Heybrook TT2 - Restoration Thread

[tricky1]

The one with the ball is correct. There were no changes made to the bearing design other than changing from a steel plug in the bottom of the bearing sleeve to a brass one very early on. God only knows what horrors have been loosed on the other one in your pictures! I can’t believe a hardened steel shaft could have worn that much, so it looks like it’s been butchered. Do you know anything about it’s history?

Hi Shane, thanks for your thoughts. Unfortunately I know nothing about the history of that later model. My friend purchased it recently and in all other aspects, it is in better condition than my friends older TT2 which he has owned for 20+ years. Looks like I might need to find an alternative bearing and refurbish the shaft.

[shane]

I can’t imagine that you’d find a new bearing anywhere, but there is a very long shot that may be worth a try. The little engineering shop that made the bearings, chassis and sub-platters for us is still in business, now run by the son of the guy who ran it back in the day. They don’t have any drawings any more, but if you gave them the hood bearing as a pattern they may be able to re-make and replace the damaged spindle.

A S A P Engineering
Wixenford Farm, Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 8AA
01752 408611
https://g.co/kgs/y7d7Lk9

[Wakefield Turntables]

Shane, can you remember the exact length of the TT2 belt? I'd like to get a custom belt made up, just for a hoot!

[shane]

I’m really sorry Andy but I don’t remember. The only other person who might be able to tell you would be Guy Sergeant (Puresound of this parish). Failing that I can try to work it out from mine when I get home on Wednesday.

[shane]

I just measured the belt on my TT2 and got 465mm. Now, it may well have stretched over the last 40 years but it still comes up to speed within two revolutions and sounds fine, so it shouldn’t be too far off.

[Wakefield Turntables]

As ever thanks Shane.

[DSJR]

The one with the ball is correct. There were no changes made to the bearing design other than changing from a steel plug in the bottom of the bearing sleeve to a brass one very early on. God only knows what horrors have been loosed on the other one in your pictures! I can’t believe a hardened steel shaft could have worn that much, so it looks like it’s been butchered. Do you know anything about it’s history?

Very late reply.. That severely worn bearing spindle looks as if it was run all its life DRY... I had a six month old Planar 2 with the same issue and it was that Rega forgot to lubricate the bearing before final testing and packing. There may be different reasons here of course.

I liked the original TT2 and loved the later cast sub-chassis version (I was also a closert fan of the AR Legend with proper bearing then fitted). I don't venture here often, but it's great to see restoration type threads such as this one. All the best to you guys, keeping classic decks going like this.

[shane]

That severely worn bearing spindle looks as if it was run all its life DRY...

I thought that too but it would have had to have been run dry for years to go that far and would have made a horrendous noise, and the sides of the spindle look undamaged. You’d have thought they would have suffered as well. Also, I’m intrigued by the mention of a “peg” in the bottom of the bearing. I think there’s been some sort of attempted modification. We shall never know…

[Wakefield Turntables]

The Heybrook TT2 Restoration Project Part X - OCD slightly cured?

OK, very short post folks, the TT2 may be getting some new original parts, we shall see! I'll do a full update when I find out if any of my spare parts on my Xmas wish list are available. Thanks to Guy for getting into contact. The mystery continues.... Stay tuned.

[shane]