Drive suggestions for DIY RCM?

[cactuscowboy]

The best "motor" is your hand!

There is no reason the platter can't be spun manually, and I'd argue that I've got far better control over the cleaning process (spin both directions, vary the speed) than if my RCM were motorized.

Here's how I constructed a hold down clamp w/ offset spinner handle:

-Weld a short length of 1/4 x 20 bolt onto the spindle.
-Using an oxy-acetylene torch, cut a round disc (slightly smaller than the average LP label) out of a piece of 1/2" plate steel. Glue a rubber ring (cut from truck innertube) onto one side of the disc, to protect the record labels.
-Drill a 9/32" hole in the center of the steel disc.
-Drill a pilot hole near the edge of the disc and then tap 1/4x20 threads into the hole.
-Find a suitable wooden knob and drill a 1/4" hole through it.
-Using a 1/4 x 20 bolt of suitable length, affix the knob to the disc, allowing clearance so that the knob spins freely.

In actual operation:

-Place record on platter.
-Place disc/hold down clamp on spindle and screw nut on to hold it tight against the record.
-Spin the platter & record!

Very simple. No motors and nothing to break or wear out.

I realize that not everyone has welding equipment, but the same thing can be made out of wood.

Here are some photos of my DIY RCM at the RCG website:

http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org...wtopic&t=40503

[sanlanman]

cactuscowboy, thanks for your input , but the best motor is NOT your hand when some records are going to get the steam cleaning treatment.

The electric screwdriver with RC airplane tire drive sounds intriguing and I will look into that. I missed an opportunity to snag a motorized base to a rotating emergency light that had an all metal motorized gear drive assembly.
More drive ideas are welcomed.

Thanks to all who responded, more responses encouraged.

[shimniok]

Am planning on using bread machine w/ belt drive reduction and idler wheel spinning the tt platter. For now. Am still working out how scrub and get suction without either overcoming the idler drive (it'll just slip, which is better than stalling out the motor) or picking the record off the platter. So the question of torque depends on other parts of the design that I haven't settled on yet. Eventually I will get sufficiently sick of cleaning records by hand that I will whip this thing together.

Some details on where I'm at with this, so far: http://bot-thoughts.blogspot.com/200...ner-robot.html --- particularly this link for the drive mechanism: http://bot-thoughts.blogspot.com/200...ter-drive.html

[koseltri]

Originally Posted by sanlanman

cactuscowboy, thanks for your input , but the best motor is NOT your hand when some records are going to get the steam cleaning treatment.

The electric screwdriver with RC airplane tire drive sounds intriguing and I will look into that. I missed an opportunity to snag a motorized base to a rotating emergency light that had an all metal motorized gear drive assembly.
More drive ideas are welcomed.

Thanks to all who responded, more responses encouraged.

Send MarkW a PM, he'd be happy to send pics. He had a thread about his RCM somewhere.

[Tarl Of Gor]

Okay, remember the pasta maker I bought yesterday for $5.99 at GW? Well, I decided to see what I could do with it.

Because the motor and output is on the same side I had to take it apart and flop the motor and gears over so the motor would be on the opposite side. Once I did that I epoxied a tire and wheel from a 1/24 scale model car to the plastic output of the pasta maker - the part that the mixer slides into. Then I cut a hole in the metal plate using a hole saw for the turntable spindle that I stole from a Pioneer PL-117D belt drive TT that I bought for $5. Then I attached the spindle to the plate. I am using the INSIDE of the lip that the belt used to spin the platter.

And there you go! I just sit the platter down on the spindle, place the mat on the platter, and use my $5 record clamp that I bought from a sporting goods store.

Took me about an hour to rig this up. It spins alot slower (about 9 RPM) than the RCM I made using an ice cream maker motor, plus this one goes in both directions. This one will be the keeper, most definitely.

[Tarl Of Gor]

Here's a pic of the underneath showing the tire up against the inner lip of the platter.

UPDATE: The expoxy didn't hold up so I put a screw through the center of the wheel to hold it on. That's much better.

[jimreeves]

I picked up a Black & Decker Jar Lid remover for $6 at a local GW. Has a nice geared-drive motor in it that spins a platter at about 5 rpm and is designed for high loads. It has a square output drive on a shaft slightly smaller than a spindle. I adapted a RC plane foam wheel to contact the platter. Only downside is that it has a spring switch that'll need to be replaced. Haven't constructed my RCM yet but it's another alternative.

[sanlanman]

Well, here is sort of an update. After trying to rig an automotive winshield wiper motor to a 12 volt power supply, I am going a different way. I found a small countertop Krups ice cream maker at the thrift store cheap. It was missing the bucket. I have harvested the geared drive and switch out of it and have rigged it temporarily to turn on. It has lots of torque but riggiing the gear(s) to a turntable spindle is presenting some challanges due to the geometry of the gears and mounting points. what I need to find is an intermediate plastic gear about 2 to 2-1/2" wide. Anybody got a cheap source for plastic gears?

Once I get this thing working, I plan to post again with photos. Also, I picked up 2 turntables at the flea market for $5.00 each, as possible spindle and parts donors. The seller said they were broken. The JVC-JLA20 appears to only need cleaning, lubing, headshell wires and a new belt (plus a cart) so I think I will rescue it. The dust cover is covered in scratches but otherwise intact and undamaged. So the Fisher MT-30 will be the one that gets cannabalized. While I was at the flea market, I just could not pass up a $15.00 box of 65 records. All rock pop and jazz from the 70s and 80s, most in good shape, Including YES-Fragile and Moody Blues Days of future passed in really good shape.

[sanlanman]

Ok folks, here is an update with some pics. My DIY RCM is not yet together, but today I found some 3" foam rubber RC Airplane wheels that I think will work. Tomorrow, I hope to have a mockup of the mechanism assembled. Here are some pics of some component pieces, including the homemade vacuum wands I made based on another posted design on the web.


The picture above is a crude non working mockup of the motor to platter arrangement for the record cleaning spinning machine I am building. The vacuum part is a separate hand held system. Parts Cost so far, flea market turn table-$5.00; Krups small table top Ice Cream maker-$10.00; Pair of 3" foam rubber RC airplane tires-$9.00, Misc screws and mounting hardware- $7.00; box to mount it all in plus a switch- cost not yet determined.


This photo shows the wash (black) and rinse (white) vacuum wands I made from narrow vacuum nozzles. I found this tip on the big DIY RCM link I Googled and copied it, but I tweaked the end caps. I cut up a white light switch cover plate to make two end cap pieces and epoxied them on. The pads are replacement Mo Fi cleaning brush pads, cut in two. These wands will work with a old cannister vac I got from the Goodwill store but Home Depot is running a hand held shop vac type for $20.00 that I may buy. The manual platter in the back ground is from a cheap Sanyo all in one stereo with turntable. Its not real solid. More about the record weight in a moment.



On a separate but related note, the two pics above show a hand held record label cover/clamp I made based on the design posted in a related thread here on AudioKharma. This is for covering the label and hand holding the album to preclean really nasty thrift store and flea market finds before doing a normal cleaning routine. Cost was $6.00 for the male and female clamping knobs from a local tool and woodworker supply house; $5.00 for the 2 each 4" round gray plastic electrical box covers from Lowes (or Home Depot), and $1.25 for the 1/4" C clip to hold the cover to the male clamp.



This is a home made record weight/label cover I will use on my RCM. Parts are another 4" gray plastic electrical junction box cover, a Driveline Gear Spline from Tractor Supply for $9.00 plus a plastic push in cap for about a $1.00, and some glue and black spray paint.

[sanlanman]

Geez, at this point, I think I am presenting to an empty auditorium. maybe I need to move or repeat this in in the DIY section. ANYWAY, here is a progress update:

IT LIVES! My prototype is now a working prototype:




The motor is now coupled to the platter rim by a 3" diameter foam rubber Remote Control Airplane wheel by a company called Hanger Nine. I screwed it to the top of the "knob" on the upper gear that originally mated with the ice cream bucket. This mockup works really good. On the left you can see a piece of 2" PVC pipe and a glue in mini drain. I will use 4 like this to make legs for the RCM. But, first I will trim, edge, stain, and seal the plywood. Then reassemble the mechanisim and add the legs. Plus I'll probably change out the switch, and then get serious about cleaning and vacuuming my records. I hope this inspires some one else in their DIY record cleaning machine quest.

PS: I found and substituted a 2 speed motor from a GE table top ice cream maker for the single speed Krups model I first found. If anybody gives a rip, I will try to post again with the finished product. Helloooo?

[Tarl Of Gor]

Lookin good!

[jimreeves]

Originally Posted by sanlanman

Geez, at this point, I think I am presenting to an empty auditorium. maybe I need to move or repeat this in in the DIY section. ANYWAY, here is a progress update:

IT LIVES! My prototype is now a working prototype:
If anybody gives a rip, I will try to post again with the finished product. Helloooo?

Just jealous! I have the parts but haven't found the time to get one together. Go man, go!

[shimniok]

Sweet!

[sanlanman]

Thanks guys, I have now taken the RCM apart and am finishing the wood plinth and making legs for it. I have also bought a better DT rocker switch for it. I am installing a removable small post on the plinth for the hand held wands to ride against while cleaning.

More pics when it is finished

[djnagle]

Tarl, I don't think your plan is very good or well thought out....almost a waist of time in my opinion. As a matter of fact, I would not have that thing. You REALLY need to consider a RED WINGS puck!!!