25$ worth record clamp

silver_face

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---6 and 7 days work week, no end in sight
I actually don't have a record clamp or weight yet, but I thought a temporary one work.

This is what drinking beer does to me when I'm listening to my gear at 2:00 a.m. in the morning...
 

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Yeah , imma bout to go fire up the lathe and make one. Last couple records I’ve put on need a little convincing to sit flat... think I got some 3” stainless propeller shaft in the shop...
 
Yeah , imma bout to go fire up the lathe and make one. Last couple records I’ve put on need a little convincing to sit flat... think I got some 3” stainless propeller shaft in the shop...
Center hole is .28”, use a “K” bit...
 
I vaguely recall one manufacturer that had a vacuum platter to hold the record flat, as is done on a cutting lathe. Anyone else hear of this? I saw an outrageously overpriced ring that held the edge of the record down, and that made more sense than a center clamp to me. Obviously, the edge clamp won’t work with all turntables or even all records, and may not even have enough clearance between the cantilever and cartridge body at the lead- in in some cases.
 
I've heard of it as well. I made an aluminum record weight several years ago for my father-in-law. Never got around to making mine... Maybe I'll order a drop of copper and whip one out.

The attached drawing includes a 45 adapter I didn't bother with on the first one. I also did a bunch of rounding/edge breaking as compared to this "sharp" drawing. And the height is too high to play with the Rega lid closed, which you shouldn't do anyway, so it worked out. Also keeps you from leaving the weight on the bearing when not in use.

I wanted to add an o-ring to retain the 45 adapter (so it doesn't fall out every time you pick up the weight) and a small push button on the side to eject it, but never worked that out.
 

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Not really wanting to add weight to the table so using a Record Doctor tension style clamp, seems to be just fine. The main trouble is some of my ancient albums having worn holes that allow slipping. But either way the clamp works without a problem.
 
I have a used SOTA Star Sapphire vacuum table with an ET II arm with pumps and reservoir for sale. Only $2.5k but we are considering offers. Local pickup only. Comes with lessons. I can't think of any other vacuum tables.
I also have a friction style clamp for turntables with suspensions.
 
I seem to recall that there was one more extremely high dollar TT with a vacuum clamping system. Like north-of-$50k expensive. I'd look it up but my Absolute Sound collection is down on campus.
 
There ya go Jim.

Picked up two of these a few yrs back..$20. Polished with Flitz and put a felt pad...good to go, I think around 25-28oz.47F5CB8E-A883-48E2-9C78-F53DB195FC4A.jpeg1B29A0CE-B7D8-42F7-8B24-580EF3052A0C.jpeg94A1010F-9616-4790-9486-39EE24733E84.jpeg
 
I tried using real tight fitting rubber O-rings before, but after a couple uses, they get loose.
Also not as hi-end looking...
 
The bigger press across the street would have done better. I left the aluminum in the oven and the brass in the freezer when I went to lunch. At the same temp there was about six thou interference to the fit. Even heating/cooling I had a hell of a time getting it in. It won’t vibrate lose!

I finished before I left (about 5:30) and tried it out. Fits fine on the Rega.5BBFFA58-9F47-478A-A1F5-BA4640F63B85.jpeg6C6C2162-9267-47DE-AD25-2968BD3B41EC.jpeg886A870F-F38B-4B93-80DA-328D267DFBD8.jpegA676DBD1-D50B-49C9-A5A3-7DEC858F7255.jpegFC689DD5-D4F0-462E-8414-FD5A2027AEE8.jpeg7994DC9C-D986-44AB-9F13-F5B4FCF03D39.jpeg
 
6 tight on an inch and a half is a lot without nitrogen...
 
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