Technics Dustcover Fix

[stratcat944]

I couldn't resist a couple pics...

Okay, here's a couple shots of my new hinges.

You can see the crack in the photo above. I was really worried about doing more damage so I drilled the aluminum first, then taped it to the underside of the cover and used it as a template. I aligned it with the hinge receptacles on the back of the turntable and made sure it sat square on the deck then drilled it out. I started out with a tiny drill bit, and worked my way through four more, graduating up to the correct size for my bolts.

I used #10-32 bolts and lock nuts by the way. It looks like Reneborg and Boreas may have used some heavier duty hardware on theirs. I didn't drill through the crack but the hole is very close, so I used a #10 flat washers on the nut side just for some extra peace of mind.

Now that I have the hard part done I'm going to break out the Brasso and get to work on polishing it up. That cigarette burn on the top is going to be a ***** to get out.

If I can save anybody some work or heartache with some advice, please let me know. Thanks again all.

~steve

 

[boreas]

Okay, here's a couple shots of my new hinges.

Way to go! It turned out great!

I used #10-32 bolts and lock nuts by the way. It looks like Reneborg and Boreas may have used some heavier duty hardware on theirs. I didn't drill through the crack but the hole is very close, so I used a #10 flat washers on the nut side just for some extra peace of mind.

No, I used exactly the same thing you used.

Now that I have the hard part done I'm going to break out the Brasso and get to work on polishing it up.

Only if you have some of the old formula in the metal container! Brasso changed their product from a liquid in a metal can to a cream in a plastic bottle. The can used to recommend using Brasso on plastic watch crystals. That recommendation is gone from the new formula, apparently for good reason. While I've used the old stuff for years on all sorts of plastic, reports here are that the new stuff won't work.

I just ran out of the old stuff and have been looking into a substitute. I've used Novus plastic polish and the results are comparable to Brasso's but it's much more labor intensive. My next try will be Meguiar's PlastX. There have been good reports on that here.

That cigarette burn on the top is going to be a ***** to get out.

I've had to resort to using sharp objects like the tip of a knife blade to scrape the rough and carbonized material out of the "crater". Then I use a succession of grits of wet or dry sandpaper (lubricated with Brasso :tears to take the rim of the crater down to level. If the crater isn't deep you can keep going but if it is you'll just end up making a bigger low spot. When you get to polishing with a cloth give what remains of the crater some extra attention. to smooth it out. It'll still be low but it will shine up and be less obvious.

John

 

[reneborg]

Stratcat,

That looks great man!

I think I used the same size hardware too 10X

One thing for all of us to consider, you can make the hinge part that goes on the back of the dustcover any size you want. Therefore if there's a crack in the area, one can simply make a slightly oversized hinge and drill accordingly.


For the dustcover, I do this:

1) 600 grit wet sandpaper around really bad areas (gouges)
1000
2000

sometimes I skip the last two if there weren't a lot of gouges and it's a small area.

2) then I use PlasticX, a plastic scratch remover (what you use to get scratches out of headlights), applied with a terry cloth bonnet on a buffer. I do the corners and areas the buffer can't do by hand

I then buff with the buffer bonnet.

3) Next I use Rubbing compound applying (I've got a separate set of bonnets) with terry, buffing, and then hand buffing

Then I use wax applied with foam, and buffed.

There are several threads here to give you ideas and pics. I'm not saying my method is best -- it's just what I worked out after some trial and error. I think I can still tweak it and improve.

 

[stratcat944]

I actually have some Brasso in the old metal can. I use it to buff out iPod scratches. I didn't know about the new formula. I'll definitely snag more if I can find the old stuff again.

I'll probably polish around the burn spot. I'm just happy I can play records and not have to worry about the cat, dust, or dog hair all over my LPs. Thanks again Boreas. I'll be sure to pass this little gem of a fix along.

:guitar:

~steve

 

[stratcat944]

Thanks Rene! I'm going to try to get the obvious scratches and stuff out of the cover and leave it at that. I just want to play some records. :thmbsp:

I got the SL-D202 at the flea market a couple weeks back. It's the same one I had in high school (a long time ago), that's why I got it. I snagged a Pioneer receiver just like the one we had when I worked at Budget Tapes & Records back in the day. I grew up around vinyl and I couldn't believe my ears when I got my "brand new" vintage system set up. Wow! Steely Dan sounds better on wax than CD.

~steve

 

[boreas]

Wow! Steely Dan sounds better on wax than CD.

~steve

.......... and so it begins.

John

 

[reneborg]

Thanks Rene!

XXX Big Snip XXX

Wow! Steely Dan sounds better on wax than CD.

~steve

Steve, that's not ALL that will sound better on records than CDs. Though I do have to say that Steely Dan albums seem to be recorded well, perhaps better than many other artists.

 

[In Tune]

Just found this most excellent informative thread, as I did a search for a Technics dust/cover for my SL D202, (bought it new), and has been sitting for decades..I'm going to resurrect it, and Don't have the Cover...I ve seen some pricey options on the the Bay, but wanted input from this forum, as to alternative options for a reasonable price cover..Also, sadly I am not able to perform any of the repairs/mods that this great OP has shown..Maybe someday..but for know would need to go in another direction..

 

[boreas]

Just found this most excellent informative thread, as I did a search for a Technics dust/cover for my SL D202, (bought it new), and has been sitting for decades..I'm going to resurrect it, and Don't have the Cover...I ve seen some pricey options on the the Bay, but wanted input from this forum, as to alternative options for a reasonable price cover..Also, sadly I am not able to perform any of the repairs/mods that this great OP has shown..Maybe someday..but for know would need to go in another direction..

Hi and thanks for the kind words.

Those reproduction covers at around $100.00 are a bit overpriced, IMO. On the other hand, used ones occasionally show up for a lot less. I picked one up for an SL-D303 for $25.00. That's my only suggestion, really. It may take a little time but they do turn up. The fact that any dustcover for a Technics S-arm turntable that also has those mounting tabs will fit.

But a word of caution: the covers for the P-mount tables aren't tall enough to clear the arm.

John

 

[michael2474]

Very very nice. Looks like it came from the factory! I just picked up a near NIB SL-3200 and wondered what I will do when the tabs finally break. I will keep this for future reference

 

[boreas]

Very very nice. Looks like it came from the factory! I just picked up a near NIB SL-3200 and wondered what I will do when the tabs finally break. I will keep this for future reference

The tabs usually break when you're raising the cover. As you put your fingers under the cover to raise it, the tabs can begin to creep out of the sockets in the hinges. If this happens enough, early enough in the opening, the hinge can snap fully open and catch just the very end of the tab and snap it off.

I've developed a habit for opening the dustcovers that seems to prevent this from happening. Instead of slipping a couple of fingers under the cover I press my thumbs against the front and my fingers against the sides and raise it that way. This tends to direct some of the force rearward so that the tabs can't creep out.

John

 

[KrisM]

Thanks for the great info!:thmbsp:
I read this thread awhile back, after picking up an SL-Q3. One of the "nubs" was broken, but there was still enough left to make it workable. I was careful when opening it, but I wondered how long it would last. Well, I have my answer, Father's Day. I turned my back on my toddler and she decided to open it up. I'm guessing she torqued/twisted it a bit. I kinda knew the day was going to come when it gave out, honestly I thought it might me to do it.

I have a question. On the broken side, there is about a 1/16th of an inch left. Would there be any benefit to leaving it as is(with a bit of clean up) and then cutting the good side to match? Or is flushing it up the best way to go?

Thanks!

 

[thedelihaus]

Why, thank you, Deli! Praise from the master!

John

Just fixed one of these tables for my niece (internal damage from rough handling). Same issue with the dustcover hinges too, which I have not fixed.

Got any extras kicking around?:scratch2:

 

[boreas]

I have a question. On the broken side, there is about a 1/16th of an inch left. Would there be any benefit to leaving it as is(with a bit of clean up) and then cutting the good side to match? Or is flushing it up the best way to go?

Thanks!

I can't think of a reason for leaving any of the "remains" of the old tabs in place. In fact, If I understand what you're contemplating, the combined thickness of the new aluminum tab and the old plastic would be too thick to fit into the slot in the hinge.

With the right saw, removing all the old tab is pretty simple and the end result will be better. Good luck!

John

 

[boreas]

Just fixed one of these tables for my niece (internal damage from rough handling). Same issue with the dustcover hinges too, which I have not fixed.

Got any extras kicking around?:scratch2:

Broken dustcovers? Sure! I got a million of 'em!

John

 

[KrisM]

I can't think of a reason for leaving any of the "remains" of the old tabs in place. In fact, If I understand what you're contemplating, the combined thickness of the new aluminum tab and the old plastic would be too thick to fit into the slot in the hinge.

With the right saw, removing all the old tab is pretty simple and the end result will be better. Good luck!

John

I was thinking the same thing, but thought I'd ask.
Thanks again.

 

[AaronM]

Brilliant idea!

I'm going to give this a go soon with my SL-D2...

 

[thedelihaus]

Broken dustcovers? Sure! I got a million of 'em!

John

GAH!

 

[boreas]

Just fixed one of these tables for my niece (internal damage from rough handling). Same issue with the dustcover hinges too, which I have not fixed.

Got any extras kicking around?:scratch2:

Okay, the serious answer:

I didn't make up any other tabs at the time and didn't end up with any extra material. I was lucky enough to find a scrap of suitable aluminum angle at a local salvage yard. By combining it with other stuff I was able to meet their minimum order requirements and still spend less than the price of a 3' length of aluminum angle from the Big Orange Box.

Sorry. I would have been happy to make up another set otherwise.

John

 

[thedelihaus]

Okay, the serious answer:

I didn't make up any other tabs at the time and didn't end up with any extra material. I was lucky enough to find a scrap of suitable aluminum angle at a local salvage yard. By combining it with other stuff I was able to meet their minimum order requirements and still spend less than the price of a 3' length of aluminum angle from the Big Orange Box.

Sorry. I would have been happy to make up another set otherwise.

John

No sweat, John:thmbsp:. I looked for aluminum angle today at Lowes but only could turn up steel angle. Not ideal, as any cutting is going to be done with my dremel...

I was even thinking making my own from some fibreglass cloth and resin. But my fibreglass kit seems to have gone off wandering.....