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My DIY record clamp

ace420

ace420

333 only 1/2 evil :-)
I had this record clamp turned by a local machine shop for $40.00. It has really tightened up the bass & brought more overall accuracy to the music! I have seen other DIY clamps, but many were to high & narrow, in my opinion. This clamp is 1 1/2" high & able to clear the dust covers of all my turntables if I choose to play them with the dust cover down. It came out weighing 365g. I have read that this is a suitable weight for all turntables?
 

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Wouldnt that be called a record weight? Not bashing just wondering cause i dont see how it would clamp the the spindle.
 
Very nice and cool that you could get one custom made for only $40. Did you just give them the spec you wanted? I've been wanting to do something similar but kept thinking it would be cost prohibitive, but $40 is less than retail.
 
Bob_in_OKC said:
In this context, clamp and weight are often used interchangeably...and not incorrectly so.
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement - whether by weight, by screw assembly, or by spring load they all clamp the record to the platter.
Regards,
Jim
BTW Great looking Clamp!
 
Darrellss said:
Very nice and cool that you could get one custom made for only $40. Did you just give them the spec you wanted? I've been wanting to do something similar but kept thinking it would be cost prohibitive, but $40 is less than retail.
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I will post the specs this evening. I would suggest going to a small local machine shop. I went to a large machine shop & they quoted me $115.00 / 2 hrs. labour. OUTRAGEOUS! This is a simple part and shouldn't take any good machinist more than an hour!
 
Darrellss said:
Very nice and cool that you could get one custom made for only $40. Did you just give them the spec you wanted? I've been wanting to do something similar but kept thinking it would be cost prohibitive, but $40 is less than retail.
Click to expand...

Here are the specs.
 

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Looks good. I am a machinist and $40 is a VERY good price. You must have caught them on a slow day, or in need of lunch money. I like the knurl on the top, nice idea, yours I take it? I didn't look at your plan...

Here's one I turned, and use most of the time. It has zero aesthetic appeal and is strictly for function. It's super heavy at around 2 lbs.

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"Looks good. I am a machinist and $40 is a VERY good price. You must have caught them on a slow day, or in need of lunch money."

It is a good price. I suggested in a previous post going to a small machine shop for this reason. In my area & in these hard times they are happy to take small "filler" jobs.
I have also been a fabricator for many years & it is a pretty simple part!
 
ehoove said:
I agree with this statement - whether by weight, by screw assembly, or by spring load they all clamp the record to the platter.
Regards,
Jim
BTW Great looking Clamp!
Click to expand...

I don't agree with this statement. A clamp adds pressure far beyond what a weight will do, and can do it with less weight as it is not limited by gravity.

A weight can only apply the weight it has as mass.

Clamps and weights, apples and oranges.
 
lightweight clamps tend to suit suspended turntables better than weights...
nice weight btw :thmbsp: ...i'd be reluctant to paint it.. would look great anodised though..:scratch2:
 
melofelo said:
lightweight clamps tend to suit suspended turntables better than weights...
nice weight btw :thmbsp: ...i'd be reluctant to paint it.. would look great anodised though..:scratch2:
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Thanks. I read that any turntable can handle an additional 10% of it's platter weight & not damage the bearings. For suspended turntables, a record weight weighing between 360g - 390g is suitable??
Why would you be reluctant to paint it? In a satin black finish, it would match my turntables nicely. I agree an anodised finish would be NICE, but might be too glossy for the finish I'm looking for.
 
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Brothers by different Mothers ??

outlawmws said:
I don't agree with this statement. A clamp adds pressure far beyond what a weight will do, and can do it with less weight as it is not limited by gravity.

A weight can only apply the weight it has as mass.

Clamps and weights, apples and oranges.
Click to expand...

I don't find your apples to oranges comment to have merit. They still all clamp the record to the platter. Other types exert more pressure on the vinyl, but how much is really needed to accomplish the task at hand? I never could tell the difference between the Project screw down clamp and my weight type clamp. They both improved the sound of the record non-clamped the same to my ears, so to me they are the same just get there through different physical methods. IMHO

You are correct that the screw type can do it with less weight, and that could be an advantage on some tables. But since the Thoren's stabilizer weighs 3 time more than my clamp, I'm sure it is fine for my TD160. One last note: I personally don't like subjecting my vinyl to the needed threads on the spindle required by a screw on clamp when putting a record on the spindle. A small item, but a bothersome one for me.
Regards,
Jim
 
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