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Which Record Cleaning Machine?

I have a discussion forum buddy in Belgium who runs a video rental store. He's a big jazz-on-vinyl enthusiast, and vinyl playback in Europe is pretty popular--popular enough that he has trouble finding any used jazz LPs on vinyl for sale over there.

Anyway, he was thinking of installing a record cleaning machine in his shop to attract more customers and to provide a service to fellow vinylphiles.

His question to me is which RCM would be the better choice within his budget--the $1295 VPI HW-17F or something from Loricraft?

Thanks in advance.
johnnyb53

Showing 2 responses by markd51

markd51
761 posts
 
Chadnliz/Stitrains/All,
Sorry, not trying to steer the thread in another direction, or dispute the hierarchy of RCM's.

My VPI 16.5 has just recently turned 1 year old. According to Motor Decals, with a date of 5-2007 it is what I consider "recent build".

I sort of doubt much variance has taken place since then, with using a Dayton Platter Motor, and Eletek-Lamb Vacuum Motor. Run the 16.5 long enough, and it will get warm-hot. Mine did, quite considerably.

Do this simple check, which takes all of 2 minutes to do: Clean about 6-10 LPs with a 3-step cleaning process. Drain Tank. Flip Unit on its side, and remove the four screws which hold Bottom Cover on the RCM. Now feel the Motors. More than likely, you won;t be able to keep your hands on either for more than a couple seconds. You will find them to be searing hot.

Once getting approval from VPI, that a fan addition would be beneficial, and would not harm my warrantee, I set out to alleviate the 16.5 shortcomings. They are real issues, if not, VPI would've never made the 17F (with fan) or the Typhoon (which I believe also has a Fan)

One can go to the AIVS Website, Jim P has placed my 16.5 fan mods there in full detail, in the Mueaum Section I believe, with a couple of pics showing the installation.

If I wanted, I could now run my 16.5 for countless hours on end continuous, motors stay cool, and spindle stays at room temps.
MarkD
markd51
761 posts
 
I would like to mention that the addition of the cooling fan did have one downside. And that is, it made the 16.5 even louder yet. Yes, this addition of another hole serves as an exit for sound more easily leaving the machine. It cannot be helped, unless this problem is adressed in some other way, with perhaps lining the machine with some sound deadening materials,

The loud vacuum sound has went from a horrid muffled roar, to almost a gun-shot startling experience when hitting that Vacuum Motor Switch.

Other ideas that come to mind, is a stand that somehow encases the machine, but of course the easiest, is a pair of headphones tolisten to some tunes while you clean.

I did a two hour run this morning in fact. Regardless of the loud sound, I have no regrets buying th 16.5.
Mark
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