New (to me) Thorens td-124
- Thread starter jkvw
- Start date
I ended up using a flat blade screw driver to very carefully scrape it off. It still wasnt easy but eventually I got it off to the point where I couldnt find it to take a picture and cant feel it anymore. No noise while it's spinning.
I also took the opportunity to try to improve the vibration of the motor by removing the back and resetting it. Then slowly tightening each screw as I listened to it rotate. It still vibrates a bit but with the new mounts I think it is negligible.
Next I decided to try to raise the ... half circle thing that pushes up the outer platter ... because mine scraped while it was lifted and the inner platter turned. Those nuts were hard to turn but eventually I got it. Nice and quiet now when the platter is lifted.
Then, finally I installed the new mushrooms and knobs and dropped it into the new plinth! Milestone moment.
The plinth is honestly much bigger than I thought and very heavy. I would probably order the shorter version if I could do it again. Still looks cool though and adds a modern touch.
Before I started phase 2 work you could hear the motor, pulley and idler turning. Now I can't detect any sound at all.
Next is to remount the tonearm to the original board. I decided not to cut up the new board yet since I will probably invest in a new tonearm at some point.
I also took the opportunity to try to improve the vibration of the motor by removing the back and resetting it. Then slowly tightening each screw as I listened to it rotate. It still vibrates a bit but with the new mounts I think it is negligible.
Next I decided to try to raise the ... half circle thing that pushes up the outer platter ... because mine scraped while it was lifted and the inner platter turned. Those nuts were hard to turn but eventually I got it. Nice and quiet now when the platter is lifted.
Then, finally I installed the new mushrooms and knobs and dropped it into the new plinth! Milestone moment.
The plinth is honestly much bigger than I thought and very heavy. I would probably order the shorter version if I could do it again. Still looks cool though and adds a modern touch.
Before I started phase 2 work you could hear the motor, pulley and idler turning. Now I can't detect any sound at all.
Next is to remount the tonearm to the original board. I decided not to cut up the new board yet since I will probably invest in a new tonearm at some point.
Finally back together with the Castagna tonearm. Took some time to setup the Castagna and I still dont think I have it perfect.
Had a ground problem when I first listened to it ao I had to ground the chassis and the tonearm. Now it is perfectly quiet except for a quiet rumble from speakers with the motor running and needle on the record.
It sounds amazing! I dont think I've ever heard "vertical" space from any source material before.
Had a ground problem when I first listened to it ao I had to ground the chassis and the tonearm. Now it is perfectly quiet except for a quiet rumble from speakers with the motor running and needle on the record.
It sounds amazing! I dont think I've ever heard "vertical" space from any source material before.
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adnick
Addicted Member
Nice, what kind of plinth is that? Is it from the guy in Moldova?
I think phase 3 will be to replace the motor bushings, idler wheel, and take a look at the stepped pulley again. Maybe just order a new one. And a dust cover. Though I like how yours is protected without a bulky cover.
I think phase 3 will be to replace the motor bushings, idler wheel, and take a look at the stepped pulley again. Maybe just order a new one. And a dust cover. Though I like how yours is protected without a bulky cover.
I don't remember who or where I bought my plinth from, it was a few years ago. Definitely not like the current offerings from Moldova which are layered, my plinth is hollow and is stamped "Made in Switzerland". Its compact design fits in my cabinet.
I've kept my turntables in a cabinet since I became a parent. Kids are curious and can be careless.
At this point it's just easier for me to deal with than a dustcover.
One turntable is for play, the other is for show
Makes a lot of sense.
adnick
Addicted Member
Rich:
That’s a very fine cabinet,
especially coupled with your fantastic array of equipment….One of these days I’m going to build one with a glass font to hold 2 or 3 tables, but that’s down the road a far piece and the Lord may call me home before a sketch of it is put to paper
However there’s concept rattling around in my noggin 
VR
Andy
Andy,
I bought those cabinets right after my 2 year old son plucked the cantilever from my Grado Signature 8. He's 34 now and knows I'll never forgive him!
But when given lemons we make lemonade... so I upgraded to the Sonata series and couldn't be happier, except for the rabbit hole I went down.
Anyway, I like the idea of a component cabinet on wheels so I can get behind it.
You're a talented woodworker, have you ever used dovetail joinery? I didn't have the time to build my 124's plinth, but years ago I built a cabinet to hold my CD collection using a Leigh dovetail jig. The carcass is so strong, it slid down my stairs and crashed while I was moving it. No damage at all.
I glued up the panels using long boards so I could wrap the grain. I have 6 drawer faces, just never bothered to attach them because it's so functional as is.
That'll be a project for when I retire.
I bought those cabinets right after my 2 year old son plucked the cantilever from my Grado Signature 8. He's 34 now and knows I'll never forgive him!
But when given lemons we make lemonade... so I upgraded to the Sonata series and couldn't be happier, except for the rabbit hole I went down.
Anyway, I like the idea of a component cabinet on wheels so I can get behind it.
You're a talented woodworker, have you ever used dovetail joinery? I didn't have the time to build my 124's plinth, but years ago I built a cabinet to hold my CD collection using a Leigh dovetail jig. The carcass is so strong, it slid down my stairs and crashed while I was moving it. No damage at all.
I glued up the panels using long boards so I could wrap the grain. I have 6 drawer faces, just never bothered to attach them because it's so functional as is.
That'll be a project for when I retire.
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adnick
Addicted Member
Rich:
That’s some really outstanding work
Yes dovetails are a right of passage as a woodworker, my ability to do them quickly and competently was due to Rob Cosman, and a week long handtool woodworking course he hosts for wounded warriors, it’s called the” Purple Heart Project “ here’s some of mine, all by hand…
Amp rack
Big ones
Tool cabinet
Use dovetails for all the drawers I build so probably have done thousands by now…
VR
Andy
adnick
Addicted Member
Rich:
Thanks, but honestly believe that if I can do it then most can accomplish it with a little help/practice. One thing of note is that Rob Cosman teaches Dovetails in one day, and that to some that have no woodworking experience, I’ve seen it done…..
Plus I’d also like to live closer to some of the people I’ve meet on AK i’d be glad to exchange skill knowledge, because i’d be the beneficiary in most cases
Andy
Thanks, but honestly believe that if I can do it then most can accomplish it with a little help/practice. One thing of note is that Rob Cosman teaches Dovetails in one day, and that to some that have no woodworking experience, I’ve seen it done…..
Plus I’d also like to live closer to some of the people I’ve meet on AK
i’d be glad to exchange skill knowledge, because i’d be the beneficiary in most casesAndy
Lapslah
Super Member
Is there some psychological link between being a woodworker and owning a TD124? The world may never know...
Nice work, fellas. Here's some of mine.
The curved dovetails on my stacked plinth were done using a new (to me) technique with a jig on the table saw. The cherry splines on the corners of my rolling stereo rack go all the way through the joints for support. The compound cuts on the corners were a fun challenge.
Andy, I love my workbench, but yours is a thing of beauty!
As proof of the saying "If your husband says he'll do something, there's no need to nag him about it every 6 months", my current project is a cherry nightstand/chest to match the first one I built 20-some years ago.
Nice work, fellas. Here's some of mine.
The curved dovetails on my stacked plinth were done using a new (to me) technique with a jig on the table saw. The cherry splines on the corners of my rolling stereo rack go all the way through the joints for support. The compound cuts on the corners were a fun challenge.
Andy, I love my workbench, but yours is a thing of beauty!
As proof of the saying "If your husband says he'll do something, there's no need to nag him about it every 6 months", my current project is a cherry nightstand/chest to match the first one I built 20-some years ago.
adnick
Addicted Member
@Lapslah I’m always humbled by accolades from others, especially when they are just as talented, or in most cases, more talented than I 
That’s some fine work,you’ve done there and pushed your comfort level? You may also be right about some correlation between woodworking and the TD124
The workbench was a monumental accomplishment for myself, and the end result is way above my abilities, not sure how I accomplished the task but it took me over a year to finish. It’s 10 feet long, made from reclaimed wood out of our 1905 home refurbishment, and the total weight is well over 1000 pounds.
My regards to all, didn’t mean to take the thread off track,
Andy
That’s some fine work,you’ve done there and pushed your comfort level? You may also be right about some correlation between woodworking and the TD124
The workbench was a monumental accomplishment for myself, and the end result is way above my abilities, not sure how I accomplished the task but it took me over a year to finish. It’s 10 feet long, made from reclaimed wood out of our 1905 home refurbishment, and the total weight is well over 1000 pounds.
My regards to all, didn’t mean to take the thread off track,
Andy
