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Converting a Garrard Lab 80 to manual operation, and headshell question

tubegeek

New Member
Pulled a Garrard Lab 80 out of the trash a while ago. As I tried to get it going I found it'd run, but slip-sliding and slow. I thought the auto mechanisms were causing problems so I removed a bunch of the auto parts. When I got the platter off, I discovered - I think - why the previous victim tossed it - no balls in the platter bearing. Those are on the way to me now and I expect the Lab 80 to run well with an actual ball-bearing under the platter.

There is no way on earth I feel like I have the skills to put the auto mechanism back together, and I'm OK with it being a fully manual idler wheel table with a cool vibe and what seems to be a pretty nice tonearm. While it would be amazing to have the de luxe automatic functionality, that train has probably sailed.

Two questions:

1. Does anybody need any of the parts from the auto mechanism? Message me if so, especially if you happen to have a good mono cartridge you'd like to swap!

2. I am mounting a Grado MTE+ meanwhile. The screws that held the original cartridge were much longer than the Grado requires and are a bit too big - their heads rub against the cartidge as I tighten them in - as well. How are people mounting their cartridges onto this headshell?
 
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Pulled a Garrard Lab 80 out of the trash a while ago....

Bearing balls arrived. Platter is close to spec, actually running slightly fast, about 4%.

Installed the Grado mono cart, playing my first selection now: Roy Orbison "There Is Only One Roy Orbison." (First pre-late 60's mono I could lay my hands on from the nearby shelf.)

Ain't that the truth?

Sounding great.

Not sure how I can slow this down but it's not an awful amount. Still, I'd like to get this to spec if possible. Any thoughts?
 
Spacers or short screws, depending on the particulars

Sand down the motor spindle a smidge, that will slow it. Dont overshoot it though. A bit of sandpaper on something flat touched to the motor in short bursts ought to do it. Check speed in between
 
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