The turntable history presented here is almost unparalleled in the history of any audio component that has been written about, particularly concerning the length of time the author spent on ferreting out sometimes obscure bits of history. I recently bought a beautiful and well kept 598-1 Troubador. There is only a small amount of corrosion on the tonearm where it touches the arm rest. However the dust cover is a little difficult to set properly and some of the screws are loose, however it does do what it's supposed to do without falling down. However there is a very thin bead of glue on the inside of the dustcover where wood meets glass. The quality of this work is almost impossible to see and the glue is almost translucent. But this glue does not go all the way around the inside and some of the screws are loose on the area where the dustcover mounts to the plinth. I'm wondering if this is something that was done at the factory or was it done later by someone who wanted to keep the glass from loosening from the wood. Whoever did, whether factory or the previous original owner of the table did an excellent job. However, the glue seems to hold the unit too close between glass and wood and it is therefore slightly difficult to get the dustcover to expand enough to fit the mount. One side seems to have slightly more glue than the other. I'm just wondering if this is a factory job or one done to ensure that the glass does not separate from the wood creating a mess and probably breaking the glass., If it is not original I'm thinking of taking an Exacto knife and removing the glue. That way the dust cover would not be so "tight fitting" such that the it is impossible to place properly on the mounting area. Could anyone who has a dust cover for their table for a 598-1 and take a look to see if this glue is on their unit? If several people respond I might be able to make a proper decision on whether to remove it I've only had this unit for a few days but I can already see how well engineered and lathed the whole unit is. The tolerances used must have been a huge contributing factor in how well thee tables are regarded. and how they hold up.
If the glue is not original then I will need to remove it promptly by the Exacto knife method (or if anyone has any other thoughts on how to remove this glue if THE dustcover glue if it is not original to the system then let me know. Right now it is a little tight but I worry whether someone tried to tie up a lot of loose ends in the dustcover by adding glue, which does make it more stable but perhaps not original but perhaps slightly safer with children around, bu we don't have any children so I'm willing to get it back to normal if that glue was not put on at the factory. Since the glue is only on one side and not all the way around the dustcover system, I presume it is not original. But I really don't know.
Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to stop the tonearm from corroding further, I'm sure that everyone who is dealing with this problem would greatly appreciate it.
First...thank you very much!! I appreciate the kind words.
To your question though...this is a peculiar situation. The 598 series *usually* came with a -plastic- paned dust cover. The plastic inside the wood frame is clear, flexible, and lightweight.
But your saying it's actual glass, which is quite unusual for a first generation 598. The last run of 598III's sometimes had a glass dust cover, similar to what was standard on the 698, so I'm wondering if your cover was a custom job to replace a cracked plastic pane, a replacement from Empire during the 698 era so it is the one found on the 698, or done by the original owner just for cosmetic purposes. (The plastic does tend to give an aura of cheapness to it, at least I feel it does.)
My stock 598 dust cover shows no glue along the perimeter, though there is evidence of glue where it meets the wood and the wood strip in the front. I can see why someone would glue it as the plastic does have some wobble play on mine, adding to the "cheap" impression of it.
I don't know how trimming this glue would benefit or change the snugness of it's fit on the hinges though. That "snugness" is another reason I wonder if it was a replacement, repair, or custom job done by contractor or handyman and they got the measurements just slightly off. Plus you cant tell if the glue would still be pliable to slice off like you suggest. It could also "break off" leaving you with a jagged edge making it look worse than it does now and potentially weaken the bond. If the job is as good as you say, I'd leave it alone. Remember: spare parts for these beasts no longer exist!!
Unavoidable tolerance differences from parts made at widely spaced time intervals might also explain the not too great fit if it is a stock Empire cover made at a later date bought as a replacement.
Are you saying the hinges and screws on the hinge board are loose? That would be common from years of use, and I would re-read my warning about trying to tighten them and the best way to go about it.
Is the glass clear or tinted on your dust cover? Does it have the Empire logo on the top, front left side? This will go a ways to determining if it is a true Empire dust cover. Some pictures would help in this regard.
You can't stop the metal corrosion. Look on vintage car websites for discussions about "pot metal" and you'll learn how and why it is unavoidable. It's the nature of the beast, sadly.
Play some LP's on it when you have it running up to snuff. You may just get addicted to the unit. 
