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Weird SL-1200 Anti-Skate Issue

C

collinjstep

New Member
Hey, guys. I have a Technics SL-1200MK2 and the anti-skate control is acting up really strangely. It seems to function properly, i.e. turning the knob will impart some movement on the tonearm when floating, but any time I turn it above 2 or so, it turns itself back down to a lower number. It almost seems like I'm having to fight the mechanism. I try to use a fairly low tracking force where this issue isn't so prevalent, but I'd still like to try and solve it. I'm not sure if this is a recent issue or not, but this has happened for as long as I've had this turntable (about a year or so).
 
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I'm talking in vague terms, but I believe most common AS mechanisms use a little coil spring, and as the dial is turned, this acts as a tensioner upon the spring and thus varies the rate.

For some reason, your AS Dial isn't staying put, correct, that it is loose in some fashion. How this dial is attached in its housing is beyond me, I never owned a Technics Table in my life, but many others here have no doubt owned this, and numerous other 1200 series tables and can comment better than I.

I might look to see in what fashion this dial may be attached to its housing? with a small screw from underneath? That this screw is somehow slightly loose, and just needs a little snugging? Or?

Hmm, seems you aren't the only one who's experienced this problem. As I sort of figured, there is a screw that holds the dial on. And as mentioned, some wavy washer with the screw as well.
That tells me that this washer is incorporated to basically apply a pre-determined "tension" upon the dial itself. Without such a washer, the dial would either spin freely with no resistance, or be locked solid.

Hope you can see this thread I'll link to.
Who I might also pose your questions to, one expert with the Technics Tables, Kevin over at KAB.

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=115378
 
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You may not have to remove the arm to gain access to this screw to tension it. We're not talking gorilla like force to slightly tighten and snug such a screw. Probably just a mere 1/16th of a turn or so on the screw and your problem will likely be solved.

If there's not much room, can you then possibly use a #1 Phillips Detachable Screwdriver Tip, and merely use such by hand, and held with your fingers to slightly snug the screw?

Can the Arm be raised enough in VTA enough to do this task?
 
Loose Screws! I have a few loose upstairs! LOL Look at my Avatar! A picture says a 1000 words! LOL

Again, hope my comments and insights have helped cured these issues! Best of luck!
 
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