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Can someone explain to me the magic of the Steuerpimpel?

R

red888

Active Member
This question is purely for my own edification. Feel dumb that I can't understand how this works, I know its super simple but its baffling to me.

I have a 1218. When the arm drops it shifts just a bit to the right. I easily compensated by tweaking the drop position, but this is a classic Steuerpimpel problem from what I understand- but I don't know why.

I got a replacement because I thought why not. It made it even worse because it was the wrong size- too tall. It shifted even more to the right when it dropped. I'll shave it down or find another one but I don't understand how this works.

Even looking under the TT when its started I still can't grasp how the pimple is responsible for this shift when the arm drops and why a taller one would exacerbate it.

Also, why does it become less effective when it hardens over time? Something to do with friction?
 
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“No one shall be able to explain this.”

But hopefully some kind folks here will try.
Mine required a trip to Fix My Dual to get it 100%.
 

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The S-pimple is simply part of the tone arm "clutching" mechanism. It simply provides enough friction on the lift lever surface so the lever can move the tone arm. Nothing mysterious about it.

I've fixed that strange little "jink" behaviour on lowering by rechecking the tone arm lift adjustment.

Here's one from a 1249 manual as an example:

1.jpg

I only provide that as a sample of what the adjustment might look like in your manual.

You'll have to consult your 1218 manual for guidance when checking yours. Most I have seen have a sleeve/collar just below the upper S-pimple that allows for fine adjust. Again, consult your S-manual to be certain.

A different length S-pimple changes the overall length of the rod, which may result in the S-pimple being in contact with the lift arm when it shouldn't be. IE: the tone arm should be off the lifter, but if it isn't it might give a little "jink" as the lift arm mech moves to it's "home" position on the main cam.

Not a guarantee that's your issue by any means, but it's a simple thing to check and adjust if needed.
 
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red888 said:
This question is purely for my own edification. Feel dumb that I can't understand how this works, I know its super simple but its baffling to me.

I have a 1218. When the arm drops it shifts just a bit to the right. I easily compensated by tweaking the drop position, but this is a classic Steuerpimpel problem from what I understand- but I don't know why.

I got a replacement because I thought why not. It made it even worse because it was the wrong size- too tall. It shifted even more to the right when it dropped. I'll shave it down or find another one but I don't understand how this works.

Even looking under the TT when its started I still can't grasp how the pimple is responsible for this shift when the arm drops and why a taller one would exacerbate it.

Also, why does it become less effective when it hardens over time? Something to do with friction?
Click to expand...
Friction is it. The little rubber cup slides across a plate that laterally moves the arm. If the little cup hardens, the friction drops off between it and the metal plate, reducing its effectiveness. Who coined that crazy word for it?
 
egellings said:
Friction is it. The little rubber cup slides across a plate that laterally moves the arm. If the little cup hardens, the friction drops off between it and the metal plate, reducing its effectiveness. Who coined that crazy word for it?
Click to expand...
S-pimple is a German word. Table is Made in Germany.

Soooo....;)
 
It basically means steering plunger in German. I think Pimpel is a word play on a unclogging plunger. (so a rubber cap)
It's very common in most germanic languages to combine 2 words to a new one.

I don't think Pimpel has the meaning of pimple. Maybe today with internet and it's english influences, but back in the early 70's not
Pimple is Pickel in German afaik;)
 
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Makes sense because if you put "steuerpimpel" into an online translator, you get something weird like "tax peeper", "tax dodger", "tax beaver" or something equally weird along those lines.
 
mr_petit said:
It basically means steering plunger in German. I think Pimpel is a word play on a unclogging plunger. (so a rubber cap)
It's very common in most germanic languages to combine 2 words to a new one.

I don't think Pimpel has the meaning of pimple. Maybe today with internet and it's english influences, but back in the early 70's not
Pimple is Pickel in German afaik;)
Click to expand...
"Pimpel", Pümpel", Pömpel", they are all the same word spelled differently in diverse regions of Germany. And "Steuer" here really means "steering".
I think when they developed this mechanism someone asked: "How do we call that funny plastic thingie?" And someone other answered: "Well, somehow it looks like a Pimpel in very small."
 
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