Turntable clamp

[OCCD]

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps
 

I'm gonna get one very soon. I will report my findings.

Thank you for the link,Carl.

[paden501]

I just had one built for myself at a local machine shop.  It's pure sex.

Mine is the weight type though, not spindle clamping.

I'm also working on having an outer-ring made 

I'll be sure to let everyone know how that works out.

[paden501]

Here's a photo of my custom turntable weight.  You can really tell the difference when the weight is used.  As soon as you put the weight on, you can see the record physically flatten out, which helps the consitency of sound across the album dramatically. 
This is especially true for older or slightly warped records.



Tom, I guaruntee that you will love the clamp when you get it.

[MasterBlaster]

That thing is badass. How much did the machine shop charge?
What type of material is it?

[paden501]

It's T-6060 Aluminum, machine polish.

I'm in good with the machine shop (personal friends) so they made it for me as a gift.  If I had to guess, I doubt it cost him toooo much to make, less than $100 for sure.

They also made me a stainless steel outer ring that I designed, but my math was fuzzy so it didn't work as I'd hoped.  I'll probably end up paying them for fixing that mistake.

I got the concept from a company called TTweights, they've got a website (ttweights.com i think).  They make some REALLY nice looking stuff, but it's pricy.

If you want, I can ask the guy I know how much he wants for a few more if there's interest inside the group.  I don't want to go too far with this though because I feel bad about reengineering TTweights' idea.  I didn't steal their design by any means (I had to figure out the sizing and the visual style and all myself), but I definately got the idea to do it from them.

[Falcon]

Very nice.. Makes want to buy another turntable and try it out..

[BB3]

Very nice.. Makes want to buy another turntable and try it out..

I think you're right falcon. That Technics Turntable that Tom has at the shop with the Mahogany Cabinet is downright beautiful and in no doubt, do the trick.-----BILL

[paden501]

Actually I was thinking that the Pioneer PL-518 he's got with the wood base looks sexy.

[Falcon]

That Pioneer PL-518 was mine, I did the veneer job. It is a very nice table. But that Technics is beautiful.. 

[paden501]

No Freaking way!

I've been seriously considering veneering my PL-516.  Tell me was it terribly difficult?

[Falcon]

Not to hard at all, I used iron on veneer from Lowes. I think the brand name was Band It. Easy to work with, if you mess up, you just heat it back up and remove to reposition. Some of the other types you can not reposition..

[paden501]

Wow thats awesome.

Did you sand off the factory vinyl finish first or did you just lay the veneer over top?

[Falcon]

You can peel that vinyl off.. If you are lucky it comes off in big pieces. Also if it does not peel, you can heat it with a heat gun, then it will melt the glue and peel off.
 The older it is the easier the vinyl should peel. I had no problem peeling it off of the 518.

[paden501]

I'll have to go check out this veneer.  Maybe I'll do this sooner rather than later.  Thanks for the great advice.  Your help means a lot to me.

Do you have any suggestions for replacement feet by chance?  The rubber feet on my table are all cracked and dry-rotted.  They can't be doing anything for me.

Thanks.


BTW Tom,
I appologize for COMPLETELY jacking this thread from you.  Please steal it back whenever you want it.

[OCCD]

The clamp is here and in use.   Very nice!!! Thanks for the info Carl.