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Prepping a Russco turntable..

No, not the Bodine. It’s the other type (Syntec?). Regarding other comments/Questions, no rubbing or contact from sub-chassis. Whatever the sound is, it’s coming from the motor itself. I will try to record it and post a link to my YouTube channel.
 
Being a Lenco guy over in Europe I probably have no business in this thread. But idlers are idlers and it's interesting to read about other brands and models using this drive method :-).

But regarding humming motors.
Lenco motors can sometimes develop a hum caused by the coils in the stator housing coming loose starting to vibrate with the line frequency. Just like coils in power transformers in some vintage amps can develop hums.
Can this maybe be going on in this case?
Just a thought...

On Lencos this can be fix by regluing the coils in the housing.
 
That makes sense. That would explain why it sounds like a 60hz humm…but at a higher frequency (maybe by an octave) which I know sounds ridiculous but that’s my impression, as well as the slight buzzing. Thank you for your input!
 
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T68 said:
Being a Lenco guy over in Europe I probably have no business in this thread. But idlers are idlers and it's interesting to read about other brands and models using this drive method :).

But regarding humming motors.
Lenco motors can sometimes develop a hum caused by the coils in the stator housing coming loose starting to vibrate with the line frequency. Just like coils in power transformers in some vintage amps can develop hums.
Can this maybe be going on in this case?
Just a thought...

On Lencos this can be fix by regluing the coils in the housing.
Click to expand...
This could also be part of what I am dealing with in my RCA thread…the wires coming from the motor are carrying vibrations.
 
Here are two links to videos. First with the platter on. Second with the platter off. There are obviously more issues than just the motor.
The idler is new so I’m not sure why I’m getting noise and ringing from the platter. I set the tension using Russco’s guidelines. I’ve been working on the base for the Tonearm. Next task is to clean and inspect the motor.


 
OBSerious said:
Here are two links to videos. First with the platter on. Second with the platter off. There are obviously more issues than just the motor.
The idler is new so I’m not sure why I’m getting noise and ringing from the platter. I set the tension using Russco’s guidelines. I’ve been working on the base for the Tonearm. Next task is to clean and inspect the motor.


Click to expand...

Most of he time ringing is related to incorrect platter height….the idler pressure actually controls fine speed adjustment, and needs to be done after warm up.

Also, what oil did you use in the shaft well?

Andy
 
adnick said:
Most of he time ringing is related to incorrect platter height….the idler pressure actually controls fine speed adjustment, and needs to be done after warm up.

Also, what oil did you use in the shaft well?

Andy
Click to expand...
Hi Andy,
I used a bearing oil (liquid bearng) that is purported to be the “Best” according to their description on eBay and other sites. I’m planning on using the 20-30 weight synthetic oil that folks here are recommending. Am I correct in assuming that the height is determined by the screw at the bottom of the spindle bearing? In other words, the one that keeps all if the oil from leaking out?
Thanks for your feedback. J
 

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OBSerious said:
Hi Andy,
I used a bearing oil (liquid bearng) that is purported to be the “Best” according to their description on eBay and other sites. I’m planning on using the 20-30 weight synthetic oil that folks here are recommending. Am I correct in assuming that the height is determined by the screw at the bottom of the spindle bearing? In other words, the one that keeps all if the oil from leaking out?
Thanks for your feedback. J
Click to expand...

Yeah it’s the shaft well grub screw, and the type oil will effect speed and even noise to some degree..
 
Hey Andy,
I raised the platter as you advised. Much improved! The hex nut does not entirely cover the grub screw so I may lower it a bit since that seems like an unlikely design on the part of the Russco engineers. Thanks so much!

J
 
OBSerious said:
Hey Andy,
I raised the platter as you advised. Much improved! The hex nut does not entirely cover the grub screw so I may lower it a bit since that seems like an unlikely design on the part of the Russco engineers. Thanks so much!

J
Click to expand...
Glad it helped, fine adjustments slightly change things but it isn’t critical…..

Andy
 
Just a quick update on my progress. The motor hum remains. The new idler is still a bit noisy but I am attributing that to corrosion on the pulley. Wired it up and am running it through a crappy dedicated Phono pre. It sounds really good! I’m using a refurbished pair of Pioneer CS-51 bookshelf speakers because all my other gear is in storage. I’m not sure if it’s the Stanton 500 cart or what but this Russco has a much meatier and punchy signature compared to my Pioneer Pl41 belt drive. I’m very happy. Next up is wiring the tone arm in a more permanent way, securing the plinth and getting my tube amp and better speakers into the house without panicking my wife.
 
OBSerious said:
Just a quick update on my progress. The motor hum remains. The new idler is still a bit noisy but I am attributing that to corrosion on the pulley. Wired it up and am running it through a crappy dedicated Phono pre. It sounds really good! I’m using a refurbished pair of Pioneer CS-51 bookshelf speakers because all my other gear is in storage. I’m not sure if it’s the Stanton 500 cart or what but this Russco has a much meatier and punchy signature compared to my Pioneer Pl41 belt drive. I’m very happy. Next up is wiring the tone arm in a more permanent way, securing the plinth and getting my tube amp and better speakers into the house without panicking my wife.
Click to expand...
That’s good to hear because although I’ve enjoyed my 41, I have a lead on some Russcos locally if the guy can find them in his storage unit. I’ve purchased an N.O.S. Syntec S220 arm and am looking forward to seeing what the big idler thing is about. Good luck with the wife thing.
 
Blackdog61 said:
That’s good to hear because although I’ve enjoyed my 41, I have a lead on some Russcos locally if the guy can find them in his storage unit. I’ve purchased an N.O.S. Syntec S220 arm and am looking forward to seeing what the big idler thing is about. Good luck with the wife thing.
Click to expand...
I’ve enjoyed getting this thing up and running. It’s not a cheap proposition unless you get in on the bottom. I paid $100 for mine. The MicroTrak was likely an anomaly since it came with a working cartridge for about $150. The idler cost $60 shipped from Ukraine. The Syntec was my second choice since it was a common TA for broadcast use or so I’m told.
My point is that the cost stacks up pretty fast and as has been stated, there might be better deals to be found with operable offerings from Empire, Rekokut, Dual etc. That said, I’m really happy with what I ended up with and I like the looks as well!. In short, it’s not without issues but thoroughly enjoyable!
 
For clarification, the Russcos seem to be overpriced given the condition and “as is” status that most are sold under. The other TT’s I mentioned are typically in somewhat better condition to start with though they come with a higher price tag. My two cents.
 
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OBSerious said:
For clarification, the Russcos seem to be overpriced given the condition and “as is” starus that most are sold under. The other TT’s I mentioned are typically in somewhat better condition to start with though they come with a higher price tag. My two cents.
Click to expand...
I check daily and it’s pretty obvious that most of the available examples will need quite a bit of work, as is to be expected after running 24/7 for many years and then thrown into a shed, barn or such.
 
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