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Generic tone arm lock question

Rowrbazzle

Rowrbazzle

Active Member
I can't count the number of turntables I've seen where the tone arm lock mechanism is a little bit of cheap plastic which is invariably breaks off after a few years and/or some hard use. Sometimes it's possible to order a new tone arm rest and install it easily, but sometimes you have to remove the tone arm and replace an entire molded plastic assembly which includes the tone arm rest.

I'm just looking for ideas for a quick fix that is a little more elegant than wrapping a piece of tape or or a rubber band around the tone arm and tone arm rest stub when you have to move a TT. Any ideas?
 
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Currently, it's a Kenwood KD 2070, but I should explain that I check out TTs for a local non-profit thrift store, and I just need something that will secure TTs when they're on the shelf in the store, and when customers take them home. Maybe some sort of binder clip arrangement? Right now I use tape or a rubber band, but obviously that's not a solution if the TT is in use.

Maybe I just have to assume that the buyer is going to need to live with the issue.
 
It's an ongoing problems with the TTs that I get in to check. The stylus was buggered up on this one, and the tone arm was in the middle of the platter when it was brought it. With the tone arm sitting so precariously on its perch, it's no wonder why.
 
Since you don't have any real investment in these outside of getting them on the shelf for your employer, I wouldn't put much time into looking for a solution other that what you are doing already. If, on the other hand, they were your decks that you were planning to re-sell, then you would probably want to look into a proper repair, depending on the condition of the TT of course
 
I realize that, and it was perhaps a frivolous question. I was just hoping that someone had "MacGyvered" some sort of solution that didn't look like crap. I'm going to experiment with various sizes of binder clips, at least for transport.
 
The hook is exactly what I'm looking for, and that's what is broken off. Unfortunately, there's no hole in the vertical piece, and the entire arm rest piece is not removable. It seems to be part of a larger molded unit that circles the tone arm assembly.

As you say, if I was keeping this TT for myself, I might take the time and trouble to order and install another molded unit which would include the tone arm rest. As it is, I think that a large binder clip will serve the purpose for transport, and will be easier to take on and off than tape or a rubber band.
 
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