justw
Well-Known Member
I would prefer that the clamp be water tight on both sides. I am certain that under some conditions I would be flowing water down the back side of the clamp.
DIY Merrill record cleaner
- Thread starter 88gibson
- Start date
I would prefer that the clamp be water tight on both sides. I am certain that under some conditions I would be flowing water down the back side of the clamp.
Windwalker
Super Member
put a 12 cent rubber washer on there
88gibson
Active Member
Part III
Lets make some legs and a handle(or top bar)
1. Cut 5 lengths of pvc pipe measuring 6 1/2" each (with hack saw)
2. Lightly sand both ends of each pipe circumferentially.
3. Gather 3 elbows,three end caps,and 3 0f the 6 1/2" pipes.
4. Clean each pipe end, inner elbow connection, and inner cap connection with pvc cleaner.
5. When gluing it's important to work in a ventilated area.
6. Glue each piece together one at a time as shown in the picture. All you have to do is apply the glue to the female junction and push firmly together.
Lets make some legs and a handle(or top bar)
1. Cut 5 lengths of pvc pipe measuring 6 1/2" each (with hack saw)
2. Lightly sand both ends of each pipe circumferentially.
3. Gather 3 elbows,three end caps,and 3 0f the 6 1/2" pipes.
4. Clean each pipe end, inner elbow connection, and inner cap connection with pvc cleaner.
5. When gluing it's important to work in a ventilated area.
6. Glue each piece together one at a time as shown in the picture. All you have to do is apply the glue to the female junction and push firmly together.
Attachments
Jose Garcia
Member
The main concern to most here is preventing the labels from getting wet. To achive this, we need the "Groovmaster Clone" or "Clamp Devise" to be as tight as possible to the record while covering entirely the label.
The other concern is to make the record to spin in circle to apply steaming, cleaning and rinsing.
While the GEM system suggest tap water, most here prefer distilled ( or better) water. In the case of those who has a water filter on their sinks, this is covered. To those that don't, a sprayer is an alternative although you will be exchanging water pressure for water quality.
Building a devise resembling a Ferry's Wheel or similar to an open Knosti System
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/antistat3.jpg
will allow the record to spin and will permit both sides to be treated.
** BTW, this site have some ideas.. http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/rc1.html
Jose
The other concern is to make the record to spin in circle to apply steaming, cleaning and rinsing.
While the GEM system suggest tap water, most here prefer distilled ( or better) water. In the case of those who has a water filter on their sinks, this is covered. To those that don't, a sprayer is an alternative although you will be exchanging water pressure for water quality.
Building a devise resembling a Ferry's Wheel or similar to an open Knosti System
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/antistat3.jpg
will allow the record to spin and will permit both sides to be treated.
** BTW, this site have some ideas.. http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/rc1.html
Jose
cfranz
That's my boy
I don't know if this has been discussed yet... Has anyone considered the efficacy of spraying hard water ad relatively high pressure at a record??
I'm attempting to find an inline filter for the water but I'm not having much luck, not, at least, a filter that can handle and deliver the pressure.
Thoughts?
I'm attempting to find an inline filter for the water but I'm not having much luck, not, at least, a filter that can handle and deliver the pressure.
Thoughts?
jcmjrt
Addicted Member
Tap water is my problem with the design. It's surprising just how hard some water can be. I know that I have to clean out the filter from my mother's kitchen sink faucet on a somewhat regular basis because it gets clogged with sand. I'd also be willing to bet that finer sand goes right on past the rather coarse faucet filter. How wonderful that would be on a record....water powered sand blasting! I'm by no means saying that everyone or even most people have sand in their water but tap water even when not sandy can have a lot of minerals...calcium blasting, etc probably isn't that great of an idea either. Cleaning in the sink with tap water may have some issues with depositing minerals...but that can be rather easily overcome with rinsing with distilled water...but the power blasting aspect of water with minerals doesn't look to be that easy/cheap to fix.
88gibson
Active Member
I think everyone is over analyzing this whole project. I can spray the entire album without getting the label wet. What concern is there at this point. If you want to make it spin use more nuts and washers. This is coming from first hand experience. The key to keeping it dry is the sink strainer washers . We're not building a nuclear warhead. If you think water could leak by the fender washers use rubber washers in conjunction, but I assure you it works with just fender washers. As far as using distilled water, unless your water is extremely hard who really cares. You can always just rinse it with distilled water if you think the impurities will make a difference. As far as water pressure goes.... You don't need a riot hose to effectively clean your albums. An ordinary sink sprayer works fine. If someone wants to build a sprayer all the power to them. There I'm done. I have not been able to post the rest of the project, because I'm back to taking care of my daughter. I'm also working at the hospital again.
Stop talking and start building for god sakes!
Derek
Stop talking and start building for god sakes!
Derek
heyitsmedust
New Member
I built one last night! Unfortunately, I bought the wrong size pvc cap, so I couldn't use it immediately.
I made mine a little smaller, only using 4" pieces along the base. With 2 pieces of 4" pipe, the t-joint, and elbow joints, it adds up to 12" when fitted together. For the upright piece with the threaded rod, I used an 8" piece of pipe.
I couldn't find a tiny enough lazy susan bearing at the hardware store, so I used my first design with the extra nuts and locking washers. I'll try to take some pictures and post them when I'm done.
I made mine a little smaller, only using 4" pieces along the base. With 2 pieces of 4" pipe, the t-joint, and elbow joints, it adds up to 12" when fitted together. For the upright piece with the threaded rod, I used an 8" piece of pipe.
I couldn't find a tiny enough lazy susan bearing at the hardware store, so I used my first design with the extra nuts and locking washers. I'll try to take some pictures and post them when I'm done.
brucered
Well-Known Member
i'm off to homdepot this afternoon to get some parts and start it.
:saywhat: you mean i don't need to hook up my gas pressure washer that can literally take pain off my car?
thanks again for your plans and help.
heyitsmedust
New Member
Well, I built it. I'm happy with it so far, and I'm just using tap water. If anyone has questions, post them.
Bone Yard
Super Member
I believe you can get the spray nozzles at a fleet & farm type store. Ours has the nozzles in the section by the plastic Banjo Valves. You'd have to thread them into something and adapt to some hose.
If you wanted to use higher purity water, you could use something like a Little Giant Pump, a small tank, some filters and come up with a recirculating system for about $30.00
If you wanted to use higher purity water, you could use something like a Little Giant Pump, a small tank, some filters and come up with a recirculating system for about $30.00
Hi everyone 
Sorry to revive a long-dead thread, but I'm very interested to hear how you all are doing with these machines, as I'm looking into building my own soon.
The biggest problem I'm running into is finding something to use to attach to my faucet to spray the vinyl. I found a quick-connect adapter that will connect to 3/4" hose, but that's pretty big isn't it? And what kind of nozzle could I get? Hmm...
Anyhoo, if any of you out there who have built your own (over a year ago now) are still using them I'd love to hear how they're working, how they've lasted, if you still like them. Or maybe you're not using it anymore because you ditched it for something else.
So, what's up?
ps. If gibson did end up sending around more detailed instructions earlier, I'd enjoy taking a look.
Sorry to revive a long-dead thread, but I'm very interested to hear how you all are doing with these machines, as I'm looking into building my own soon.
The biggest problem I'm running into is finding something to use to attach to my faucet to spray the vinyl. I found a quick-connect adapter that will connect to 3/4" hose, but that's pretty big isn't it? And what kind of nozzle could I get? Hmm...
Anyhoo, if any of you out there who have built your own (over a year ago now) are still using them I'd love to hear how they're working, how they've lasted, if you still like them. Or maybe you're not using it anymore because you ditched it for something else.
So, what's up?
ps. If gibson did end up sending around more detailed instructions earlier, I'd enjoy taking a look.
GEM Variant
I've been pretty happy with a GEM variant that I built several months back. I used a couple of HDPE cutting boards for the main structure :: back splash, and an OralBreeze dental irrigator as the pressure washer - I already had it in-house, and found that it worked quite well in this application.
I've been pretty happy with a GEM variant that I built several months back. I used a couple of HDPE cutting boards for the main structure :: back splash, and an OralBreeze dental irrigator as the pressure washer - I already had it in-house, and found that it worked quite well in this application.
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Wow! This is a very innovative and creative looking solution. Great job.
I am interested in what cleaning solution you use and what cleaning method you follow.
Currently I'm using the cleaning solution that came with my Gem Dandy. I spray both sides of the disc and let it sit for 1 minute. Then I spray at a 30-45 deg. angle, beginning from the outer edge and working my way in while rotating the record with my other hand. I think I take about 45 seconds per side of spraying then remove the record, shake excess water off, then use a 12" microfiber cloth to remove most of the water. Finally I lightly buff with another smaller microfiber cloth until it's completely dry.
rooster18
Active Member
I've built my own as I'm a relentless tinkerer, and it looks quite a bit different than the original, but functions the same. Having said this, when you take into account the time it takes for him to build it, and the fact that all the adapters/fittings etc., are included, and a small markup for him to pay his taxes with (not inconsiderable in a small business), his price is very reasonable. Much like the KAB KB1 record cleaner- you could build it yourself, but it comes in at a very fair price point.
Just plugging the original. If I had it to do over again, I might very well buy his product rather than make it myself. Maybe not, but he offers a good product at a good price.
rooster.
Just plugging the original. If I had it to do over again, I might very well buy his product rather than make it myself. Maybe not, but he offers a good product at a good price.
rooster.
I would actually second that. I half-tried to find parts for the nozzle for a couple of months. Finally it was easier to just order George's unit. Plus, after pricing some of the fittings and alternative solutions to not finding the exact parts, I agree that the price is very fair, especially if you don't have to pay shipping to Canada
I can't argue with the price:value of the original GEM; I just wanted to tweak the design. That said, the fact that I already had a pressure washer equivalent and a compatible quick connect installed in the kitchen (for my wort chiller) kept the incremental cost under $25.
The biggest plus for me (I'm a bit fumble fingered) is that I get to bolt together the label protector : record assembly outside of the sink, & can easily flip the thing whilst cleaning. Another is that the support board is mounted at a 30 degree angle, so I can just aim the sprayer straight down.
I use a pretty generic mix for a cleaning solution - start w/1 gallon distilled water ($0.99), pour out 10 cents worth, add 5ml of dawn, & backfill with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
The biggest plus for me (I'm a bit fumble fingered) is that I get to bolt together the label protector : record assembly outside of the sink, & can easily flip the thing whilst cleaning. Another is that the support board is mounted at a 30 degree angle, so I can just aim the sprayer straight down.
I use a pretty generic mix for a cleaning solution - start w/1 gallon distilled water ($0.99), pour out 10 cents worth, add 5ml of dawn, & backfill with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
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Square peg/round hole
The biggest plus for me (I'm a bit fumble fingered) is that I get to bolt together the label protector : record assembly outside of the sink, & can easily flip the thing whilst cleaning. Another is that the support board is mounted at a 30 degree angle, so I can just aim the sprayer straight down.
Clarification please: Your photos show a round cutout in the angled support board. Does the square end of the PVC cap fit snuggly into the round cutout to hold the record firmly in place while cleaning?
The biggest plus for me (I'm a bit fumble fingered) is that I get to bolt together the label protector : record assembly outside of the sink, & can easily flip the thing whilst cleaning. Another is that the support board is mounted at a 30 degree angle, so I can just aim the sprayer straight down.
Clarification please: Your photos show a round cutout in the angled support board. Does the square end of the PVC cap fit snuggly into the round cutout to hold the record firmly in place while cleaning?