Garrard 301 restoration project

[Wakefield Turntables]

Next because I'm a complete geek, I strip all the screws out, clean them with IPA, ultrasonically clean them and them clean them with metal polish. The bolt threads are minty clean!

allscrewsUScleaned.jpgscrewinIUS.jpg

We now need to go a little deeper into the bearing to get the thrust pad and spindle.

spindlecleaned.jpgthrustpad.jpgUScleanedspindle.jpg

The above pictures show the spindle being US cleaned. The thrust plad has been examined and is very good order, the spindle has also been ultrasonically cleaned as well as freshly polished. The thrust pad has been cleaned with IPA, US cleaned, and then polished.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Finally we have a few more things left to do.

baseofspindle.jpgoldgasket.jpg

The spindle base has been examined and found to be in very good condition this was later polished. The spindle circlips were found to be fine and not warped so these remained. The paper gasket is well past it so this will be skipped. I have ordered a new wool felt ring for the top of the bearing and a new paper gasket. The bearing spindle will be lubricated and then I shall have to design a simple base plate to install under the bearing. The felt wool ring will be left to absorb oil supplied by Martin Bastin. The 401 bearing is a little lower than the 301 bearing and if not slightly heightened causes the platter to rub on the chasis (not good for paint work).

[A.Grail]

it's been a while since I checked in and it Looks like the project is coming on! In order to test the bushes of the idler ensure the screw on the top of the idler housing is secure then place your fingers in the 12 & 6 O'clock position on the outside of the idler wheel and use an alternate rocking motion - If you feel movement the bushes are worn - also check the 9 & 3 o'clock position (In effect you will have now covered n,s,e and west) as the idler wheel connects to the pulley in a fixed position the pressure over time causes the bushes to 'oval' which can lead to the idler riding the inside of the rim and causing a couple of issues including noise.
The same procedure should be done with the platter in place: place the heel of your palms on the outer top on the platter in the 12 & 6 position and alternate pressure, then try 3 and 9 o'clock if there is any sound the bearing bushes are worn.
Matt

[Wakefield Turntables]

it's been a while since I checked in and it Looks like the project is coming on! In order to test the bushes of the idler ensure the screw on the top of the idler housing is secure then place your fingers in the 12 & 6 O'clock position on the outside of the idler wheel and use an alternate rocking motion - If you feel movement the bushes are worn - also check the 9 & 3 o'clock position (In effect you will have now covered n,s,e and west) as the idler wheel connects to the pulley in a fixed position the pressure over time causes the bushes to 'oval' which can lead to the idler riding the inside of the rim and causing a couple of issues including noise.
The same procedure should be done with the platter in place: place the heel of your palms on the outer top on the platter in the 12 & 6 position and alternate pressure, then try 3 and 9 o'clock if there is any sound the bearing bushes are worn.
Matt

Hi Matt, nice to hear from you again. I've been mainly experimenting with some of the rumours and mods that persist on the net about how to "improve" the 301 and the more I experiment the more I realise that it's actually pretty perfect as it is. Your sagely advice is always welcome and the Idler wheel shall be tested tonight when I have a little time. I'm prototyping a bearing housing at the moment just to raise the bearing several mm's higher so that it'll work on the 301, next stage really is the external PSU. I honestly don't think that I can do much more to this deck. Maybe it might be time for something else?

[A.Grail]

The funny thing is there are lots of avenues to explore. The best thing is probably motor detachment and arm isolation - The inert resin / bentonite clay plinth was a breakthrough as was the Tenuto mat. The motor cage could well be improved and I did for a while look into the motor suspension - springs could be replaced with correctly sized silicone or similar bands (V expensive to have molds made etc). Bearing clamp, chassis stiffening with a 'P' plate, Non trad bearings (air etc). Minus-K or Vibroplane isolation - even the Townshend feet are fun to play with. A basic wall shelf can pay dividends. Bush tolerances are worth the attention - The list and sadly the expense can be a tad endless.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Idler wheel oiled, bushes checked (no give), bearing checked (no give), 401 bearing installed alongside homemade bearing isolation system (3 nuts ). 301 has now been spinning the platter for an hour so freshly oiled and serviced bearing should be bedding in nicely. I've noticed I need less speed correction and the platter and 301 seem to be running silently. I'll need a good listen then it's the external PSU and motor isolation!

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've had chance to have a good listen to the new modded 301 with the freshly serviced Garrard 401 bearing and restripped built Idler housing/wheel. I additionally stripped out my old Van Damme 6mm2 copper cable and replaced with simple solid silver 3mm solid core. Well the differences are not subtle. The 301 now seems to dig deeper into my records. The presentation has changed as well and seems more to have taken on a more muscular presentation. I noticed a very similar thing occur when I shifted my 1210's bearing over to the MN bearing, so I think a lot has to do with the bearing. I now have a full loom of silver in the wiring and this has had the effect of slightly improving and "sharpening" the presentation of the music. The VanDamme is fantastic cable but I think it maybe softened the presentation slightly. I'm still getting used to the presentation, I'm happy with the way things have turned out. I'm now going to do some more mini tweaks to the deck and speaker cables, mainly optimising length of the cables.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Tenuto mat next on the wish list.

[AlfaGTV]

Good job done right, then!

What are you doing with 6mm2 cable in a recordplayer? Or are you referring to external power cabling?
Sorry for being thick.. And inquisitive!

[Wakefield Turntables]

Good job done right, then!

What are you doing with 6mm2 cable in a recordplayer? Or are you referring to external power cabling?
Sorry for being thick.. And inquisitive!

The VanDamme with the speaker cable that I've been using, I should have mentioned! The tweaks continue tonight, I'm playing around with the earthing arrangements between the various boxes in the valve system. Earthing should be star-earthed, this is difficult as the old binding post on the Croft will at a push accept 3 earth spades. Currently, my x2 sets of IC's and tonearm just don't quite make it. The power into the 301 needs properly earthing, but this is a job for tomorrow.