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Wet Dust Bug?

Acespaceman

Acespaceman

Active Member
My latest TT buy came with a Dust Bug, which I had never even heard of before, but the guy I bought it from said it "Cleans the records at the same time you are playing them" OK, great. Well, I tried it out, and it seems like a neat little device, and didn't have a negative effect on the sound of the record being played, at least not that I noticed.

In any case, not one to leave well enough alone, I decided to put a few drops of D4 cleaning solution on the little rollerbrush thingy. WOW! The record I was playing got noticeably quieter, and sounded great. Not sure if this was a function of eliminating static charge, reducing friction, or cleaning action... all of the above I'm guessing.

Anyone else tried this? Pros/Cons?
 
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I used to use a Dust Bug, and liked it - wish I still had it. Thought it worked great. Had it on an AR, as well as on a 980 (like you).
 
Always used one. Always will. Especially if you play your records with the dust cover off. A little D4 makes a dust bug more effective and helps eliminate static buildup, especially when the air is really dry (as in right now).
 
bhebbel said:
Always used one. Always will. Especially if you play your records with the dust cover off. A little D4 makes a dust bug more effective and helps eliminate static buildup, especially when the air is really dry (as in right now).
Click to expand...

Excellent!
 
Not to sidetrack the thread, but what's the verdict on the modern version of the dust bug? I'm not sure who makes it (probably Asian child labor) but I've seen 'em on the auction site. My old plastic Watts is down to just the roller brush.
 
There used to be a thing called the Watts Humid Mop that was a plastic tube withe holes in it and a sponge inside. You put a few drops of Watts record cleaner into the sponge and used the Mop to clean and moisten the Dust Bug, Preener and Parastat.
 
The newer style with the carbon fiber brush is supposed to do a much better job of discharging static.

I've got one of the original "dust and static bug" like devices ...

pickering-xv15.jpg
 
I recall one that had a grounding screw and wire that needed to be grounded somewhere to take the static away? Hope I am recalling that correctly.
 
I just ordered one of the same type that Trekmaster linked, I'll report back when I try it out.
 
I've used them for the last 40 years and have them on all 4 of my in-use turntables. Three are Watts originals and the 4th is a remake in hardwood made by a friend who died last week. The latter was prototyped here in my testroom and works identically to the Watts originals.

The roller should not rotate unless if you want to use a 'new' plush surface which is almost never.

I use them dry, although they were originally packed with a bottle of fluid which invariably was evaporated when bought nos.

tri_pod
 
People used to float the record in water till they found out they where wet sanding the record and damaging it.
 
Seems to me, the roller was originally intended to rotate, but slower than the table rpms to always present a slightly different surface to the vinyl for better static discharge, while still allowing the bristles to sweep the grooves.

You should be able to adjust the tension on the holder to make that happen.

Probably every time you use it ... <G>

PS ... adjusting the bug's height will also adjust the downforce of the brush, creating more resistance. I imagine that would also affect any rotation. I expect too much force would also reduce any cleaning action as the bristles flatten as well, so ... six o' one ...
 
@
4-2-7

With all due respect where did you hear/read about this urban legend?

@sKiZo

The cylinder was NOT intended to rotate unless you wanted the cylinder to present another surface to the record. These 'bugs hardly ever wear and I clean mine by using one of those useless 'toothbrush style' stylus brushes.

tri_pod
 
tri_pod said:
@
4-2-7

With all due respect where did you hear/read about this urban legend?

@sKiZo

The cylinder was NOT intended to rotate unless you wanted the cylinder to present another surface to the record. These 'bugs hardly ever wear and I clean mine by using one of those useless 'toothbrush style' stylus brushes.

tri_pod
Click to expand...
No not urban legend, but what I just said.
 
tri_pod said:
@
4-2-7

With all due respect where did you hear/read about this urban legend?

@sKiZo

The cylinder was NOT intended to rotate unless you wanted the cylinder to present another surface to the record. These 'bugs hardly ever wear and I clean mine by using one of those useless 'toothbrush style' stylus brushes.

tri_pod
Click to expand...

I say "the cylinder was NOT intended to rotate" is an urban legend!

Prove me wrong! (insert evil grin here)
 
If the Dust Bug rotated with the record, by my way of thinking it wouldn't be very usefull. If it were rolling, it would just roll over top of the dust, and not sweep it up.

As for the "Wet Sanding".... Are you trying to tell me that a liquid causes more abrasion between surfaces than running it dry?
 
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