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AR-XA Project

chicks

chicks

Lunatic Member
Just picked this up from the GW. Shopgoodwill.com had it mis-categorized under Art, and it was pick-up only, so I was the sole bidder - $12.99. Thanks to Wiggy for posting it on AK!

Going to need some work. Everything's here except the mat, and the dustover is cracked pretty bad. The armrest was missing, but it fell out from somewhere inside, so just needs to be glued back in.

It's the early two-motor version. Both motors appear to work fine, and are extremely quiet. Belts are stretched, naturally. I know the long one is available, not sure about the starter belt, though.

Cleaned and lubed the shaft, but it's binding, not spinning freely. Oxidation in the well? :dunno: Suggestions?

Pickering V15 II cart, with a fat but decent looking stylus. Cables are all in good condition, no sign of any moisture damage, bottom fully intact.

Not sure I want to tackle this myself, pretty sure there are experts here who can bring this back to life. My first turntable was an XA, the single-motor version, way back in '72 or so. It's still a classy looking deck. I had a Shure V-15 III on it, and just happen to have one in my inventory. Will have to try it on the "new" XA when it's ready.

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I am going to hold any comments cause I just know Marc is on his way,,,lol


PM sent regarding the cover.
 
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:yes:Much potential there! Top plate looks super clean and the walnut looks great too.
Congratulations on a great score!
I've been itching for a new XA thread here.
 
I'm just listening to my XA as I'm typing. Jackie Gleason sounds absolutely wonderful on this tt. It was built by Radgear out of Vancouver.
 

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C'mon Chicks! You can do it! Marc and a few others might help of course. :)

And just maybe you will inspire me to get off my ass on my AR restoring projects. :yes:
 
The Marc they are talking about is Marc Morin. He is an extremely talented AR turntable expert here on AK. Many of us have had the good fortune of having him tweak and set up our vintage AR turntables. He will be a great resource for you regardless of how you want to proceed.

Good luck.
 
chicks said:
Cleaned and lubed the shaft, but it's binding, not spinning freely. Oxidation in the well? :dunno: Suggestions?
Click to expand...

The issue is the original bearing wells were simply delrin cups that swelled due to reaction to the oil. AR for a short time re-bored the wells only for that to happen again. They then went with the babbitt sleeve into that delrin cup and they still swelled some. It can be re-honed.....IF it hasn't pitted. Refinished original/babbitt cups can be found. The spindle will need refinished also. The same thing will happen to the arm well.
 
Before doing or buying anything, I urge you to wait until Marc offers his input. He is truly THE MAN when it comes to these tables, and he can help you avoid any missteps.

[edit: Oops, he's here now!]
 
Another vote for Marc. He is repairing my ES-1 that arrived damaged. He was able to repair the original cherry plinth. Cannot wait to get the baby home and spin some vinyl.
 
marcmorin said:
The issue is the original bearing wells were simply delrin cups that swelled due to reaction to the oil. AR for a short time re-bored the wells only for that to happen again. They then went with the babbitt sleeve into that delrin cup and they still swelled some. It can be re-honed.....IF it hasn't pitted. Refinished original/babbitt cups can be found. The spindle will need refinished also. The same thing will happen to the arm well.
Click to expand...

How can I determine if the cup is sleeved? It looks like metal when I shine a flashlight inside, very different material than the nylon-looking top of the well. There's a foam or felt washer around the top of the hole that is probably there to soak up oil and keep dust out. :dunno:

Anyway, I cleaned the well several times with iso on Q-Tips, lubed with 25 wt silicone oil, rinse and repeat. The shaft now glides in without a hint of binding, and, with the outer platter in place, will free spin for about 15 seconds. Still not anywhere near as free spinning as my Empire, but far better than it was. The worn out belt won't start it spinning, even after talc treatment, but will keep it spinning slowly after I push start it.

Not sure more of this will get me any further...
 
Congratulations chicks! It looks like you have a great project turntable there, and at a steal of a price no less. Marc Morin is working on some of the parts from my early '60's two motor AR-XA right now, but I think yours is a slightly earlier model than mine since it has the delrin cups. Other than that mine looks almost identical to yours. I think the color and finish on my top deck are identical. It is battleship grey if I am not mistaken.
 
Yeah, I kinda like the color. My original XA had a fuzzy textured finish on it, kind of an off-purple color IIRC. I like this smooth finish better.
 
Mine has the letters "BG" stamped into the metal on the top deck pretty close to the middle. I am assuming this means "Battleship Grey." Does your have that marking as well?
 
BG. . .A. . .NJ

Looking at it under flourescent lighting in the garage, it looks brown, nice match for the walnut...
 
Mine only has the BG, not any of the other letters.

And mine has always looked more brown to my eyes than grey too... And I agree, it is a nice match for the walnut.
 
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