Tonearm bounces

[DenzilT]

I have a Technics SL-1600. When the record ends and goes along the arm lift to return to the arm rest the tonearm bounces just as it starts to reach the arm rest. I tried turning the adjustment screw at the base of the arm lift counterclockwise and got it to turn a little. Turning it counter clockwise does help to a degree but the tone arm still bounces. I thought I read if the cartridge is too heavy it can cause the tonearm to bounce. The cartridge is an Audio-Technica. I dont know what model it is but its a budget model with a yellow body. Could this be a problem or is there an easy solution? Thank you for your comments

 

[ear4audio]

My guess is the braking mechanism is too abrupt. Check the service manual to see if there is an adjustment to slow down the movement when it reaches the arm rest.

 

[DenzilT]

Is the tone arm not reaching the arm rest, but just sits there stalled and bouncing?

FWIW, the arm lift cushion adjustment screw can be turned a lot more easily if you push the cushion down with your finger, which frees the screw head up.

Welcome to AK!

 

[DenzilT]

Needlestein.
I had been pushing the cushion adjustment screw down with the cueing lever up.
After reading your post I pushed the cushion adjustment down with the cueing lever down.
It seemed like either up or down I could only get the screw to turn counterclockwise maybe at most 1/8 inch and before I couldn't turn it anymore for fear of breaking something.
However, the big difference since I turned the adjustment screw with the cueing lever down and the cushion down is I think (fingers crossed) it solved the problem! I tried a couple albums and it works great.

Thank you for welcoming me to a great group!

 

[Insidegroove]

Similar questions here. My tonearm was a bit ‘bouncy’ in the same manner. I cleaned and greased the damping mechanism and it’s much better now; including the slower, smoother dropping of the tonearm.

Still, the arm has an extra little lift upon starting and returning. (See video below.) Does anyone know how to adjust this to eliminate that extra lift? Is it even necessary?

Also, when I cleaned and greased the post that is part of the damping mechanism, the plate that is removed from the post would not come off the post. The sheath (attached to the plate) that the post goes into would slide up and down on the post a little, but I never got full access to the entire post. However, I was able to grease enough of the post to get the result I was after.

Still, I’m wondering if anyone has encountered that plate problem and whether I missed a step. There is a video on YouTube where the presenter takes the plate (and sheath) right off the post.

 

[dankik]

Does this help?
Since the "extra lift" occurs as the tonearm is positioned just before the tonearm rest, my guess is that it is there to give it a little extra height to clear the lip of the rest before it lowers down?

 

[Insidegroove]

Does this help?
Since the "extra lift" occurs as the tonearm is positioned just before the tonearm rest, my guess is that it is there to give it a little extra height to clear the lip of the rest before it lowers down?
View attachment 3672280

A bit, thank you. I turned the adjustment screw counterclockwise (the screw on mine is not hexagonal, just the standard flathead) and now that extra little kick is lessened on the return; it’s unchanged upon starting, though. The kick is independent from the arm lift bar:

 

[dankik]

Here is a video of a SL-1600 using automatic play. It does not bump up like yours.
Start watching at 29:50 to see it play.
SL-1600 Tonearm Lift

 

[Insidegroove]

Here is a video of a SL-1600 using automatic play. It does not bump up like yours.
Start watching at 29:50 to see it play.
SL-1600 Tonearm Lift

Exactly. That’s what I’d like to accomplish.
I’m not bothered that much by it but I’d like at least to find out whether the cause could be damaging in any way. Best case, I diagnose it and fix her up.
(That’s the video I watched to learn how to get to the dampening mechanism.)