Counter weight for pl-518

[amorax]

Hi everyone, new to these forums! Picked up a PL-518 missing a counterweight but can't seem to find one anywhere. Does anyone know which other counterweights would work with this model? I have seen a thread on here about 560 and 540 counterweights working as well, but can't find those either.

 

[mccalljd]

The 516 and the 514 look very much like the 518 but are heavier and won't work.

 

[amorax]

The 516 and the 514 look very much like the 518 but are heavier and won't work.

okay thanks for the heads-up. So is my only route 518 or 560/540?

 

[mccalljd]

okay thanks for the heads-up. So is my only route 518 or 560/540?

Probably. The 540 is definitely the same counterweight as the 518. I am considering taking the 516 counterweight I have and seeing if a machine shop could turn it down to the 518 size.

 

[amorax]

Probably. The 540 is definitely the same counterweight as the 518. I am considering taking the 516 counterweight I have and seeing if a machine shop could turn it down to the 518 size.

thanks for the info! and if you do, def. let me know how that goes!!

 

[Montycat]

Probably. The 540 is definitely the same counterweight as the 518. I am considering taking the 516 counterweight I have and seeing if a machine shop could turn it down to the 518 size.

The c/w is likely plated brass with plating. If the inside diameter is the same and the weight not that different if might be easy enough to do yourself if you have access to a grinder or table top sander. I modified a random c/w to work with an AudioCraft arm once. I think I reduced the weight by about 10 to 15% pretty quickly and it looked ok too.

 

[mccalljd]

The c/w is likely plated brass with plating. If the inside diameter is the same and the weight not that different if might be easy enough to do yourself if you have access to a grinder or table top sander. I modified a random c/w to work with an AudioCraft arm once. I think I reduced the weight by about 10 to 15% pretty quickly and it looked ok too.

I think I wouldn't want to attempt it without a lathe (mine is in storage right now). I'd want that back taper on it like the original. A pro would probably do a job I'd be satisfied with rather than my feeble efforts. But if it is brass, I would hate to go ahead and do it since it would be going on a unit for sale. Thanks for that info.

 

[gpavila]

I'm in a similar spot. Grandpa's 518 doesn't have a weight. What did you end up doing? How much do they weigh anyhow?

 

[mccalljd]

The 514 and 516 counterweight has a bigger inside diameter because it is fitted with a sleeve, so when taking off material on the back, one has to be careful not to remove too much. I had a machine shop do this and too much was taken off. I had to fill the space between the sleeve and the weight with lead shot to get close. The tacking weight adjustment still wound up being off by 0.5 grams according to the dial, once the arm was balanced and the weight dialed in.

 

[gpavila]

Thank you mccalljd. I need to do some hunting then.