Stylus cleaners


I used to use Onzo ZeroDust with my first few cartridges years ago. With the last two cartridges, Hana ML, I have only been using the included Hana brush for every side of LP and the MoFi LP-9 liquid stylus cleaner (I get as much fluid out of the brush by pressing it against the neck of the bottle before I clean stylus) every 3-4 records. 
Onzo is collecting dust especially since the Fremer’s The Tracking Angle article. 
 

I’ve been looking at DS Audio ST-50 but at $80 I’m not sure it will do anything better than my current cleaning methods. 
 

What’s your stylus cleaning routine?

audphile1

@faustuss 

Looks as if it might be a NÄVLINGE from IKEA?  ... Next time I have a spare 3 hours I will pop into IKEA then try to find my way out again

I did pop into IKEA and snagged one of these lamps.  Got out in half an hour.  Most of the time was looking for a staff member - I found the lamps on display but the boxes were nowhere near for the Navlinge with clamps!

It comes with its own Chinese wall-wart ...

Thanks again for the tip

@billstevenson 

his thread prompted me to order another one of the vibrating stylus cleaning gadgets from Hudson Hi-Fi that I reported on earlier in this discussion.

I just received Hudson HiFi inner record sleeves and they seem to be well made. Very close to mofi quality and 1/2 the cost. 

@audphile1 My Posts are very rarely expected by myself to be a content the average Gon Member who posts regularly on the Analog Section to be taken on board as a useful info. Such individuals are describable as Islands, and are very insulated in what they care to consider.

There is another less recognisable side of the Gon, where there are Members who very very rarely post or even don't post. There are also those who are not Members and are visitors.

Each of the above are both capable of being very frequent visitors and read much content.

I write to inform this type of individual, and have even received PM's from members who do not have any easy to discover activity on the forum. I take such a reach out as a positive reaction to what I do on the Gon, and the stimulus to keep on with what I do.

As for yourself, the next time you 'mangle' a Cartridge, please let the forum know all about the incident and the pain felt of the expense just caused. 

I don't know any Cartridge user, of any seasoned experience, that has not had a incident as a fledgling and a experienced individual. No one is above not having a incident, the Fragility of a Cartridges design and build assures this.

I use a Winsor-Newton series 7 Kolinsky (weasel hair) #2 watercolor brush. The cuticle structure of the outside of the hair has a "scaly" structure under a microscope which allows the hair to be flexible while still allowing it to absorb water. I suspect the cuticle structure is also ever so slightly abrasive, which might aid in removing gunk. I keep the brush in the plastic tube it came with to avoid dust. I clean it with distilled water.

To use it, I gently stroke it on the stylus. That seems to remove most gunk and accumulated debris. Sometimes I will dip it in distilled water if I feel the need. I inspect the stylus (occasionally) with a 10x jewelers loupe.

Occasionally I will use Mofi LP9 if I suspect some extra pernicious gunk is stuck to the stylus. I also keep my records clean, use a Zero-stat if I notice static, and use a carbon fiber brush before playing a record.

I also have a dustcover on my SL 1200 GR which stays on all the time (even when playing records). I have two Golden Retrievers (sometimes three) living with me; a dustcover is essential for me!

@richardbrand 

"I did pop into IKEA and snagged one of these lamps.  Got out in half an hour.  Most of the time was looking for a staff member - I found the lamps on display but the boxes were nowhere near for the Navlinge with clamps!

It comes with its own Chinese wall-wart ...

Thanks again for the tip"

Use it in good health sir! I hope you find it as practical as the one I use.