VPI 16.5 RCM Using Costs

[blubino]

Hi to all,

I bought this machine awhile back as I had about 1500 LP's to clean up as I got back into the vinyl thing. Well, after about 500 LP's cleaned. I had used up 3 of the vacuum tubes at $26 each I figured that this cleaning project is getting expensive. I didn't even mention buying new poly lined sleeves for each one. My question is has anyone who uses this machine figured out how to replace the felt on the vacuum tubes and reusing them. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks.

J.B.

[grumpy]

They sell replacement felts for around 20 bucks if i recall.

[meggy]

Hi to all,

I bought this machine awhile back as I had about 1500 LP's to clean up as I got back into the vinyl thing. Well, after about 500 LP's cleaned. I had used up 3 of the vacuum tubes at $26 each I figured that this cleaning project is getting expensive. I didn't even mention buying new poly lined sleeves for each one. My question is has anyone who uses this machine figured out how to replace the felt on the vacuum tubes and reusing them. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks.

J.B.

These work great for me. http://www.needledoctor.com/Disc-Doctor-Vacuum-Tube-Replacement-Strips

You might try pointing the tube to the center when closing the lid. Pointing it straight back puts a lot of extra pressure on the tube.

I also think using a solution with alcohol in it eats throught the tube faster.

[blubino]

These work great for me. http://www.needledoctor.com/Disc-Doctor-Vacuum-Tube-Replacement-Strips

You might try pointing the tube to the center when closing the lid. Pointing it straight back puts a lot of extra pressure on the tube.

I also think using a solution with alcohol in it eats throught the tube faster.


Thanks for the tips, I did not find that VPI sold these seperately. What did you use to take off the old felt strips?

[meggy]

Thanks for the tips, I did not find that VPI sold these seperately. What did you use to take off the old felt strips?

just carefully peel and mild soap.

[charliemcd]

Yeah, just because you bought an RCM doesn't mean the expenses stop there. Cleaner, rinse water, sleeves, and replacement pads for the brushes and vacuum tubes are all consumables you'll need to buy periodically. But if you are serious about vinyl, it's really worth it to keep those records in tip-top shape.

Disc Doctor sells replacement pads for their brushes (4 for $14) and strips for VPI vacuum tubes, 2 pairs are $15. See Items I and J here: http://www.discdoc.com/p15.html

[blubino]

just carefully peel and mild soap.

Thanks, I started to peel one off and it looked like it might take something more than that. Hey, I wanted to say that I enjoyed your snake story. I found it funny you didn't kill it and let it go outside. My wife taught me that about spiders. I was always scared of them and she showed me how to just get them outside without killing them. Yikes, sorry got off the the subject. Anyway, thanks again for your help. I love this community.