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Cheaper Record Vacs

T

TheMaxx111

Member
It would be really nice to have a record vac like the VPI, but $500!
I am wondering how effective or "Good" the less expensive record vacs I see on EBay are. They are the ones where you put the record in vertically. Ronco made on in the 1970's. I am guessing the problem is that they do not allow use of fluids in cleaning.
 
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Im not sure if you would consider it cheap, but the entry level nitty gritty at 300 bucks is a nice item. In fact I pefer the manual transmission too, it allows you scrub the records to your own liking. Pair that with some cheap Phoenix brand cleaning fluid, and the records get nice and clean.
 
Why just not search here or google on how to build your own? It doesnt have to be fancy. Mine isn't. It's just an old vac, a modified crevice tool, a crappy old TT with the arm yanked off, and some homebrew fluid. Works like a charm.
 
Please send some links to good home brew record vacume projects.
I have a couple of records with what looks like little mold dots in it. They drive me nuts.

I just do not want to make a machine that will wreck or scratch my records!

What to avoid?
 
Sansui offers good advice. Search for crevice tool in this forum and diy RCM. Another cheap option but not as cheap is the Kab EV-1.
 
This is one of the most popular: http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html

You don't have to get as fancy as this guy does. My crevice tool has a spindle hole in it, so you don't need the turning thing. I turn the edge of the record and platter by hand. My vac isn't built in. It sits upright next to the old turntable with no arm that I use as a workstation.

Here's a good link on home made solution: http://www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize041998.htm

I don't think you can get "lysol direct" as mentioned in the article. I substitute unscented liquid Lysol, works fine.
 
Rcm

I can understand that a brand new VPI 16.5 RCM for $550+ is a stretch for some people. An alternative is a "preowned" manual Record Doctor/Nitty Gritty RCM that can be had for $100 to $150 and sometimes less on Audiogon. I have a manual Record Doctor RCM that I was useing with my second system and it did a respectable job of cleaning my vinyl. I got lazy and replaced it with a VPI 16.5. If you have or plan to have a collection of vinyl that you want to preserve this is the way to go. On the other hand if your collection consists of battered/scratched/abused thrift store discards a RCM or anything else will be waste of money/time. I try to limit any vinyl I purchase to mint or near mint condition from a local used record store and a RCM keeps it in the same condition. I'd be concerned that something like the Ronco would do more harm than good.
 
All wet vac RCM's are great, I have not built a DIY type, I do have the KAB EV-1 which works extremely well. The more you pay for a machine, the less work you have to do.
The manual types allow you to decided how much scrubbing you need to do, however I have a crate with 200 lps to be cleaned in my livingroom right now, and another 500 in the bedroom. An automated RCM sounds like heaven.
 
Holst said:
All wet vac RCM's are great, I have not built a DIY type, I do have the KAB EV-1 which works extremely well. The more you pay for a machine, the less work you have to do.
The manual types allow you to decided how much scrubbing you need to do, however I have a crate with 200 lps to be cleaned in my livingroom right now, and another 500 in the bedroom. An automated RCM sounds like heaven.
Click to expand...

But what a nice problem to have!!!
 
Rcm

I was just browsing Agon, VPI 16 upgraded to 16.5 for the princely sum of $200, local pickup Staten Island NY. If your in the neighborhood what are you waiting for.
 
I got to play with Grumpy's awhile ago, and just got some used LP's from TWantiques that he cleaned on one. All I can say in my best Wayne voice is "Oh yes, someday, you will be mine". :yes:
 
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