Record won't fit

[Daisy]

I'm sure there is already an answer but the majority of new records I buy don't fit on the spindle of my thorens td160b, that is its too tight. What is the least damaging way to sort this.
Thanks
Simon

[struth]

Safest way is to use a bic biro or pencil at both ends and widen it .. its a common problem with 160's.

[Arkless Electronics]

Had to check if my first thought was right and it's a Thorens! Yeah! They all do that mate ;)

[albertan]

I would get a hold of some emery cloth and try and reduce the diameter of the spindle. Your spindle is obviously a couple or a few thousandths of a inch too big around. Some 250 grit cloth held around the spindle for only a few (3-4 tops) rotations should knock enough bark off of it to stop this problem from happening. A set of dial callipers to measure the spindle diameter and the inside diameter of a few spindle holes before starting this operation would be a very handy item.

Just my .02$.

Walter

[Daisy]

Thanks for the replies did think was something to do with turntable as why would they produce records you couldn't play.
Cheers
Simon

[HackneyRF]

Does the job nicely Simon. :)

Cheers

Lozhttp://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r502/lozring/image_12.jpeg

[Barry]

Use the tip of an old fashioned potato peeler.

[Phil Lawton]

+1 for the BIC biro solution.

Makes no dust, creates no splinters or fragments.

[nuff]

I also use a BIC, it does the job perfectly. Only 3 turns per side seems to be fine.

[helma]

Thanks for the replies did think was something to do with turntable as why would they produce records you couldn't play.
Cheers
Simon

Probably for the same reason they make records with other defects :) In other words I think it's probably the records to blame. I've had the same issue with some records with both my TD-160 and Lenco L75 though, but I've measured the spindle on the Thorens and it is well within standard (and not even on the high side of it) - same for the Lenco, that one I haven't actually measured but it seems to be just a hair smaller than the Thorens spindle. Some records just come with too small center holes, and most TTs seem to be fitted with spindles that are on the small side.

[struth]

Older records you never have this trouble, so hink you are right, and they are making the holes a bit smaller now

[Gazjam]

Thought you liked it tight Grant?

Ps...Touche. :)

[struth]

Thought you liked it tight Grant?

Ps...Touche. :)

tight but not impenetrable :D

PS..lol

[Marco]

I'm sure there is already an answer but the majority of new records I buy don't fit on the spindle of my thorens td160b, that is its too tight. What is the least damaging way to sort this.
Thanks
Simon

Hi Simon,

Since you're only down the road, if you bring me the records that don't fit, I'll drill them out for you with a purpose-made tool that I have, from Clearaudio:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/yNp51J.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnyNp51Jj)

http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-LP-Drill

Takes seconds, and does a great job! :cool:

Marco.

[Daisy]

Thanks for everyone's replies have tried the bic method and worked!!!,however may well take up on Marco's
Offer as some are still fighting the pen and don't want to get too brutal. ( Marco I go fishing at Bangor on Dee and sometimes see bands in Wrexham - Focus Wales, Hawkwind coming up soon so could pop by if convenient) .
Everyone's help much appreciated as being a newbie on here thought I was asking a stupid question .
All the best
Simon

[Marco]

Sure, Simon. Just pop me a PM when you're in the area, and we can hook up :)

The BIC pen method works to a degree, but it's not the best solution, as essentially all that's happening is you're forcing the blockage from one side of the hole to the other, by just pushing it through, so when you play the side of the record which the blockage has been transferred from (the side that the pen wasn't forced through), the hole will still be tighter than it should be.

With the Clearaudio tool, you're actually drilling (and widening) a completely new hole in the record, and one that's designed to fit the spindle perfectly - thus the problem is permanently eradicated!

Marco.

[helma]

A small round file also works wonders, if you just remember to not get over-excited with it :) Usually you need to make hole larger only by a very tiny amount.

[rubber duck]

This may seem obvious, but if the problem is the Thorens spindle then you may end up with loose fitting records should you change turntables.

[struth]

This may seem obvious, but if the problem is the Thorens spindle then you may end up with loose fitting records should you change turntables.

You dont. I moved to a jbe and its spindle is smaller but everything fits nice and easy as it should. Tbh all my old records, of which ive many fitted the thorens ok, but stuff from say the 80's on often didnt. It isnt much but enough to make it not quite fit without banging on. Removing a tight one is harder than getting it on lol

[Barry]

Hi Simon,

Since you're only down the road, if you bring me the records that don't fit, I'll drill them out for you with a purpose-made tool that I have, from Clearaudio:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/yNp51J.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnyNp51Jj)

http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-LP-Drill

Takes seconds, and does a great job! :cool:

Marco.

Just use the tip of an old fashioned potato peeler, and save yourself $50!

PS if you are wondering why the diameter of the drill bit is 7.33mm, that's because the specification for the centre hole is 7.24 -0/+0.09 mm.

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yosh/standards_table.htm

[Marco]

It works great, Barry. Sometimes it's just nice having a properly engineered tool for the job. I'm not a tight wad ;)

Marco.

[Barry]

It works great, Barry. Sometimes it's just nice having a properly engineered tool for the job. I'm not a tight wad ;)

Marco.

Haha - I'm not being a tight wad Marco. I've used the tip of a potato peeler for 45 years, long before your, admittedly 'cool' looking, drill bit was introduced. It works just fine, so why would I want to spend $50 on a glorified drill bit (especially as I could equally well use a 7.3mm diameter bit from out of my drill set).

[Marco]

Lol - never said you did, daftee. It's just that I have no desire to attack my records with a potato peeler :)

Marco.

[Barry]

Lol - never said you did, daftee. It's just that I have no desire to attack my records with a potato peeler :)

Marco.

Oh, I understand that Marco - you prefer to attack your records with a drill bit. :eyebrows:

[Marco]

Yesh... Especially a sexy looking one! :D

Marco.

[Barry]

Yesh... Especially a sexy looking one! :D

Marco.

Better make sure you use a condom on your drill bit then!

[Marco]

Might be more fun getting Tabatha to stick her tongue in... ;)

Marco.

[Oddball]

Better on the tight side than too slack!!

[struth]

Tell Alice that!

[Stratmangler]

I could equally well use a 7.3mm diameter bit from out of my drill set

This bit intrigues me.
I've never seen a 7.3mm drill bit. Can you point me in the direction of a supplier for such an item?

I use a tapered reamer to enlarge the centre hole of records.
It does what it says on the tin, and it cost a fraction of the price of the Clearaudio LP drill.

[struth]

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/centre-drill-bits/0513326/

[Stratmangler]

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/centre-drill-bits/0513326/

Did you read the bit about discontinued product?
So RS Components don't do them .....

[struth]

Ah well they used to lol. Sure they will be available. We used to use them in the sign business a lot.

[struth]

http://uk.farnell.com/dormer/a1007-3/jobber-drill-hss-7-3mm/dp/1477449

[Stratmangler]

http://uk.farnell.com/dormer/a1007-3/jobber-drill-hss-7-3mm/dp/1477449

No longer stocked........
Next :eyebrows:

[spendorman]

This bit intrigues me.
I've never seen a 7.3mm drill bit. Can you point me in the direction of a supplier for such an item?

I use a tapered reamer to enlarge the centre hole of records.
It does what it says on the tin, and it cost a fraction of the price of the Clearaudio LP drill.

Yes, I was thinking that a reamer was the correct engineering way to enlarge the hole size. Strangely, 7.3 mm Dia drill bits are available quite cheaply on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-3mm-Straight-Shank-HSS-Twist-Auger-Drilling-Drill-Bits-For-Electrical-Drill-/261502405180
.

[struth]

Probably got a few in shed tbh but would much rather use a pen or my trusty paring knife.. Barrys tatty parer tip is a thought too.. Got a couple of those doing nothing