Mounting carts

[pauldrewry]

Can I vent- removed a AT cart, simple hex screw. 5 min off on. Grado cart screw and nut. 15 mins and lots of cussing. Those with removable head shells are saying "what problem?". I'd hate to think if my hands trembled. Are there any hacks for mounting carts?

 

[joel27]

I don't know that there are any hacks to it other than lots of patience and slow breathing.

 

[mrwood200]

fairly good article on install (not alignment)
https://www.audioadvice.com/blogs/e... find a spot for,possible for the first phase.
Other tips may include:

• use headlamp + additional lighting
• some cartridges are available premounted to headshell
• some cartridges (e.g., Rega) are 'matched' to tonearms with fixed holes, which can aid install
• consider cartridges w/threaded body (no nuts required)
• consider integrated cartridge/headshell (e.g., Ortofon Concorde Music); ensure overhang is appropriate for your tonearm
• ask for assistance (you could take your table into the shop, or ask audio buddy for help)

 

[sound hound]

Are there any hacks for mounting carts?

I'm not clear. What is the tonearm? Does it have a removable headshell? If so, I'd recommend using a fresh headshell for the second cartridge. Much easier in the long run. If not removable, some recommend removing the tonearm to install a new cartridge.

 

[shawnwes]

Watch a bunch of Youtube videos if you've never done it before. Make sure you have some sort of alignment tool even if it's just a freebee paper protractor that came with your cartridge or printed off from Vinyl Engine. I use a Dr Feikert protractor & AnalogMagik software. Spendy but does the job. Many swear by the Acoustic Systems SMARTractor & believe it's the best manual protractor available - again spendy but if you're setting up an expensive cartridge not an unreasonable expense. 1mm difference can be the difference between good & great sound.

 

[pauldrewry]

I've done it before and will never enjoy it.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Are there any hacks for mounting carts?

Having someone else install them. Someone you trust and doesn't charge you. (maybe just a six-pack).

 

[Tstar]

I've mounted and un-mounted carts on headshells for years. Some are easier than others, but if you have normal dexterity you can do it without too much cussing. I have about 10 carts mounted on headshells right now. Headshells are cheap- buy one for each cart and be done with it.

 

[SONDEKNZ]

Can I vent- removed a AT cart, simple hex screw. 5 min off on. Grado cart screw and nut. 15 mins and lots of cussing. Those with removable head shells are saying "what problem?". I'd hate to think if my hands trembled. Are there any hacks for mounting carts?

SAUSAGE FINGERS HACK!

With my sausage fingers, I find that creating a thin little finger out of Blu-Tack - refrigerating it to firm it up after forming - often provides an excellent method of holding a lower nut, just to get it started.

Once I've managed to gain traction on a couple of threads, I dispense with the Blu-Tack and ensure that there is no residue remaining on the nut.

This hack has proven invaluable over the years.

 

[Mr Boochie]

SAUSAGE FINGERS HACK!

With my sausage fingers, I find that creating a thin little finger out of Blu-Tack - refrigerating it to firm it up after forming - often provides an excellent method of holding a lower nut, just to get it started.

Once I've managed to gain traction on a couple of threads, I dispense with the Blu-Tack and ensure that there is no residue remaining on the nut.

This hack has proven invaluable over the years.

I use a tiny dab of grease on the fingertip. I like this for grease on the turntables and amps.

 

[zwuttoo]

I don't know that there are any hacks to it other than lots of patience and slow breathing.

To the above advice from Joel27 I would like to add a steady hand, a sharp vision and common sense.

 

[pauldrewry]

Form me, I cut a piece of foam to rest the cart before as I put the screw in. Tweezers for the tiny nut. Almost makes p- mount cart/table desirable.

 

[jrtrent]

Form me, I cut a piece of foam to rest the cart before as I put the screw in. Tweezers for the tiny nut. Almost makes p- mount cart/table desirable.

I've always mounted the cartridge by running a bolt up through the cartridge and headshell, with the nut fastened from above. One hand holds the bolt and cartridge against the headshell while the fingers of my other hand are free to screw on the nut.

 

[sound hound]

I've always mounted the cartridge by running a bolt up through the cartridge and headshell, with the nut fastened from above. One hand holds the bolt and cartridge against the headshell while the fingers of my other hand are free to screw on the nut.

Yes, I've done this. I should do it more. Just realized how much easier it is, not having to work against the side of the cartridge.

 

[Mr Boochie]

To the above advice from Joel27 I would like to add a steady hand, a sharp vision and common sense.

I use these to help with those "small places" fixes. And plenty of good lighting.

 

[dzkfraser]

I've always mounted the cartridge by running a bolt up through the cartridge and headshell, with the nut fastened from above. One hand holds the bolt and cartridge against the headshell while the fingers of my other hand are free to screw on the nut.

Yes, that is the easy(er) way - just doesn't look as nice

 

[pauldrewry]

I use these to help with those "small places" fixes. And plenty of good lighting.

View attachment 3706316

Plus 1 on lighting. I like to wear headlamp.

 

[malden]

Can I vent- ......Grado cart screw and nut....... Are there any hacks for mounting carts?

Can I vent ?

Without a clear photo of which cartridge in particular, it's kind of hard to help you with mounting it. There may be others reading this thread who have problems mounting their cartridges but will have no idea what you are talking about without a photo.

 

[Iansaudio]

I'm glad that not all cartridges are threaded, but for the unthreaded ones a tiny bit of PVA glue to hold the nut to the cartridge always works well.

 

[gadget73]

None of mine are threaded, and all of them run screws up from the bottom into some sort of a threaded bit in the headshell. Luckily they are all removable, doing that while attached to the arm would border on impossible. For extra fun not a single thing I own has a "standard" headshell and they use weird screws too. Thorens has M2 hardware, the Garrards are 6BA, and the Microtrak is #3-48.

I do have a Syntec arm that uses a standard headshell, just haven't gotten around to installing it.