Alternative platters ?

[Andrei]

I've been very seriously thrown for a loop by this thread, baffled even at times. However, this still seems to be the definitive place to get info and try to figure out what's what with modded Techies; so, I'm going to "take my pills" sort through what's been said and try to make a decision on which way to go next.

If the ETP platter is the winner then hooray for me as I believe, in posts, I've drooled over the one with the brass inserts ever since Mike posted it. But, maybe the only way I can answer my own questions is to somehow try both the aluminum and ETP in which case you guys really haven't helped me at all.

If you can hang fire for a week or so I intend posting a DIY platter. I have done it an it really works. The short point is this: Strip the rubber damping from the existing platter and replace it with Dynamat. The resulting platter is as dead as a door-nail. There is a bit more to it and I have been experimenting (I bought 6 platter on e-bay) as to the most efficacious methods. I will put up some instructions and pics, hopefully before X-mas. The Platter will cost a few quid and a liter of elbow-grease.

[Mike_New]

Folks,
Be warned if you follow the idea of Andrei, whilst you might get away with it, you could more probably finish up with a badly warped or out of centre platter!!!! Secondly it may very well slowly distort over time as the casting moves.
The reason is this: the platter is a very light die cast soft alluminium alloy, to which is bonded the rubber compound.
Now the bearing taper and most probably the top surface of the platter would have been machined after the bonding process in a specially jigged lathe.

If you go ripping out all the supporting bonded rubber from under the surface who knows what the hell will happen to the structure????
In my opinion this is not a very sensible thing to even contemplate!!!!!!

In the early days of my investigating platter improvements, I considered removing the rubber and filling the void with epoxy potting compound,
(no not for plants). But I considered the very thin die casting too fragile to play with in this manner.

[synsei]

Folks,
Be warned if you follow the idea of Andrei, whilst you might get away with it, you could more probably finish up with a badly warped or out of centre platter!!!! Secondly it may very well slowly distort over time as the casting moves.
The reason is this: the platter is a very light die cast soft alluminium alloy, to which is bonded the rubber compound.
Now the bearing taper and most probably the top surface of the platter would have been machined after the bonding process in a specially jigged lathe.

If you go ripping out all the supporting bonded rubber from under the surface who knows what the hell will happen to the structure????
In my opinion this is not a very sensible thing to even contemplate!!!!!!

In the early days of my investigating platter improvements, I considered removing the rubber and filling the void with epoxy potting compound,
(no not for plants). But I considered the very thin die casting too fragile to play with in this manner.

Good advice Mike, however Andrei states that he has bought a spare platter to perform the experiment on (6 in fact) therefore if it all goes Pete Tong, he can always refit his original item

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi-fi was originally a hobby for DIYers and builders and it's good to see that some people still like to try things out for themselves. Spare platters are cheap enough to make a whole catalogue of mistakes.
Go for it Andrei!

[Mike_New]

You are absolutely correct if you can find them now, or has no one told you that the Techie is no longer manufactured any more, so platters, circuit boards and other miss parts are no longer freely available and indeed some parts are as scarce as prawn balls.

[synsei]

You are absolutely correct if you can find them now, or has no one told you that the Techie is no longer manufactured any more, so platters, circuit boards and other miss parts are no longer freely available and indeed some parts are as scarce as prawn balls.

They turn up regularly on ebay for reasonable sums Mike...

[DarrenHW]

Hi-fi was originally a hobby for DIYers and builders and it's good to see that some people still like to try things out for themselves. Spare platters are cheap enough to make a whole catalogue of mistakes.
Go for it Andrei!

+1. I personally can't wait to see what you've come up with Andrei, looking forward to your posts!

[Tarzan]

+1. I personally can't wait to see what you've come up with Andrei, looking forward to your posts!

x2, would be interesting on your report Andrei.

[Spectral Morn]

In response to Al’s original question, this is my take on alternative platters.

It’s the platter off a tatty ProJect RPM 9 I purchased cheap off flea bay.



I had a local model maker knock up an adaptor and it fits perfect, it powered up first time and runs smooth.

The only tweak necessary was to give the brake about a quarter of a turn on the adjuster, this platter is 38mm thick Acrylic and weighs 3.5Kg which is approximately twice that of the stock Technics Platter.

There was a bit more to it than that really, see how I did it here: http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Platter_HTML...er_Thumbs.html

Well that's the drive principle proven, I had better design a deck to put it in.

I am in awe of your skills Ken - wow.


Regards Neil

[Andrei]

x2, would be interesting on your report Andrei.

With these words of encouragement I will try to get something up this week. As mentioned it works an absolute charm. One of the things that gave me the confidence to replace the wiring on my 1210 was the photos and guidance on this forum - so I am hoping to give something back.