How often to lube up a turntable?

[Tedrick]

I pull the platters on the VPI and the Dual once a year. the shaft on the platters are cleaned and re-lubed. Then I clean the bearing wells on the VPI and give the Dual's bottom bearing a clean and relube. On tonearms, if it isn't broke don't fix it. Also I pull and re-establish power cables and interconnects. Also I check the cart alignment just for the heck of it. Usually scheduled in the winter when I need something to do.

You beat me to it. VPI recommends lubing the platter bearing and motor once a year. Their unipivot tonearms need NO lubrication.

 

[classic carl]

If it ain't broke, I don' fix it.

 

[DesertTwang]

My Pioneer PL-540 most likely was never lubed during its ~35-year lifespan. It's not something i have any experience in, and the service manual says nothing about lubing. Does anyone know what kind of maintenance these tables need?

 

[vwestlife]

After every 2000 hours of operation, according to Technics:

 

[91r100gs]

I use Valvoline 10w-30 synthetic. Still rrrruuuunnnniiiinnnngggg after six years.

 

[GChief]

I use Valvoline 10w-30 synthetic. Still rrrruuuunnnniiiinnnngggg after six years.

We used Penzoil Synthetic in our Armory. Military did a “gun oil” study in the 90’s and it came out on top.

Edit: Actually it may have been an FBI funded study now that I think about it for a minute. Been to long ago.

Edit II: I think I have Lucas Syn gun oil in the wells of my XA

 

[avionic]