SL-1350 memo-gram

[ltbetty]

Hi all, haven't posted here in a while but I've been restoring and repairing turntables here Grand Rapids Michigan for some time now and I've repaired various Technics auto start and auto return many times. I wouldn't call myself an expert but maybe the expert in our local community. But this1350 is not playing nice (meaning it's acting like a stubborn child)! I disassembled, cleaned and relubed all the mechanics underneath that drive the auto features. Auto start and return are working properly now as expected. But here's the problem. When I press start, the memo-gram moves to 1 as it should but then only comes down a half step (between 1 and 0) as the arm sets down on the record. But then I press stop, it properly returns to the rest and shuts off. But the memo-gram knob only moves a little bit; not all the way to 0. With the stacking spindle (and 2 records), I set the memo-gram to 2, it starts spinning. I pull start, it drops the record and starts playing as it should. The memo-gram has moved a half step down between 2 and 1. At end of first record, auto return starts. The memo dial actually goes back up to 2 then comes down a half step between 2 and 1! Ugh! Any experts help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ltbetty]

Hi all, haven't posted here in a while but I've been restoring and repairing turntables here Grand Rapids Michigan for some time now and I've repaired various Technics auto start and auto return many times. I wouldn't call myself an expert but maybe the expert in our local community. But this1350 is not playing nice (meaning it's acting like a stubborn child)! I disassembled, cleaned and relubed all the mechanics underneath that drive the auto features. Auto start and return are working properly now as expected. But here's the problem. When I press start, the memo-gram moves to 1 as it should but then only comes down a half step (between 1 and 0) as the arm sets down on the record. But then I press stop, it properly returns to the rest and shuts off. But the memo-gram knob only moves a little bit; not all the way to 0. With the stacking spindle (and 2 records), I set the memo-gram to 2, it starts spinning. I pull start, it drops the record and starts playing as it should. The memo-gram has moved a half step down between 2 and 1. At end of first record, auto return starts. The memo dial actually goes back up to 2 then comes down a half step between 2 and 1! Ugh! Any experts help would be greatly appreciated.

Well, no replies yet, but I figured it out myself. So, for anyone searching for how to fix the auto features (including the changer features) and especially the memo repeat function of Technics 1350, 1650, 1950 and all of those in-between that have the repeat function, here's the important part of the repair:
Disassembling completely is a must. You might get away with shooting moving parts with a little WD40, and it might even loosen up some of the old, hard grease, but in time you'll end up right back where you started. Case in point...the SL-1350 I just finished was doing the typical, well known, arm moving all the way to the end of the record. Disassembling the mechanical parts, thoroughly cleaning them then applying a drop of Tri-Flow oil on the post and phono lube on the other moving parts easily fixed that issue. Since you're in there, it only makes sense to disassemble ALL moving parts and clean and relube them. I use Tri-Flow on any post that a plastic part rides on and a very light coat of phono lube on any parts that move back and fourth on each other. This week, in fixing this table, I had forgotten to remove arm that is spring loaded which moves the memo dial. This error results in the memo dial moving in half steps. I removed this arm, cleaned it thoroughly, put a drop of oil on the post and reassembled. Now the memo dial moves in full steps as it should. Hope this helps anyone else working on the Technics tables with the memo-gram repeat feature.

 

[Montycat]

Thanks for coming back with the details of the repair. It could help later.

 

[Music2Myear]

My sl-1950 was doing that when I got it a good clean and re-lube did the trick. I use these to re-lube . cheers

 

[ltbetty]

Yes Montycat, absolutely. If you Google search any if these issues with this model line you find a few posts, but nothing in great detail and often only addressing one issue. I just wish I knew more about how to post in the forums (such as inserting a photo mid paragraph or inserting a video). Anyway, I hope it helps others.

 

[ltbetty]

My sl-1950 was doing that when I got it a good clean and re-lube did the trick. I use these to re-lubeView attachment 1875389 . cheers

Very cool. I'm familiar with super lube but haven't used it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Music2Myear]

Very cool. I'm familiar with super lube but haven't used it. Thanks for sharing.

Its worth a read up on it ,works very well , HD sells it....cheers

 

[ltbetty]

Its worth a read up on it ,works very well , HD sells it....cheers

Ordered today! Thanks for the tip!