RCM is the way to go, my vinyl sounds fantastic... This project was worth all the work and then some. well I am off to chill to some SADE.

For those of you that disapproved of this project, well:D

Peace,

Larry.

hearingimpared

Awesome Larry! How's the delrin tube working out?

Toolfan66

They work great Joe, thanks for the heads up on using delrin. I had to order it in solid round and drill it out to make a tube as they don't make a delrin tube, not that I could find anyways.

mmadden28

Nice job!! Fantastic!

Keiko wrote: »

...The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is one cheap tweak that really works.

What is the Mr Clean Eraser Tweak??

hearingimpared

You buy a Mr Clean Eraser from the supermarket and then placed it on your TT platter. Gently lower your stylus onto it a couple of times and it cleans the stylus much like the Onzow Zerodust. http://www.google.com/products?q=mr+clean+magic+eraser&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=PDm4S5CNNMH88AbG_OXhBw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQzAMwAg

I use the Onzow Zerodust. This product was made specifically for cleaning stylus' and works very very well. I'm afraid to use the Mr Clean Magic Eraser becasue I believe it leaves residue on the stylus but people who use it swear it doesn't. I don't know. I prefer to buy a product that is made specifically for certain jobs and the Mr. Clean product was made to clean your kitchen not a stylus.

http://images.google.com/images?q=onzow+zerodust&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hjm4S83NBsGC8gay2IzfBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCQQsAQwAw

hearingimpared

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

They work great Joe, thanks for the heads up on using delrin. I had to order it in solid round and drill it out to make a tube as they don't make a delrin tube, not that I could find anyways.

That's great Larry, when I get a few bucks together perhaps you could make me a few for my 16.5? I hate having to keep buying new tubes at $24 a pop when the velvet wears out. I believe the Disc Doctor makes replacement velvet for the tubes but they are never in stock. Besides if you don't apply the replacement perfectly on the tube it diminishes the vacuum suction.

mmadden28

hearingimpared wrote: »

You buy a Mr Clean Eraser from the supermarket and then placed it on your TT platter. Gently lower your stylus onto it a couple of times and it cleans the stylus much like the Onzow Zerodust. http://www.google.com/products?q=mr+clean+magic+eraser&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=PDm4S5CNNMH88AbG_OXhBw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQzAMwAg

I use the Onzow Zerodust. This product was made specifically for cleaning stylus' and works very very well. I'm afraid to use the Mr Clean Magic Eraser becasue I believe it leaves residue on the stylus but people who use it swear it doesn't. I don't know. I prefer to buy a product that is made specifically for certain jobs and the Mr. Clean product was made to clean your kitchen not a stylus.

http://images.google.com/images?q=onzow+zerodust&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hjm4S83NBsGC8gay2IzfBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCQQsAQwAw

Thanks Joe.

I read up some more on the Magic Eraser tip--Interesting...I use ME all the time, esp to clean the 'hard to clean' plastic trim in my car (esp around the floor boards/runners) as well as the back of the seats that my kids seem to think is there just for for their feet.

I find it interesting that all you do is kind of dip the stylus into the ME instead of an 'erasing action' of any sort. I'll have to try this out some time.

Toolfan66

Hey Joe do you have an old VPI tube you can send me?