PL-550 ...on the bench...

[jleon92f]

Removing the old vinyl..

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

Got the main panel off...

coming right along..slowly.

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

It's Naked...

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

This vinyl looks better...:thmbsp:

Thanks,
John.

This did not work...

 

[boreas]

This did not work...

Damn, that's too bad. Sorry to hear that, John.

I had a tough time with the PL514 I recovered and actually had to re-do it once. Where I had trouble was at the edges. The material is so thick that it doesn't want to make a sharp 90 degree transition from the horizontal to the vertical. I ended up with lots of bubbles along the edges.

I had to lay the material on the top surface (correctly the first time! no repositioning possible) and, making sure that it didn't start to stick to front, back or sides, smooth it out right to the edges. I then had to forcefully run my finger back and forth along the edges, one edge at a time, to crease the vinyl (still making sure that the vinyl didn't start to grab the other surfaces). I could then wrap it around and smooth it onto the vertical surfaces.

I still had a few bubbles but I was able, with difficulty, to get rid of them by CAREFULLY making tiny cuts with an Xacto knife, corresponding to the little fake grain grooves in the vinyl. I could then force the air out of the bubbles. Some required the EXTREMELY CAREFUL use of a heat gun on the lowest setting to shrink the vinyl over the bubble. Too much heat will cause the adhesive to boil, making it a little lumpy when it cools. This shows on the surface.

All in all, I'm pleased with the results but I'm in no hurry to do it again. On balance, I think it would actually have been easier to do it in real walnut veneer.

John

 

[jleon92f]

The PE vinyl worked out better.



New Vinyl... by jleon92f, on Flickr

It will be back together today!...

Thanks,
John.

 

[Balifly]

Looking very good, John!!!:thmbsp:

 

[jleon92f]

Looking very good, John!!!:thmbsp:

Thanks, it's better than is was before, a lot of work with vinyl.

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

Moving along...


pl-550_again by jleon92f, on Flickr

I am starting to get use to the lighter color..

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

OK, it's Amstel and music time..I will finish the rest tomorrow..


still_works by jleon92f, on Flickr

I know it works and all I have to do is some polishing and hook up the tonearm wires.

Thanks,
John.

 

[jleon92f]

What would be a recommended cartridge for this TT?

Thanks,
John.

 

[pioneervato]

That looks very nice, John. Job well done! I have a 530 that I am working on.

 

[jleon92f]

The 530 is auto or semi-auto?

Great! TT's.

Thanks,
John.

 

[pioneervato]

The 530 is auto or semi-auto?

Great! TT's.

Thanks,
John.

Direct drive and full auto.

 

[boreas]

Direct drive and full auto.

And servo.

Great job, John, as usual!

John

 

[fender23]

I like the lighter color contrasted with silver hardware - nice. I was using a 2M Blue before upgrading to a 2M Bronze in my 518. Both are stellar performers on my Pioneer to my ears.

 

[MAXZ28]

Well done - I'm going to veneer mine in walnut so your thread will be a great reference. :thmbsp:

I have a Pickering XV-15 625E on mine - sounds great.

 

[jleon92f]

Thank you, I am anxious to get this up and playing again.:thmbsp:

I then will need a dust cover.

Thanks,
John.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Excellent work my friend and i like the color choice of the veneer. If you have say an AT110E lying around it might be a good match for the arm or a Naga MP11.

 

[jleon92f]

Excellent work my friend and i like the color choice of the veneer. If you have say an AT110E lying around it might be a good match for the arm or a Naga MP11.

I have a AT15S that came off my Sony before I sold it. I forgot I had this, has a Shibata stylus.:scratch2:

Thanks,
John.