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Custom Record Cleaner

I wonder about the plastic that the resevoir is made from, as well?
My thought was that many harsh chemicals go into these windshield
resevoirs... So far I have not seen any problem, but all things should be
considered on a diy project.

One thing that is not entirely obvious is that under the table there is
a collet with a washer soldered to it that has a positioning pin to
hold the brush parallel. You lift the brush, twist it, and drop it into position.

I actually apply pressure with my fingers to the center of the record
while cleaning. I will have to do this until I get a proper record clamp.

I think it would be cool to turn something that covered the entire
label and somehow protected it from possibly putting too much solution
on the record and getting the paper wet. Just a thought.
I have successufully turned many things out of corian, but there is no real
way other then precision drilling to get it to grab the spindle, unless
I loaded it with 20 pounds of lead. hahahahahah

Does anybody have a link to a reasonably priced record clamp?

Thanks....
 
Hello Coop402,

I find with my VPI 16.5 RCM, that when I'm applying either cleaning fluids, or rinse waters, that I rarely get any on the labels. Since I still use the smallish, stock VPI knurled Plastic Clamp Nut, much of the label is exposed, and when I clean any thrift shop finds, I usually take an unscented kleenex, and wipe the label as well, while the record is spinning on the platter. Sometimes, the labels are a bit dusty too, and I figure since it is easy to wipe the labels, I feel that this is less chance of any transferrence of dust-dirt from the label area, to the vinyl, when sliding the record in-out of a sleeeve.

Even with a kleenex slightly dampened with the cleaning fluids, the labels are quite durable, and I have generally never had a problem with writing being removed, or damaged. Mark
 
Hi Coop402!
That is a great job - I have been considering making one myself,now you have convinced me. Any possibility of learnig more on how you interfaced the TT platter to the motor and any other specifics to help others copy your excellent work?

Thanks for sharing, really nice job!:thmbsp:
Best
Wayne
 
Great looking RCM!

I've built a rough model of a fairly simple one. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it works great. Plus it's only going to be 16" square and about 6" high.
 
quid_non@hot said:
Hi Coop402!
That is a great job - I have been considering making one myself,now you have convinced me. Any possibility of learnig more on how you interfaced the TT platter to the motor and any other specifics to help others copy your excellent work?

Thanks for sharing, really nice job!:thmbsp:
Best
Wayne
Click to expand...

I have an ice cream motor right now, but went and bought the motor you used and I too would like to know how you coupled the motor to the platter.
You have inspired me to re-do my RCM and spiff it up.
 
Regarding your record clamp concern (20 pounds of lead...). Can you thread the spindle? Then you can use a spin-on clamp. Tighten it as much as needed to clamp the record down tight to the platter.

I just read about six posts back, a similar suggestion. Sorry.
 
That thing is awesome, how about a couple pictures of the underside of the top? The motor mount and other mounts.

And of course the shop vac needed no voltage conversion,
straight into the plug, no wall wart necessary.

Is there a dimmer switch used with the vaccum?
 
And of course the shop vac needed no voltage conversion,
straight into the plug, no wall wart necessary.

Is there a dimmer switch used with the vaccum?

No dimmer switch, sometimes dimmer switches with motors are
weird. But that might work just fine.
If there was a problem with too much vacuum I had planned on
using a small valve in the pvc pipe, to make a sort of bleeder
valve. In other words, let the vac run full force and lose some
of the vacuum. So far it has not become a problem, but will lift the
record without center pressure on the record itself (like a clamp).
 
coop402 said:
And of course the shop vac needed no voltage conversion,
straight into the plug, no wall wart necessary.

Is there a dimmer switch used with the vaccum?

No dimmer switch, sometimes dimmer switches with motors are
weird. But that might work just fine.
If there was a problem with too much vacuum I had planned on
using a small valve in the pvc pipe, to make a sort of bleeder
valve. In other words, let the vac run full force and lose some
of the vacuum. So far it has not become a problem, but will lift the
record without center pressure on the record itself (like a clamp).
Click to expand...

Once the record could be firmly clamped upon the platter, I'd assume there would be no further lifting problems of the record. With the VPI Vacuum Wand Tower, it automatically lowers, and contacts the Record due to Vacuum Suction. And as you know, the helical spring lets it retract automatically as well, once there's sufficient loss of vacuum.

I'm certainly no "RCM Engineer", nor have the tools to give an accurate measurement of what the VPI 16.5's vacuum bar pressure is, or can compare that to the vacuum bar your machine produces either. What I have read, according to Harry Weisfield's claims, is that the VPI 17F (or is it the TOTL VPI "Typhoon"), that has twice the suction power of the VPI 16.5. And all three machines appear to use the same, identical Vacuum Wand/Tower Assembly.

With that being said, the only concerns/issues that I can think of, is a "possible" excess of vauum bar pressure, that could create too much downward force of the Vacuum Wand upon the record, and perhaps as well, too much pressure being placed on the Vacuum Wand itself, causing premature Wand Tube failure, by cracking-breaking?

I believe I have read somewhere on the net, that with others building homemade RCM's, that usually a 1/2hp shop vac produced more than sufficient vacuum. We can therefore assume, that one would certainly not need a 5hp-10hp shop vac for this application!:D Mark
 
coop402 said:
And of course the shop vac needed no voltage conversion,
straight into the plug, no wall wart necessary.

Is there a dimmer switch used with the vaccum?

No dimmer switch, sometimes dimmer switches with motors are
weird. But that might work just fine.
If there was a problem with too much vacuum I had planned on
using a small valve in the pvc pipe, to make a sort of bleeder
valve. In other words, let the vac run full force and lose some
of the vacuum. So far it has not become a problem, but will lift the
record without center pressure on the record itself (like a clamp).
Click to expand...


KAB recommends against using a shop vac on their system becasue the suction is to high. Seems to make sence.
 
Received my new motor today and I was really hoping that perhaps you would divulge how you linked the motor and platter together. :)
I also finally broke down and bought the VPI pickup tube.
 
Bump, I too am in the process of building a DIY RCM and would like to know how the motor shaft is coupled to the platter or spindle.
 
I really like your work. It looks cool. I really like the reservour(SP) that is a great idea. About the clamp. I'd add to the puck idea by getting a steel or brass insert from a wood shop and thread it into the puck. Those inserts are really strong and they sell them in 1/4 - 20. It MUST be a Detroit Red Wings puck to work properly.
 
I haven't read through this entire thread so please excuse me if this has already been suggested but TTWeights makes a great clamp that uses a collet style grip that would work great on your design and look swell to boot!!

Prices are very reasonalble as well.
 
I saw the link to the vpi brush, but did you fabricate the holder for the brush and incorporate the fluid tube as well or was that whole assembly bought from vpi?
 
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