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RT-909 head base repair

matrix

Active Member
Hello,

The head-base plate of eralier production models of the RT-909 was not made of pure aluminium. It was just coated with a chromium layer.
Actually there are a lot of decks having cosmetic issuses. The head-plate coating is bubbling and finally flakeing off.

There is no possibilitiy to repair it. The replacement of the head plate is the only way to go, but this means that the heads have to be moved to the new plate.
And here we have the next problem: it is not possible to do that once the heads have wear on their surfaces. Moving the heads from their position will damage with the sharp groove edges any tape played afterward.
To be able to move the heads to the new plate, it is a must to relapp them first.
Sure a good relapping job can be done by JRF but it is costly. Much more there is a lot of work to remove the head assy from the deck and then to mount it back after relapping.

Now I found a very good and cheap solution to repair the old bubbled head plate.
It takes just minutes to do it, no issue with the heads and no opening of the deck.

The solution I found is a custom made fascia of thin aluminium (0.5 mm thick), with adhesive on the rear.
This fascia have only to be sticked like a label over the old head plate.
It is manufactured with high precision and all holes are matching perfectly to the screw holes already present on the original head plate.
All what can be seen afterwards is the border (thickness) of this fascia, it is brighter as the old head-base is.
But in my oppinion it looks really good with this bright border.

Here is a picture showing the old bubbled head plate and the new self adhesive fascia.
It is visible how thin this fascia is.

I'm happy now to be able to repair any bubbled head-plate in minutes, without the huge work of head-assy removal, relapping, etc.

dsc06375m.jpg


Kind Regards,
Vlad
 
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Pioneer RT- head-base plate

Vlad, you never cease to amaze me!

You've come thru again!

Way to go!

Hey Vlad, will this also work on the RT-701 & 707 as well?
 
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Vlad, no never cease to amaze me!

You've come thru again!

Way to go!

Hey Vlad, will this also work on the RT-701 & 707 as well?

Hi Orlando,

I'm glad to see you here.
Sure it works on the RT-701/707 too.
Do you have a bubbling head plate on the 707?
If I remember right, the head plate cover is detachable on the 707.

Vlad
 
RT- head face-plate

Vlad, I do have a Pioneer RT-707 as well as a RT-901, but... "no"... mine "do not" have this problem. Out of curiosity, I was asking if this applied as well to the RT-701 or 707 since there maybe those who have a RT-701 or 707 that are encountering this problem as well, that's all.

Vlad, keep up the brillant work though!
 
I have just purchased an RT-901 that has been recently serviced with belts, tires and a lube) Aside from the head base plate it is otherwise near perfect. May I ask where you acquired the "stick-on" plate and is it available with the RT-901 silkscreening?
 
Hi Vlad, Great solution to the bubble problem. The two that need covers are seriously bubbled up. Does the surface need to be sanded or prepared before applying the cover? Do you make the covers or would you point to the supplier?
Regard, and thanks for the great post.
Walter
 
Hi Vlad, Great solution to the bubble problem. The two that need covers are seriously bubbled up. Does the surface need to be sanded or prepared before applying the cover? Do you make the covers or would you point to the supplier?
Regard, and thanks for the great post.
Walter

Hello Walter,
The surface have to be absolutely flat, so it is a must to sand it to remove all bubbles or flakes. You can use a flat wooden block with 120 grit sand paper over it. Then 600 grit paper for the final treatement.
After you sanded it flat you can simply clean it with isopropilic an apply the new cover.
Just send me a PM when you need them.

Vlad
 
Just got my "Matrix" custom head base in silver! This is the full machined plate v.s. the facia, but his facia solution looks incredible. That is what I was going for until I found a full plate available w/ John @ JRF when I sent my assembly in for lapping/alignment. It came back incredible+++!!
 
I may still refinish my old bubble plate with the facia to have on reserve.
Vlad does it again.:thmbsp:
Craig,
Good idea to have a reserve on hand since the head plate is always exposed.

Your 909 Brake Pads will be shipped tomorrow.
 
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Thanks Ron! I'll need to wait until further into the rebuild when funds have been accrued and secure some Vlad mods, i.e. fascia, remote, mute, etc. If those don't kill the funding, maybe the mechanism damper too and build 1 hot rod machine and have 1 stocker! 1st things 1st, as they each need to yet be verified for being fully operational, which can be no small task to achieve, but with the wealth of rebuild resource on AK, it's a follow the direction procedure for most items. Thanks to all who have made all of these great contributions!!
 
How can Vlad be reached...

I need one as well. I sent him a pm but I haven't heard anything. Does he have a website or some other way to get his products.
Please advise,
Thanks
 
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