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Crazy idea...

VintageDutch

VintageDutch

Active Member
Hi to you all. An Idea for a Poor mans Idler Drive TT

We all love our TT's. Thats why we land here to show off or get things fixed or to fix...
I think most us would maybe like to own A Idler wheel Turntable... (now notice... I did not mention any brands):bigok:

For one... they are cool as F**k and they are around for 60, 70 years... Now that is bomb proof build quality. In short... they rock!:rockon:
But like with the most of us... My wallet says NO.. every time I see such beauties for sale...

But those are the beasts!! Why not go for A simple little mass produced Idler Wheel TT..
Philips made them, Telefunken, Garrard also made small Idler TT's...

Some thing like this..Pic_1612619202569.jpg

So although my current project TT is not finished, I think I found a new project in these small TT's..

I know the purist among us will hate for it...so If you are a purist... STOP reading!!!I love you anyway :)...

I was thinking... Lose the Tone arm...Lose half the mechanical dingdongs and nicknacks.. and just use the Platter, Motor and Base. Turn all a quarter and construct a Nice plinth. After that Mount a nice second hand "modern" tone arm And enjoy A real idler Turn Table...

Yes yes I know.. probably You'lle have some more rumble as there big brothers have... but Hee... it seems to me like a nice project... And I don't think it is done (maybe for good reason)... or i'm I wrong?

Your thoughts please.
 
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My thoughts? Most of those mass produced consumer tables have very light weight platters and cheap spindle bearings not to mention the rest of the mechanics's.
There is a reason that certain idler drives are popular, the strengths of their design and build far out way any negatives and the negatives can usually be fixed.
Trying to fix up a light, flimsy idler drive is usually an exercise in utility it your going for audiophile grade.

BillWojo
 
Agreed @BillWojo But I Last time A had my hands One such small Idler It was sturdy little bugger... Then Again that comes from my Youth ...so quite some time ago..
I'll would be tearing out lots of the mechanics though...

@beat_truck That Dual 1219 Is a good idea, probably even better... I'l look at them.. Never gave Dual a second though really..stupid me...
 
I did something similar a very long time ago and the results were disappointing. However, I have to say that the little Philips is a real beauty, and I would restore it and use for its original intended purpose.
 
@SaSi Thanks... I know I can get a bit crazy sometimes...and they are for the grabs for a few bucks so... why not try I'd say...
Just found a picture of the inside of a telefunken 504.. Al metal!
For such a small chassis I think not to shabby....

The plan is to remove all automatic related gears and levers etc.to make it fully manual. Deaden the steel, give nice springs (Lenco style), remove the tone arm, Fill holes etc.
Screenshot_20210207-091756.png

That Motor looks fair....I do see room for improvement... for it's platter bearing...

Well see... first let attend to the snow fallen here in ther Netherland... 15/20 cm and windforce 8 with minus 10c brrrrr no Alaska, canada or Norway but cold never the less
 
VintageDutch said:
I think most us would maybe like to own A Idler wheel Turntable...
Click to expand...
Really? Are you sure you haven't overestimated the appeal of idler wheel turntables?
VintageDutch said:
I was thinking... Lose the Tone arm...Lose half the mechanical dingdongs and nicknacks.. and just use the Platter, Motor and Base. Turn all a quarter and construct a Nice plinth. After that Mount a nice second hand "modern" tone arm And enjoy A real idler Turn Table...
Click to expand...
Doesn't seem much easier than starting from scratch with a platter, main bearing and motor.
 
rothwellaudio said:
Really? Are you sure you haven't overestimated the appeal of idler wheel turntables?
Click to expand...
Maybe... But there must something to them... WIth brands as Garrard, and others seem to be the dogs kahuna...in many ways...
If it is true or not will be not for me to find out unless Somebody donate me one or the money to buy it...


rothwellaudio said:
Doesn't seem much easier than starting from scratch with a platter, main bearing and motor.
Click to expand...

Hmmm might be... then again it is not a question of making it easy for my self but trying to create something nice/funny/functional HIFI-isch from those little TT's as a hobbie...
I think one could say the same of all those Lenco's and the whatevers the like are being rebuild/ redesigned and modded

Think of it as fun little hobbie project...that might or might not ever happen...
 
Agreed @BillWojo regarding the quality. I do think you are underestimating the number of people that enjoy playing and using idlers for day to day use. I have the following in my collection. They get through my rotation.

Pioneer PL-7
Thorens TD-124
Rek-o-Kut Rondine Deluxe
Metzner Starlight 60A - (hybrid)
Miracord 50H
Miracord 770H
Neat P68
Neat 6812
 
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VintageDutch said:
Hmmm might be... then again it is not a question of making it easy for my self but trying to create something nice/funny/functional HIFI-isch from those little TT's as a hobbie...
Click to expand...
All the idler drive turntables I've seen have the drive wheel on the inside rim of the platter and therefore it is concealed. If you're prepared to do something different and have the drive mechanism visible, you could devise a set-up that could convert almost any belt-driven turntable to rim drive. For example, a Rega could have a drive wheel in contact with the outer rim of its platter.
Anyway, that's just a thought - why does the drive mechanism have to be under the platter?
 
rothwellaudio said:
Anyway, that's just a thought - why does the drive mechanism have to be under the platter
Click to expand...
A very wise thought mr. @rothwellaudio .. At the time these TT's where made, there were no Audiophiles and other crazy people like me( and you?) in mind..
A drive wheel was consider ugly and You could get your Ty, or worse duster, stuck between platter and drive wheel

But the idea is very very nice... shame I can only do one project at the time... So... That one might become a thirt TT project..(or second since I'm still working on the first...
 
In a weird, impulsive episode I once draged the kind of audio furniture home that a TT like that belongs in. Including build-in tube radio, 2-way speaker, internal antenna and it's screw-on legs. Drove off from some farm, with the whole thing in the back of my work van, wondering what the hell got hold of me.

It's doing a half decent job now, as a bedside table. But ah.. perhaps your madness can elivate mine? Send me a PM if you're interested (living in Apeldoorn).
 
There are some less appreciated idlers out there. The early Japanese companies made some idlers such as Nivco, Trio, and Neat. Many were substantial and would make a good project.
 
You are right. but the idler wheel would be the most hard to find... but since these TT are so darn cheap... you could buy a few of them and Frankstein the Living Daylights out them...

That said ... again lot of the mechanic nick-nacks Will find there way to the scrapyard... I don't care for half auto or full Automatic.. Just slowly sink that needle in to the groove....hearing the first jazzy trumpets on the way back to my favorite chair while Pick-up up a 30 year old Whiskey...

Now that called enjoying live and all what it has to offer
 
VintageDutch said:
You are right. but the idler wheel would be the most hard to find... but since these TT are so darn cheap... you could buy a few of them and Frankstein the Living Daylights out them...

That said ... again lot of the mechanic nick-nacks Will find there way to the scrapyard... I don't care for half auto or full Automatic.. Just slowly sink that needle in to the groove....hearing the first jazzy trumpets on the way back to my favorite chair while Pick-up up a 30 year old Whiskey...

Now that called enjoying live and all what it has to offer
Click to expand...

Real hobbyists can cue their record while holding their whiskey in the other hand. Just a saying... you might want to up your game.
 
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