In using the phono cartridge alignment tool from Turntable Basics the first thing you need to do when setting up the cartridge is to line up the horizontal sight line with the pivot point of the tone arm. The instruction sheet recommends you use a straight edge and line it up by sighting it from the top down. Not very accurate or easy IMO. I also tried to eyeball it by sighting down the horizontal line but too much room for error. Especially if you happen to be cockeyed. Another and more accurate method, as posted by an AK member, is to tape a length of thread to the horizontal line on the alignment tool and pull it across to intersect with the pivot point of the tonearm. Well here is another and rather simple and accurate method I came up with which works very well for me by using a laser level. (I used a "StraightLine" laser level placed directly on the platter). Because of the reflective mirror of the alignment tool it makes the laser nearly impossible to see as it shoots across the mirrored surface. I ran a piece of matte finish scotch tape from one end to the other directly on top of the horizontal sight line. The matte surface now makes the laser line clearly visible and simplifies shooting a line of sight directly on top of the horizontal sight line. Then it is just a simple matter of rotating the platter until the laser line lines up with the tonearm pivot point. Once you have it lined up you can lock down the platter using masking tape, wedges, or whatever works well and is simple to remove when done. Another trick I used to accurately superimpose the laser light directly on top of the sight line is to hold a piece of card stock at the front edge of the sight line(with matte scotch tape in place) and then move it to the back of the sight line. The laser light projected onto the card stock makes it simple and accurate in making sure it runs directly on top of the horizontal sight line from one end of the alignment tool to the other edge.

I been sayin it all along pioneervato, levels are cooL! :cool:

Very interesting.:scratch2:
Thanks.

You just have to be careful not to burn a hole in the wall, or your shirt.

It might've been my thread you read about using a Thread with Sight-Line Protractors to enhance thier aiming accuracy. No doubt about it, your method appears be excellent as well, and if you have a small laser on hand, all the better. (Not that these things are all that expensive nowadays)

This more than likely speeds things up a bit, and one can then more easily do a constant check by eye, insuring that nothing has moved while adjusting overhang-alignment.

With the method I mention, (with Thread) one should repeat, and confirm one hasn't deviated from proper Sight Line aligning, as this is highly critical, and in truth "what good is using a good Sight Line Protractor if you got slightly sloppy with the Aiming"?

The thread method may actually have some benefit versus the Laser, in that the Thread may actually produce a much finer line of sight? Perhaps try both to confirm you're dead on? Certainly cannot hurt?

I will admit, with checking, and adjusting, it can become a lengthy process, and mucho fiddling back, and forth to get everything exactly right, and one accidental touch of the Platter, or Protractor means one starts all over with Sight Align.

In any case, this time spent is well worth it, and helps insure that at least this phase of Cartridge Set-Up will not likely be the issue if sonic problems should arise (Mistracking-Groove Distortion, or achieving optimum sound per given set-up)

One can then concentrate on other parameters such as Anti-Skate, VTF, VTA to achieve the best sound. Without proper alignment, one will no doubt only compound problems with other adjustments mentioned above. Great post, thanks for the tip, and pics.
Mark

Hey, Mark. I thought it was you who posted the "thread" method but wasn't absolutely sure otherwise I would have mentioned your name. It was your post that actually led me to try the laser method. I became frustrated trying to sight by eye and knowing that the accuracy of this critical step would be in question when I searched AK for ideas on the subject of effective cartridge alignment. I just so happened to have the laser level which my wife gave me as a Christmas gift a few years ago and thought "why not give it a shot" . It is about the size of a 30ft tape measure and fit fine on the platter. It is really easy to set up and line it up with the pivot point. Maybe I should invent a protractor with a built-in laser and get rich and retire.:scratch2:

I was also useing a thread on the protractor and my small contribution was that I used a RED thread that had better contrast. The straight line laser may be the best and most accurate solution yet for this type of protractor. Yesterday I received in the mail a Dennison Soundtractor (plastic). It would of been even better if it was the metal model but beggers can't be choosers. The Dennison Soundtractors, plastic or steel, are long out of production and rarely show up for sale. The Dennison Soundtractor from what I have read was the one of the best if not the best for cartridge alignment. A similar model mfg in Germany sells for around $250 and it was debated that it might not of been as accurate as the Dennison. Along with the Dennison came a Geodisc protreactor. A quick check with the Geodisc against my present cartridge alignment it looked dead on. Later today I'll try out the Dennison protractor. In all I must have six protractors and I'll see which one is the most accurate, bang for the buck and report back.