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DIY Record Cleaning Machine - Finally Done

nerdorama said:
Very nice. I'll bet if you were inclined, you could make up kits of the machined and tubing components and sell them in Bartertown if you became an AK subscriber.

Finding an old turntable and an eBay motor wouldn't be too hard if the other parts were available.

I would buy a kit.

John
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I think he would have to become a vendor to do that, which might get a bit pricey. It is a good idea though. :thmbsp:
 
This is how it looks with the shop vac attached:

T1YgX6K.jpg


I use a small switched outlet with a short cord (pictured) for turning the shop vac off and on so that I don't have to bend down each time. It's right there on the workbench next to my RCM. :music:
 
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*One update: I have found that the aluminum threads in the clamp have become an issue. The problem is that the soft aluminum starts to create very fine chips or particles that can get on the record.

What I have done to fix this is to open the hole up and insert a Helicoil. This has fixed the issue.
 
I would be concerned if the brush pressure requires a clamp to make the record rotate under the brush. As well designed and well built as this is, has it been used to clean records yet and has the brush left any scratches?
 
I've cleaned about 50 records so far - no issues, just the threads in the aluminum started to wear today.

(*Edit: As of 10/2015 - over 500 records cleaned without issue)

The weight of the brush assembly is not resting on the record - it's at a pre-set height so the brushes just make contact.

The clamp is there to hold the record down during the vacuum step.
 
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I did add a Helicoil to the threaded hole in the record clamp to keep the softer aluminum from being worn away (and ending up on the clean record).
 
Brilliant job! I would have the opposite problem you had during this process. Namely, building the wooden box would be the EASY part! Thanks for documenting this so thoroughly. It serves as a great tutorial for anyone looking to follow your lead.
 
That's a great job! Skills!!!! I have a purely manual set-up that has stations. I might want to transition to something like this.
 
I want a kit for all the metal and plastic parts too! C'mon, help your less skilled AK sisters and brothers out!
 
I think that you have made a really nice RCM there. I really would like a RCM but the only way I can afford one at the moment is to build my own. Thanks for the inspiration!
 
drummergrl said:
I want a kit for all the metal and plastic parts too! C'mon, help your less skilled AK sisters and brothers out!
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I would love to, but I don't have the time. I had to make all of my parts inbetween actual jobs. That's part of the reason the RCM took me so long!
 
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