crazy vinyl clamp

[Frank Sol]

a Pringles plastic top with a X cut dead-center with an exacto knife slid over spindle onto LP is a CLAMP -- Is that "crazy" enough ?

 

[juno]

Thanks juno! Neither I have to be corrected, but some always have that urge to preach others.

a Pringles plastic top with a X cut dead-center with an exacto knife slid over spindle onto LP is a CLAMP -- Is that "crazy" enough ?

That is a great idea!

The plastic might be too flexy to grip the spindle, however.


Maybe if you cut the can down, cut the X in the metal bottom, and then rammed the can onto the spindle that might work.....once.

The best option for the Pringles can is:
1. Cut it down in length.
2. Wrap it in aluminum foil, wrapping paper, spray paint it, or however you want to decorate it.
3. Cut the X in the bottom.
4. Place can on spindle.
5. Place a binder clip inside, clamped to the spindle, being sure to center the clamp on the spindle.
6. Place plastic lid on top of your new record clamp.
7. Pour lead shot or sand into the can to add the desired damping. I prefer mercury myself as it lends some fluidity and sparkle, along with some authoritive weight to bass.**DO NOT COVER THE TOPS OF THE CLIP
7. Tune any pesky resonance by poking holes in the plastic lid with a toothpick, nail, or thumbtack until it sounds perfect. NOTE: this may also be used to add some air to the sound, to balance out the weight of the mercury.

You are welcome!!!!!

 

[4-2-7]

I'm not sure how that Clearaudio piece mentioned in the OP qualifies as a clamp.

But yet then why all the throwing of flames

How does it function mechanically as a clamp,

Well sit back and learn something.

Their literature is confusing.

Not really, but if you'v never had any hands on, why are you assuming?

I don't see how it can mechanically lock in place with whatever downward pressure one chooses to apply,

All I can say is read above...

Can anyone insisting this is a clamp show how it is, in fact, a clamp?

Pressure....

a Pringles plastic top with a X cut dead-center with an exacto knife slid over spindle onto LP is a CLAMP -- Is that "crazy" enough ?

That is a great idea!

The plastic might be too flexy to grip the spindle, however.

Frank IMO was trying to point out what a "Clamp" does, it's a mechanical force that grips the spindle holding the clamp in place exerting Pressure to couple the record to the platter. He mention cutting slits in a plastic lid and said it's a clamp, you thought it was a joke. But he was pointing you to the bearings in the Statement Clamp that are holding the clamp to the spindle. At least that's what the one I used did, unlike a loose fit record weight ie: puck. Yes I'v had hands on and it's a clamp.

Like this Clearaudio Clever Record Clamp....



or this one that's just a rubber suction cup with a tight hole in the middle of it.

 

[juno]

A weight applies pressure. However it is not clamped in place. With most clamps one has to apply some downward force and lock it in place, or perhaps screw it in place to the desired pressure. I took the Pringle's lid to be an illustration of how a light weight clamp, the clever clamp in particular, functions. I don't think the lid is rigid enough to work. I thought the bearings in the statement clamp are actually in the wooden base arranged equilaterally at three points from the center and serve anti-resonance purposes. If there are other small ball bearings in the ceramic tube, or below it within the center hole, then I can see how that would serve to clamp it in place. I suppose at the end of the day it was designed to compliment the statement turntable, which comes with the statement clamp anyway. It would be rather frivolous to buy it for use on a different table, at least in my opinion, unless it matched the aesthetics, in which case it would probably amount to form over function.

 

[kirk57]

I believe the amount of pressure exerted by a true clamp matters, and that's why I think a clamp employing a true collet would be more effective than most of these home brew solutions. Reflex clamps are also very effective.

I also think a clamp needs to apply uniform pressure around a large area of the label, and provide some sort of dampening via rubber/Sorbothane etc. It should be machined so that it's weight is precisely centered around the spindle.

For these reasons, most of the home-made weight/clamps I've seen are less than ideal.

 

[Johnny B]

For these reasons, most of the home-made weight/clamps I've seen are less than ideal.

But are they better than nothing? As long as it's an improvement and within one's budget, then it's still probably a success.

 

[kirk57]

But are they better than nothing? As long as it's an improvement and within one's budget, then it's still probably a success.

Probably. A hockey puck that isn't EXACTLY centered may do more harm than good, for example.

But clamps doing all I've described can be had for ~$50 or so.

 

[twiiii]

Now you know why VPI is so popular un the states. Foe that amount of money you can have their center weight and periphery ring, too. I tend to think you should have both, though the vacuum idea seems intriguing. But as with all systems there seems to be compromises. Now if we could build TT with the the tollerences of a QUESTAR?

 

[4-2-7]

Probably.

But clamps doing all I've described can be had for ~$50 or so.

I had seen a thread yesterday that the member was looking for a glue to use to repair a broken turntable belt...

He didn't want to spend the $35 for the correct factory belt, soooo members here told him to go buy $20 generic eBay belts...

I think in about a week we will see the thread, "How come my speed is off?" I bought a new belt.
Then they will be told not all belts are the same and should go buy a factory belt for $35.

 

[JP]

Now you know why VPI is so popular un the states. Foe that amount of money you can have their center weight and periphery ring, too. I tend to think you should have both, though the vacuum idea seems intriguing. But as with all systems there seems to be compromises. Now if we could build TT with the the tollerences of a QUESTAR?

I did needle drops about a year ago with no weight or ring, weight only, ring only, and both. No difference in measurements, and I wasn't able to pick out any differences.

No conclusions to draw as it was one experiment with one table, but my suscpision is it has more affect on the 'table itself than the record, assuming you're not dealing with warps beyond what the arm/cart system can deal with gracefully.

 

[Frank Sol]

Yeah BUT

the VPI is soooooooo pretty with the ring & weight

 

[JP]

No argument.

 

[4-2-7]

Some tables are designed to use a clamp and have to have them.

And if your record is not coupled evenly with a platter you'll pick up resonance.

 

[JP]

And if your record is not coupled evenly with a platter you'll pick up resonance.

I don't think that can be stated as fact.

 

[ripblade]

I did needle drops about a year ago with no weight or ring, weight only, ring only, and both. No difference in measurements, and I wasn't able to pick out any differences.

No conclusions to draw as it was one experiment with one table, but my suscpision is it has more affect on the 'table itself than the record, assuming you're not dealing with warps beyond what the arm/cart system can deal with gracefully.

Did you do the drops with the volume cranked, so as to expose the vinyl and rig to feedback from the loudspeakers? If that was the case and you still couldn't hear any differences I'd be surprised, but maybe not as it does depend to a degree on the mat being used as well.

 

[ripblade]

There are quality pucks made with Panzerholz (Wood) out there on a market that cost about ten time less than the one from Clearaduio!

No doubt, and the Panzerholz in the Statement clamp is probably the cheapest part of it.

 

[Johnny B]

Probably. A hockey puck that isn't EXACTLY centered may do more harm than good, for example.

But clamps doing all I've described can be had for ~$50 or so.

Fair enough. Point taken.

 

[JP]

Did you do the drops with the volume cranked, so as to expose the vinyl and rig to feedback from the loudspeakers? If that was the case and you still couldn't hear any differences I'd be surprised, but maybe not as it does depend to a degree on the mat being used as well.

That'd depend on your definition of cranked. I've never had an issue with feedback, but I stay away from hearing damage inducing levels.

I can see if a very large portion on the record can't touch the mat/platter how you could have an issue, and I'll use a weight in that situation as well, but for the average record I don't have any issues, and I look for them.

 

[BillWojo]

I bought one of those 3 in 1 record weights on ebay for 32 bucks. It has a built in bubble level, a strobe disc and act's like a record stabilizer. Very nicely made and finished, machined from aluminum, looks cool. Did it make a difference on my Technics SL-M3? Nope, did I mention that it looks cool?
Cool looking for only 32 bucks, can't beat it.

BillWojo

 

[kirk57]

Yeah I have one of those 3 in 1 weights too. I didn't realize at the time that the one I ordered had a strobe for 50hz countries. They do have them for 60hz now. The bubble level is quite useful.

Also have a Mitchell and a nice TT Weights collet clamp. Too bad those guys went under...