A Thorens Outer Platter Comparison

[ehoove]

Since I am taking my outer platters to the shop this morning to polish the rims, I thought a comparison of them might be interesting!

The TD150, TD160, and TD125 are very similar, with the exception of the small holes drilled out on the TD160 and TD125. The TD150 has the hole locations cast, but not drilled out The TD150 and TD160 platters weigh approximately 5lb, and the TD125 platter weighs approximately 6lb.

I have also seen 2 TD160 super outer platters, and both were drilled in numerous places to effect better balancing. (Not all the way through, just to remove material to balance it much like a flywheel)

The TD126 MkIII platter weighs only 3 pounds, and has a thinner rim and ridges cast in it for added rigidity. Since only the TD126 uses a DC motor the lighter outer platter design may place less start up wear on the motor.

The TD126 MkIII platter exhibits less ring than the other three do which I found interesting.:scratch2:

Note: The discoloration on the TD160 platter is residue from my attempt to apply sound deadening material to it during my TD160 modification. I removed it due to pulley clearance issues. :^(

Regards,
Jim

 

[Blue Shadow]

Interesting. And many thought the outer platter were identical. Similar but all different.

 

[Bigerik]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that. I would never have thought the difference would be so big. Especially between the 125 and 126.

 

[bob06]

This is what I do to my Thorens platters. I dampen the inner platter to dampen noise that mite be coming from the bearing. The outer platter just gets the outer inside edge done to cut down on ringing. Then I use a cork platter mat. That completes the packages. It works out great.:thmbsp:

 

[Divotdog]

Very interesting Jim, I was under the impression that the outer platters were all pretty much the same (except the 126 platter). Out of curiosity I weighed both of the ones that I could get to this morning, and both weighed in right around 6 pounds, they are the TD-145 MkII, and a late TD-150, I might add that the TD-150s outer platter is balanced and the 145 is not.

 

[ehoove]

I wonder if the weight changes due to the material used during that particular production run? I also would wonder if the drilling for balance is to improve the outer platter, or to bring it into spec? I assumed since the only ones I ever saw it on were the two TD160 super tables it was a further tweak from the factory. FWIW
Regards,
Jim

 

[ehoove]

This is what I do to my Thorens platters. I dampen the inner platter to dampen noise that mite be coming from the bearing. The outer platter just gets the outer inside edge done to cut down on ringing. Then I use a cork platter mat. That completes the packages. It works out great.:thmbsp:

I like that approach.
Regards,
Jim

 

[Sanc]

I do something similar for my inner platter. Joel's MDF sheet w/ cork applied to both sides and then corked the remaining exposed inner sides of the platter.

Cork on the outer edge of the outer platter. I also polished it. Could use a bit more work though.