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New Project Very Early TD 124

adnick

adnick

Addicted Member
Well as many of you are aware I’m a big idler fan…..and belt fan and DD fan :rolleyes:

So one idler is heading for a new home and the TD 124 is coming to fill the void, it’s a 4 digit serial number, hard to tell for sure from the photos but looks like 5662

This is a table that was on my list to have in my personal collection so I’ve had a plinth design concept in my head for a while; actually a few different ones, and as with my Fairchild 412 plinth build I’ll share my top 2 or 3 concept drawings in the near future.

Will be using most of the tried and true TD 124 refurbish parts from Audiosilente except the new idler will be a custom made Delrin replacement.

Should also give some kudos for help finding a rare part that it needed to @musiqlovr and Ray at https://www.classichifi-shop.co.uk/

They really saved me a lot of hassle and money :thumbsup:

Here’s a few photos of the impending project:

ED57CDF6-49D5-4C37-891D-C4AAB12E9D7F.jpeg 924E4677-7D4B-4EFE-AE37-955FD40CBC1B.jpeg C351D4DF-D1AA-4D50-A2FF-561553DAD8EA.jpeg 09BC47BD-A640-48D0-9DB7-B896CFE375CF.jpeg C95B21CD-7D1D-436D-B483-C2BDB920C15F.jpeg

Will probably not get really into this until the 2nd week of January…

VR
Andy
 
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The speed change/selector band (steel ribbon) CBE 771 was damaged.

Had contacted several of the normal sources to no avail, finally Hanze showed 1 in stock but then refunded my purchase said Schopper AG use to make a facsimile but they discontinued them.

Just about resolved to make my own when Steve (@musiqlovr ) suggested contacting Ray, to my delight he had a spare and the price, including shipping, was less than just shipping from Hanze….

VR
Andy
 
Looking forward to it also;)

Seems UPS is more like USPS right now, estimated delivery date is 5 Jan…..as a side note, ordered parts from Audiosilente early on the 23rd, no special shipping instructions, they arrived from Italy on the 27th via FedEx :thumbsup:

First thing is to take it apart and put it back together cleaned, lubed and functioning (original state). It’s my normal practice with tables I’m going to “modify” with updated parts and such.

When it’s back together and operating as intended, I’ll do some testing to determine a performance baseline, then the modifications start. All part of my OCD:cool:


VR
Andy
 
Congrats. Have two of these. Well worth the time and effort. One I reconditioned myself. The other was sent to Jim Campbell. I prefer the early version vs the MKII. Personal preference for the look.
 
MRL_Audio said:
Congrats. Have two of these. Well worth the time and effort. One I reconditioned myself. The other was sent to Jim Campbell. I prefer the early version vs the MKII. Personal preference for the look.
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Thanks, 2 would be nice, I’ll have to settle for one:thumbsup:

I’m with you on the early models, had passed up a couple of the II’s trying to find one of the first generation….

I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of pages on the TD124 and had discussions, with @musiqlovr, @BillWojo and Steve Clarke (theanalogdept) reference them. Any specific advice you’d offer from your personal experience?

What arms did you end up with?

VR
Andy
 
I've had numerous arms on mine. From a SME 3009 II Non-Improved to a Grado Micro and Grado Labratory. Have an Ortofon RS-212 on one and an EMT 997 12" clone on the other right now. The 212 is a gem. Using a SPU Classic GM E cartridge and stylus on that one. The EMT has a Grace F9L on it. I have no complaints.
 
I am running an Alfred Brokland arm and I love it...he sells on ebay but I actually bought mine preowned in the US from someone...

I would like to get an original older Ortofon like the 297 (just to match the time period better) but the Brokland works for now
 
I’ve got a few “period correct” decent tonearms and one of the EMT 997 clones, but it will probably stay with Russco Studio Pro.

Steve the Brokland arms appear to come in many configurations, which one do you have?
 
I was buying a SAEC WE308 for one of these buy the seller bailed on me at the last minute... eventually bought one from a member here but used it on a KD500.
 
Been designing and rethinking my plinth designs:confused:, on the original arm board I’ll probably use the ESL 1000 that’s 100% original with SPU type headshell and even came with a Shure MD3 in great condition. It will match up nicely period wise and there’s aftermarket adjustable headshells for it if the mood hits me…

One plinth design in consideration would have arm boards on each side for 10-12” arms, so one could forego the original arm location. Still in the concept phase at the moment but want the plinth balanced in appearance with equal space on each side of the original casting.

Probably as clear as mud:blah:
 
MRL_Audio said:
Worth tracking one down. By far the best arm I own.
Click to expand...

I almost bid on a ‘table with a WE-308, but decided against it in the end due to the nonstandard SAEC alignment which I find not very many people agree with. Have you not found that to be an issue? I may try out one of their arms that have a more standard offset angle.
 
+1 on @musiqlovr's Bokrand recommendation

I have the "Ortofon and EMT style" 12" tonearms and love them both. :thumbsup:
51726329436_e13563a40d_b.jpg

TD124II + AS309
49967143806_5f5b83271e_b.jpg

TD124 + AB309

PS: You may want to try "spring mounting" the TD124 motor.
 
Nice looking table, congratulations.

The early versions of the TD-124 used Nylatron main platter spindle bushings. Problem with the material Nylatron is that it expands with heat. My TD-124 (Sn. 12565) utilized Nylatron bushings and would slow down as friction from the spinning main spindle created heat. The record speed would start to slow down after 1 side. The more it spun, the more friction was generated causing the Nylatron to continue expanding. A vicious cycle.
I only realized the Nylatron bushings were causing the slowdown after I fell asleep while playing a record. When I awoke, the bushings had swelled enough to fully seize the spindle. I had to wait till the morning to pull the platter.

Thorens discontinued using Nylatron and switched to sintered bronze (Oilite) bushings. Sintered bronze is porous, sucking in oil when cold and expelling it when hot. They are considered to be self lubricating.
The bushing I see in your photo looks dark, which is exactly what my Nylatron bushings looked like. Sintered Bronze bushings are available for the TD-124 and are not difficult to replace, you can make your own tool to pull out the old and press in the new using threaded rod.

The only thing you have to check for is the O.D. of the original bushings (or the I.D. of the spindle well), there were two sizes.

All the info and parts to restore your TD124 is available on the net.

The TD124 is so straightforward... if you look at it long enough it all makes sense.

Enjoy!
 
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