Hello, someone I know is selling a VPI TNT MK V platter but no bearing tofit my HW-19. I contacted VPI and someone said they have no platters for HW-19 (which is wrong) but that beargins are available for 100.00. I think the person who responded might have not fully read my email but do I believe that the TNT bearing was a little different from the bearing that came with the frosted acrylic platters that made up the HW-19 series so I need to know if this is the case. Anyone have any knowledge of this? Does anyone know if they still have TNT mark v bearings that would fit a HW-19?
thanks
Nick
I'm going by memory here, but if my memory is correct, the TNT MK V Table did use a Black Acrylic-Delrin Platter (No doubt with Internal Lead Ring), with a non-inverted bearing. That it used the older, conventional design Bearing style, which VPI had used for many years.
If not, then please correct me at this point if I'm wrong? Strange the Platter comes with no Bearing-Bearing Well?
At some point, I believe not long after, with perhaps the TNT MK-VI model, VPI had to get away from any Lead Ring "Impregnated" Platters, and if I remember, many, if not all tables were then coming with frosted Clear Acrylic Platters, albeit "thicker", and with an Inverted Bearing Design.
There were a couple different designs on the older, conventional style Bearings if I remember, some utilized attachment to the Plinth with either 3 wood screws, or 3 machine screws&nuts at the Bearing Well Top Flange.
And then some, particularly for the TNT Models had the outer housing of the Bearing Well threaded, and then used one large Nut, and whatever ring spacers (probably Delrin) that were needed, according to the thickness of the Plinth itself.
I'm not so sure this type of Bearing Well was a drop in fit on the HW-19 Models, and there is that possibility of needing to enlarge the Hole in the Plinth to accomodate this larger diameter Bearing-Well?
Then there was the VPI Super Platters. There were two versions as I recall, a 25 lb Black Acrylic-Stainless Steel beauty that fit every Table in the VPI lineup, old, or new. And the 30 lb Super Platter that was solely designed as an upgrade for the Flagship VPI HR-X Table. It is possible the 30 lb HR-X Platter would fit a Table like the HW-19, with some Plinth modification?
As for current offerings from VPI, I believe there are still a number of Platters that can be used on a HW-19 Model, and those would be Platters such as the standard VPI Scout Platter, and also, the new 18 lb Classic Platter.
If you get Sheila Weisfield to answer the phone, she may not be totally up on all the models, and what fits what, but Harry, and his Son in Law Mike, will surely know.
And no, from what I can see on VPI's site, it doesn't appear to me that they stock the TNT Bearing anymore? I could be wrong? Mark
