Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Buy Sell Trade Audio Equipment => Home Audio Equipment in the Burgh => Topic started by: OldiesButGoodies on February 23, 2011, 07:24:45 PM
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Anyone know of a local machine shop that will do these for cheap? [hey - maybe we should buy a 1 foot stainless steel cylinder and make a group order for multiples?]
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My uncle owns Vangura Tool in Elizabeth. I can always ask him?
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Sunny,
Are we talking about Al Vangura? I've taken many motorcycle trips with him !
He was in Clairton however. They'd do it in titanium, or any other (exotic) materials -- since they built parts for nuclear subs and reactors.
Small world...
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I think that'd be either my uncles cousin or uncle. My uncle is an Ebbitt. I think "owns" is a vague word. Supervises? I'm not sure who actually owns it. Giant world. Tiny 'Burgh.
Yes, they do make parts for subs. I don't know how feasible it'd be to just CNC some aluminum hockey pucks in the name of audiophilia.
All I can do is ask!
:)
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Ask him Sunny, no harm inquiring. If he can help us get a batch of 10 for under $250 or even at that price it would be a great deal [new line of business for Tom??]
This web page has a basic DIY design:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/puck.html (http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/puck.html)
Thanks!
Pepe
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If he can do it, put me in for one..
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I would be in for 2
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I have not seen Al in many years, but I used to hang out with the PGH chapter of the BMW Motorcycle club where Al was member.
I have rode & shared libations many times with him. One year he hosted a Spring tune-up meet at his shop in Clairton. One of the most selfless and kind people I have ever met.
BTW, one of my past vocations was as a machinist. I now am the QA manger of a 90,000 sqft high precision machine shop near Zelienople. I could possible knock off a few weights for you guys.
Stainless steel might be a bit heavy. Too much weight will end up damaging your spindle bearing over time.
I can get 6061 T6 aluminum. We send huge quantities of parts to East Liberty Electroplating & I could probably get them anodized fairly cheap, too.
Finding the time may be an issue, but it's not out of the question.
I'll get some pricing on material at work tomorrow.
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wkhanna:
That would be great - let us know what you estimate the cost to be. The last time I used a lathe was back in college. I agree that aluminum would be best. Would be great if we could also add the store's logo to them on top or sides, but that would be project scope creep ???
Thanks!
OBG
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In general I do not like weights for stabilization. Not that they don't work but I have found that a reflex clamp can actually apply much more force that a simple weight. Plus weight will add stress to your moving parts that drive your TT (belts, motor, bearings, etc.)
Most reflex clamps work on similiarly. These clamps have several moving pieces the "twist" mechanism on the top engages a brass collet that grips the spindle in the center of the turntable. As you twist the collet begins to move back into the body of the clamp causing the body of the clamp to exert a downward force on the record. The result is the twister type clamp can perform a better job coupling th lp to the turntable, providing better dampening characteristics and can actually flatten a warped record. Check out the Clearaudio clamp.
I doubt that your DIY will cost much less, and most sellers will allow you to return the clamp if you don't like it How can you go wrong. Look Here (http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-Twister?sc=2&category=421)
I've used both types, go for the reflex!!
Enjoy the vinyl!!
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Hey OBG,
Lathe work is something I can do without interrupting production.
Getting a logo machined on the weights would require CNC horizontal milling.
Not likely I that I could break into a production CNC mill schedule for our weights
Stamping might be an option, but there are some guys at the plant that have small shops at home that may be interested.
I will investigate.
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Hey Carl,
I agree with you.
The spindle on my TT is threaded for a light weight aluminum 'Clamp'.
This allows the LP to to be coupled to the platter mechanically without adding excessive weight.
But some TT's can see some audible benefit from a simple weight that helps couple the LP to the platter.
JMHO, YMMV
Bill
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$249 bucks for clamp is a bit too much for me. I live on cash, no credit!!Plus the DIY piece has that coolness factor. Thanks!
OBG
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$249 bucks for clamp is a bit too much for me. I live on cash, no credit!!Plus the DIY piece has that coolness factor. Thanks!
OBG
The Clearaudio clamp is $100 and returnable???? ???
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Here's one a guy made for me. I found no audible difference when I used it. It will not "unwarp" a record. I recently bought some new audiophile grade vinyl discs that were visibly warped! I also have a slim design table and the weight will not fit with the cover closed. It does look kool in an audiophile kinda way.... 8) 8) 8)
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P. T. Barnum was right....... ;D
Bill Cain
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FWIW.....
These are priced fairly cheep.
http://www.ttweights.com/CenterWeightsCat.html (http://www.ttweights.com/CenterWeightsCat.html)
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Bill Hanna! Dan Rai here (silver k100rs) -- met you at Gary's shack!
Totally agree with what you said about Al Vangura -- the man is all kinds of cool!
+1 on the recommendation for reflex clamps. Pretty sure SOTA still sells theirs.
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P. T. Barnum was right....... ;D
Bill Cain
...You'd be correct sir! :P
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FWIW.....
These are priced fairly cheep.
http://www.ttweights.com/CenterWeightsCat.html (http://www.ttweights.com/CenterWeightsCat.html)
I use the TT Weights heavy weight clamp, along with the TT weights outer ring and I do find it does help on my VPI Classic TT
Weight: http://www.ttweights.com/catalog/item/6997332/7020315.htm (http://www.ttweights.com/catalog/item/6997332/7020315.htm)
Outer Ring: http://www.ttweights.com/catalog/item/7935340/8537769.htm (http://www.ttweights.com/catalog/item/7935340/8537769.htm)
When I try and use both on my Music Hall 5.1 TT, I find using just the centre weight works best.
Brian.
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met you at Gary's shack!
Totally agree with what you said about Al Vangura -- the man is all kinds of cool!
Small world, isn't it!
Yes, I remember you well. You used to run over to Cleveland for their chapter meetings. I talk with Ralph all the time.
My old '85 K100RS is doing fine.
Had no idea you were an audio geek, too! You must come over soon, I'm still in Mt Wahington.
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Spend the $$$ then report the gain...I'm sorry if I'm so skeptical but this is truely "Snake oil" !!!!
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Spend the $$$ then report the gain...I'm sorry if I'm so skeptical but this is truely "Snake oil" !!!!
So correct. If your record needs a clamp, you need a new record.
Don't even get me started on cables.... Miles of overhead lines, 100 feet of wire into house, 30 feet of inside wiring... and your "magical" 3 foot 120V interconnect is going to make something sound better? LMMFAO!!!!
Bill Cain
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Spend the $$$ then report the gain...I'm sorry if I'm so skeptical but this is truely "Snake oil" !!!!
So correct. If your record needs a clamp, you need a new record.
Don't even get me started on cables.... Miles of overhead lines, 100 feet of wire into house, 30 feet of inside wiring... and your "magical" 3 foot 120V interconnect is going to make something sound better? LMMFAO!!!!
Bill Cain
Bill, as a mathematician and a scientist, I've come to the conclusion that I will not, do not, and shall not discuss cabling and other highly sensitive topics.
You're opening up the proverbial can of worms, my friend.
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I am will Bil - up until the low level signal begins moving from board to board, then amplified and sent to speakers. There expensive cables can make a smal but noticeable difference, IMO. That said it will be cold day in hell before I pay $4K for a pair of Audioquest Sky interconnects.
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Bill, as a mathematician and a scientist, I've come to the conclusion that I will not, do not, and shall not discuss cabling and other highly sensitive topics.
You're opening up the proverbial can of worms, my friend.
LOL Thanks for the warning. No can of worms for me. ;D
The only sensitive thing about AC cabling is who makes money off the suckers.
Bill Cain
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Even at the meeting last Saturday, when it came up, I made awkward faces and turned away.
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Even at the meeting last Saturday, when it came up, I made awkward faces and turned away.
I'm sorry to hear that........ :o
"Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.†~ Dr. Carl Sagan
Bill Cain
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I added you on facebook. I'm "Elijah R**h".
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I added you on facebook. I'm "Elijah R**h".
Damn. I was so engossed in the conversation (and the History Channel) that most of the ice in my Mason Jar of 12 year-old Scotch was melted. Such is life..........
Gotcha 8)
Bill Cain
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The only experience I have with a record clamp is when I owned a Music Hall MMF5. I tried with and without, and although with a clamp warped records were a bit tamed, a better pressing made more of a difference. Bad pressings sounded bad regardless of any kind of weights. IMHO it's better to purchase higher quality records than spend money on a clamp. There are a ton of excellent 180 gram records out there. If you are dissatisfied with the sound on good vinyl you might want want to look at your cart before a clamp. Just my opinion.
I've never really stepped into the true HIFI of record players, so I really don't know what the differences are in the world of those who spend tens of thousands on a player. In the mid fi world I know the difference is minuscule at best.
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I've never really stepped into the true HIFI of record players, so I really don't know what the differences are in the world of those who spend tens of thousands on a player. In the mid fi world I know the difference is minuscule at best.
Agreed, Kimosabe. ;D Save your money for good vinyl.
Buy a Technics 1200 and call it a day.
Bill Cain
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Ok - point takes. But they do look cool. Let's make some.
I think today is a good day for a hop over to South Hills to buy some vinyl at Half Price Books.
Never owned a Technics 1200 but it is in the list. Owned a Music Hall MMF5 but was not that impressed. That was back when I did not know how to align a cartridge with a protractor (thank you fellow geek who guided me on that at a meeting), so I may not have really heard its potential.
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Never owned a Technics 1200 but it is in the list. Owned a Music Hall MMF5 but was not that impressed. That was back when I did not know how to align a cartridge with a protractor (thank you fellow geek who guided me on that at a meeting), so I may not have really heard its potential.
FWIW,
Technics 1200's have an Overhang Gauge, that the headshell fits into, to align the cartridge.
Just center the stylus over the little triangle at the end.
Makes it simple for us dummies.... ;D
(http://www.needledoctor.com/core/media/media.nl?id=6210&c=ACCT106601&h=44b3b41a6d3e3b87fab2&resizeid=-2&resizeh=74&resizew=74)
Do other "upscale" turntables have similar devices? :o
Bill Cain
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FWIW,
Technics 1200's have an Overhang Gauge, that the headshell fits into, to align the cartridge.
Just center the stylus over the little triangle at the end.
Makes it simple for us dummies.... ;D
(http://www.needledoctor.com/core/media/media.nl?id=6210&c=ACCT106601&h=44b3b41a6d3e3b87fab2&resizeid=-2&resizeh=74&resizew=74)
Do other "upscale" turntables have similar devices? :o
Bill Cain
I have a 1200. Where did you get that gauge?
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you can get the overhang tool for he technics here - just $2.50:
http://kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/ (http://kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/)
this sets the overhang for 15.5mm
OBG
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I have a 1200. Where did you get that gauge?
When I bought my 1200's, in 1988, they came with them.
My 1978 Technics SL1500 MKII's also came with them.
Been around for a while.....
Bill Cain
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Mine came with my SL-23 back in the 70's. Very usful tool!!!
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Cool stuff. I've had several Technics Tables and I never knew of those things. There's a guy selling them on epay for 6 bucks a piece including shipping.
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Says a lot about companies that don't include such a device for correct setup. :'(
So simple; so cheap.....
Bill Cain
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I was re-reading this thread and noticed there may be a misconception of what a turntable weight may or may not do.
TT weights are NOT & never have been intended to flatten or make a warped LP more playable.
They are used as a means to couple an LP to the platter and thereby transmit any vibrations on the LP through the platter and away from the stylus.
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Kingman:
Received the clamp today - will test and report back - rotate to next in line - THANKS!!!!!!
OBG