Garrard 301 Rimless Ivory Schedule 1/A New Project & Plinth Build

[adnick]

Let me start by thanking my buddy @BillWojo for prompting me to advertise WTB on several internet audio sites, it provided this rare project.

This 301 was a console model and came from a fellow member at Hifi Haven, which is also a new friend

Last year my project was an early Thorens TD124 and Steve Jain (@musiqlovr) introduced me to Ray at CTC and he gave me an excellent deal on some used parts so I’m going to probably use CTC as my parts source.

It’s truly a Schedule 1 A ivory rimless and actually looks fantastic underneath (see photos provided by seller)

Here’s my general plan:

General cleaning and service, using Boeshield T-9 on the linkages and determine which grease to use from all the opinions in the grease bearing

Most likely replace the springs and spark capacitor

Replace idler, which one is the question

Update the grease bearing cap

Replace the Mat?

Design and build a new heavy plinth

Obviously a long term project which will be interrupted by long periods of nothingness

Also need to acknowledge Nate’s (@Redboy) support and advice in this endeavor

Here’s some photos right out of storage

 

[x3workshop]

 

[heyraz]

Andy,

Very nice and congratulations!
I began restoring the same version 301 before returning it to a friend. Long story in another thread.

Biggest issue I thought was the grease bearing, I could hear it turn no matter what grease I tried.
I'm sure you're aware of the cadmium plating underneath and to be careful.

Good luck! Looking forward to reading about your restoration and how your 301 compares to your TD-124. I'm sure you'll design an amazing plinth.

Rich

 

[adnick]

Rich:

Thanks buddy, recall reading about your 301….and yes I’m aware of the plating, but thanks for th reminder.

I’m still researching parts and websites related to these machines and there’s several available mods for the grease bearing, like the Audiosilente thrust bearing kit or the Classic Hifi spindle thrust base, although I wouldn’t ever change the bearing housing.

There’s just too many skilled audio/turntable people running these tables without any noise issues beyond those that are inherent to turntables in general

Have an unusual plinth design in my concept drawings but not ready to make it public yet, will probably build a mock-up before showing it, if it gets that far

Really looking forward to this project….

 

[adnick]

The plinth wood selection process is underway

 

[Panamafred]

Wow! I don't have much to offer in terms of advice but will follow this with interest... your builds are always fascinating and I'm sure there will be something I can apply towards a future project.

Congrats on another end game idler!

 

[adnick]

Wow! I don't have much to offer in terms of advice but will follow this with interest... your builds are always fascinating and I'm sure there will be something I can apply towards a future project.

Congrats on another end game idler!

Thanks much for the kind words Fred, I’ve gotten very lucky with some of my table collections….

 

[muchachos]

The plinth wood selection process is underway

View attachment 2734511

Lovely. I can smell this photo from here ; )

Looks like a terrific project, following keenly.

 

[BillWojo]

I see another epic build is underway. For anyone not familiar with Andys (adnick) wood working skills just look up the post on here featuring a custom plinth he built for me. In his post "Russco Studio Pro Plinth Build" he details the building of my plinth using nothing but basic wood working tools, it really showcases his talents. If your at all interested in wood working, it deserves a read. I know where Andy is going with this build, its going to be a beauty!

BillWojo

 

[adnick]

I see another epic build is underway. For anyone not familiar with Andys (adnick) wood working skills just look up the post on here featuring a custom plinth he built for me. In his post "Russco Studio Pro Plinth Build" he details the building of my plinth using nothing but basic wood working tools, it really showcases his talents. If your at all interested in wood working, it deserves a read. I know where Andy is going with this build, its going to be a beauty!

BillWojo

Thanks buddy, you have more confidence in my skills than I

Contemplating some other wood choices, 1st is splated Hackberry, the other is Curly Maple

 

[Joe Nardy]

Wow! I don't have much to offer in terms of advice but will follow this with interest... your builds are always fascinating and I'm sure there will be something I can apply towards a future project.

Congrats on another end game idler!

I see another epic build is underway. For anyone not familiar with Andys (adnick) wood working skills just look up the post on here featuring a custom plinth he built for me. In his post "Russco Studio Pro Plinth Build" he details the building of my plinth using nothing but basic wood working tools, it really showcases his talents. If your at all interested in wood working, it deserves a read. I know where Andy is going with this build, its going to be a beauty!

BillWojo

+1 on the above posts. I have nothing to offer as far as advice but will be watching this build with awe and wonderment, knowing that I will be blown away by Andy's knowledge and skills.

Joe

 

[rothwellaudio]

Obviously a long term project which will be interrupted by long periods of nothingness.

I too have numerous projects interrupted by long periods of nothingness.
Btw, you have some very nice planes.

 

[adnick]

+1 on the above posts. I have nothing to offer as far as advice but will be watching this build with awe and wonderment, knowing that I will be blown away by Andy's knowledge and skills.

Joe

Joe my friend, and I mean friend sincerely….The ability to make good friends without even meeting them in person is one of the more positive aspects of the internet, I’ve certainly made several here on AK.

Appreciate the kind words, and the hyperbole

Andy

 

[adnick]

I too have numerous projects interrupted by long periods of nothingness.
Btw, you have some very nice planes.

Thanks, but I’m assuming you are still working for a living, so you have an excuse for long periods of nothingness

Don’t collect woodworking planes, but really enjoy a well made tool, I’ve actually sold off a few that hadn’t been used in a while, figured if they were not used them on the last couple of projects then someone else needs them more than I ….they financed this project


VR
Andy

 

[adnick]

Well I’ve drawn up the initial plans, started putting together the full size model and concluded, many revisions are in order

Not quite ready to reveal the concept yet, getting some sage advice from @BillWojo using him as my sounding board, he’s always kind with the constructive criticism and Lord knows I need lots of constructive feedback

This is always the slowest portion of the project, and creating those periods of nothingness, but a full size mock-up actually saves time and money in the long run, changes are inevitable with a concept drawing, and if done to scale the model provides an actual pattern for all the pieces

Andy

 

[heyraz]

Andy,

Have you chosen a tonearm yet?

That was a major sticking point for me during the design phase because I didn't want my turntable "married" to only one tonearm.

Rich

 

[adnick]

Rich:

I’ve got several candidates some already in my collection but it will certainly have 2 arms, I’d like to get a Alfred Bokrand EMT version, but financial aspects of that and the wait will probably overcome my desire

Right now the plans include two 4&5/8” circular armboards with offset eccentric mounting holes which will allow a wide range of arm lengths. However, I’m also toying with the idea of an elongated rectangular board that’s adjustable, but a few aesthetics issues have to be solved

 

[adnick]

The 301 arrived yesterday so I had to start working on it

The seller packed it extremely well so there’s no shipping damage

Initial cleaning with some wax reveals a few minor flaws, mostly warn around the edges and a scratch here or there, for an Ivory colored rimless it’s not enough to warrant new paint. the thing is extremely clean underneath, loo like original grease in the shat well, and no visible wear to the shaft!




Took the motor apart and checked the bearings and rotor shaft, don’t believe this table was used much, every thing looks fantastic, except…the Eddy brake, it had a noticeable wobble, put it on the lathe and tried straightening it, probably got it where it looks good visually but the dial indicator still shows a wobble so i’ll order a new Eddy brake.





Noticed the old board sent with it had a familiar tonearm mount, so went and pulled out a Pickering 190D

 

[heyraz]

How do you think the the brake came out of alignment?

 

[adnick]

How do you think the the brake came out of alignment?

Really can’t say, according to Classic HiFi it’s a common problem with the original design, a two piece part, brass and aluminum, prompting them to design and commission a new one piece balanced replacement.

However my approach is not to just replace parts because there’s a new one, in fact if mine hadn’t been out of alignment it probably wouldn’t get replaced….

Ordered the Audiosilente idler and the Classic Hifi eddy brake, will update when they arrive.