Anybody built their own turntable?

[greenhomeelectronics]

Hi Folks, I want a new turntable but am far too mean to buy one :) so I am thinking about making one. I have the machinery required but just wonder whether anybody has already gone this route? I am figuring on something a bit Michellesque in appearance, It will be belt drive, I will likely steal a motor out of one of the dozens of scrap tables that I have, the main bearing may come from a similar source. I have a million ideas but want to forge a plan before I start cutting metal. Any thoughts or photos of other people's efforts would be most helpful in me deciding which way to go.
Dave.

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

How's it going, mate? :)

You might like to read this thread: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14242

I'm sure that Mark would be willing to give you some advice. Anyway, good luck with your project! :cool:

Marco.

[greenhomeelectronics]

Hi Marco, I am good thanks, hope you are well too.
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of that thread, that is one very nice piece of schmutter. It's kind of along the lines of what I am thinking about and has given me a couple more ideas.
Do you still want to give one of our valve amps a whirl?
It has just been favourably reviewed by Martin Colloms in this month's hifi Critic, more on thet later :-)
Best and all that,
Dave.

[YNWaN]

I've got an article in this current edition of HiFi Critic.

[shane]

I've had a couple of goes. Not exactly elegant, but unbeatable in terms of sound per pound!

Mk1:
http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=646&highlight=homebrew


Mk2:
http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1894&highlight=fakedeck

[sq225917]

Dave what are you thinking.

Suspended/none susended
Monolithic/skeltal
organic/inorganic materials
Belt/idler/tape/DD
Single/split plinth

[jostber]

I've got an article in this current edition of HiFi Critic.

Is that the article on the Voxativ speakers?

[YNWaN]

No, it's the one entitled "Anybody Can Make a Good Prototype" and is about some of the difficulties that confront manufacturers when they come to actually production engineer their development prototype(s) - pages 12,13 and 14 :).

[DSJR]

Dave, please can you try to get the rights to a reprint of your amp review and post it here?

Also, what kind of scrap decks do you have? Any old lower caste Garrards to plunder for parts?

[jostber]

No, it's the one entitled "Anybody Can Make a Good Prototype" and is about some of the difficulties that confront manufacturers when they come to actually production engineer their development prototype(s) - pages 12,13 and 14 :).

Very fine article, have read that one. :thumbsup:

[YNWaN]

Many thanks :), I think it has come out OK - there is another in the pipe-line.

[MCRU]

Would it not make sense to buy a used lenco and fettle it?

[greenhomeelectronics]

DSJR - I am talking to Martin to see if I can get reprint rights, it will probably happen. I can't reveal too much due to intellectual property rights. I don't honestly know what decks I have. I know I have a big stack, don't recall seeing any garrards there. Think there is bits of a Lenco and a DD Marantz. Will have to move the jukeboxes, mountain of speaker stands etc out the way and have a look.

sq225197 - Don't have fixed ideas at the moment. Maybe a heavy machined alli platter and a base of deep gloss black painted MDF. Really early in the thought process at the mo.

Mains Cables. I need a challenge. I built a car last year (see www.deepfolly.co.uk) and need something equally as taxing to occupy my mind. Fetteling does not really do it for me, I need to get intimate with lathe and milling machine before I can be truly satisfied :) If it involves welding as well I will be a truly happy man.

Thanks for the links, Shane, I will have a look in a minute.

Thanks to all those that responded this far.
Dave

[greenhomeelectronics]

Hi Shane, I had a look - love what you have done there. I think the way you made the arm and motor mount sections fit in with the square design is very clever and well executed.
There is nothing better than using and enjoying something unique that has been built yourself. Proper job:cool:
Have been trawling the web looking for other ideas for my attempt. I found a Linn arm the other day that I had forgotten I had so I will most likely use that.
I think I will go belt drive - I like to keep stuff simple and like the way a rubber belt isolates the platter from motor noise. I will use a decent motor so the noise will be low but I just kind of think it's the right way to go on this project.
Dave.

[caddy359]

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i422/cadman359/tt.jpg

That's my go at a diy turntable

Does sound better than my Project deck