A Simple Test

Very clever! Thanks for sharing.

A good LP test record (which any vinylhead outht to have) includes a "silent groove". I think you need more time than permitted between tracks, and the record will be changing speed when you shut off the power.

El- I haven't been letting the platter come to a complete stop before switching back on. Motor noise differential seems to be most apparent immediately after switching motor off and again when the motor is turned on, so there is not much of a need to have the motor off for more that a second or two. I can usually cycle this test 2 to 3 times between tracks.

After adjusting belt tension using this method (adjuust to least amount of noise through speakers) one can discern the difference between electrical and mechanical noises in the motor/drive system and then fix whatever is causing it. One can also test various belt materials for differences in noise.

After a couple of hours of experimenting, I'm now using the OL DC motor and a #4 silk beading thread and have been able to reduce motor/drive noise to virtually imperceptable while minimizing belt slippage. (Automotive fan belt dressing seemed to improve "traction", too!) Background is blacker and presentation is much more dynamic as a result.

Now I'm on to fine-tuning the arm/cartridge alignment.....

Jimbo3,

Automotive fan belt dressing to improve drive belt traction? Now THAT interests me. Any idea how well it would adhere to a mylar drive belt? Could it wear off and leave a residue around the platter?

Doud,

Don't try it. It will leave a nasty residue, which I am sure will piss you off! And it will probably eat the mylar.

Trust me on this.

Joe

Thanks Joe. I'm not too worried about the mylar, I have a 100' roll of the stuff. But a nasty residue on my cocobolo platter? No thanks! Sounds like it would poison the cats too.

I don't have any motor noise (as you know) and it's not like I have any belt slippage either. But the improved coupling when I changed from silk thread to mylar tape was quite audible. Just thought I'd take another step toward direct linkage if possible. Where's Psychicanimal when you need him! :)

Jimbo3, sorry for the threadjacking. Whether you use dead grooves between tracks or on a test record it sounds like a good test to try.

Yes, it might eat up mylar- don't know for sure, though. In my case, the silk string rides on the platter edge, so cleaning it is easy. I haven't had a residue, yet. However, I put the belt dressing on the string and not on the pulley or platter, so there is very little to start with.

Doug,

100' roll? Where did you find it? I was going to use VHS tape for the next 2 tables, but if you can turn me on to your source, I'd rather go mylar.

I know about the no motor noise. But, this just remined me that the reason my battery power has not shown up yet is I forgot to send Chris a check. OOPS! Guess I'll have to do that on Monday.

I also lookes at a CNC router table last week at the Carolina's Wood Expo. They are made right up the road in Durham. So, I think I'm going to buy one. SO, that means I'll have the Cocobolo platter soon!

Joe,

Go to http://www.mccormicksnet.com/mccormicks/tapes.htm and see the last item on the page, Mylar streamers. That's the source Chris Brady uses and recommend. Lots of colors available to suit your designs.

So how much does a CNC router cost? I assume you have more uses for it than just making a platter (or two)?

Thanks Doug.

The router is about 10 grand. I've been looking at them for about a year. I can use it for many things at the shop, especially doing cabinet work. Anything it can do for the turnatbles is just a bonus!!