Thorens TD-165 belt issue

[TimLaV68]

Recently purchased a new drive belt (part#6800574) for my TD-165. Upon start up the platter and tonearm 'shutter' for a second or so before it stabilizes. Has anyone experienced this

 

[bang4buck]

Welcome to the forum.

Does it have the original Thorens drive pulley? It has a clutch mechanism that’s supposed to prevent this.

With a fixed pulley, this is indeed normal. The motor comes up to speed almost instantaneously but the heavy platter doesn’t. So the belt stretches and when it relaxes again, it causes the shudder.

 

[TimLaV68]

Thanks bang4buck. Fixed pulley. Don't know the history of the machine, and my first Thorens. Shure V15-TypeIII, shibata needle aligned with a protractor from our friends at vinyl engine. WOW!

 

[bang4buck]

Nice. My AR XA also does the shudder/dance at startup so I like to use a felt mat and just keep it spinning while I change records. Works well with a little practice, except when the record is a tight fit on the spindle, which is fairly often.

You can also give the platter a little push to help it along. Saves belt wear but you'll find yourself polishing the platter rim a lot.

 

[TimLaV68]

I've found that a 'delicate' little dance (and I mean delicate) with a rat tail file to dress the hole of the albumn makes for a nice fit. Unless I'm way off base. But it seems to respond well to other decks I plop them on. As far as the little push... No biggie. What's another step to a fully manual machine anyway.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Clutched pulley was used in models above the 165. Fixed pulley is correct for the 165.

Talc the belt to reduce the coefficient of friction to allow some slippage and it will calm the chatter.

 

[TimLaV68]

Thanks Blue Shadow. Do I have worry about the talc reducing the overall speed once up to speed?

 

[bob06]

Thanks Blue Shadow. Do I have worry about the talc reducing the overall speed once up to speed?

 

[Blue Shadow]