Hi folks ... there are many really great threads discussing vacuums, motors, wands, fluids, and even philosophies concerning building DIY versions of record cleaning machines. This thread is meant to consolidate some these resources together so finding information is not so daunting. If you discover a thread that should be on this list, drop me a note and I'll "edit" this first post to include it. I'll try to treat this as a work-in-progress thread.
Note: There are already many threads discussing the merits of buying a commercially available RCM vs. building a DIY version. This is not about that - this is intended as a resource for those interested in various ways that a DIY version might be accomplished.
A tip for doing searches:
If you are going to do a search, search both the "DIY" forum and the "turntables" forum - both have lots of good relevant threads.
Note: There are many threads for these related topics in both forums:
- steam cleaning records (search "steam")
- fluids - commercial fluids vs. home-brew mixes and recipes (search "fluid" or "fluids" or "soap" or "alcohol")
- brushes - dozens of variations on a theme (search "brush" and "brushes" in turntable forum)
- Spin Clean, a table-top wet-scrub device (search "Spin Clean" in turntable forum)
- tension clamps for cleaners as well as players (search "clamp")
- GEM Dandy record cleaner, a PVC tube "apparatus" for in-sink spinning and cleaning (search "sink" and "Dandy" or "PVC")
Threads are from the DIY Forum and Turntables Forum:
jcamero's recent re-build (and original build linked in the thread):
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....r-lots-of-images-damn-long-winded-too.790218/
g.e.'s VPI-OkkiNokki-Moth inspired RCM:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131104.0
micksf's recent build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=633152
tandberg man's Okki Nokki style build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=632204
Boojum's weekender RCM build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=588986
Luckytiger's ultrasonic RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=573573
hi*ball's build (check out his o-ring record clamp - genius!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=567344
LoStrings' build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=562132
hutchballs' build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=562101
ODYOFAEL's build (also listed in this thread, but now has its own thread):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=527500
the architech's build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=496441
mmiller's RCM project (check out the very nice motor he's using):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=488423
blademansw's "cabinet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=480368
DougMac's "stereo cabinet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=479995
dodog's RCMCS thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=431520
JimmyNeutron's "ARK" Automatic Record Kleaner:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=412316
Tar of Gor's "bathroom cabinet" build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=393629
chipmunk's "rotary brush" RCM (wow!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=387590
thevinylking's "carpeted" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=381345
dnpainting's second RCM (with automation!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=376385
markus111's "quiet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=375582
oldvinyldude's recent thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=373991
Spectrum77's "rotisserie" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=363562
djnagle's thread (a work in progress at the moment):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=359037
rally's DIY Keith Monks/Loricraft thread: (Nice!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=357604
wowazeplin's Loricraft/thread buffer RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=351226
dnpainting's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=341692
Bluespower's DIY-RCM MkII: (Wow!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=335623
mfrench's "Vactrola" RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=319179
DougMac's DIY RCM on a sliding tray: (in mfrench's thread)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3960156#post3960156
squeegy200's " ... in a single afternoon" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=318745
DC's Victrola-based RCM thread: (that also references several previous threads)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=317986
Condorsat's discussion thread: (also see mfrench's Victrola pics, several posts down)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=309107
sanlanman's thread: (and discussion of clamps to overcome record sticking to vacuum wand)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=303417
ARJohn's "challenged" )) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=290709
chadnliz's thread with several YouTube links showing DIY RCMs:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=271820
ace420's "easy" DIY RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265593
sanlanman's thread with various "drive" discussions and pics:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=258500
see Tar Of Gor's RCM in this thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=258387
scootchu's DIY thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254880
coop402's thread: (with an automatic fluid distributor!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=252408
Tar Of Gor's RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=248689
Sam Cogley's "junkyard dog" RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243721
loneraider's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241633
Bluespower's "Junkyard Wars RCM" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=231097
Elcoholic's "VPI Clone" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=222987
edd9000's "thread buffer" (ala Keith Monks/Loricraft) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=204450
DC's first thread, with additional posts and photos from ARJohn, Similost, and Andyman:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=194765
Brett A's manual/vacuum system thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192217
DENNYDOG's machine he found on CL thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=186038
Shiminok's "Record Cleaning Robot" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=184026
Brett A's "ethical question" thread: (and some good pics from him and mhardy6647)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181196
Lamont Grady's thread (with external link) and good discussion on problems using stock TT motors (not enough torque):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=178491
Similost's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=177370
andres' RCM (in IKEA rack) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164809
onwardjames' "Ghetto" RCM thread: (update at the bottom)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164625
Ronco record cleaning device: (funny?)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160895
DougMac's" thread: (with an additional link to another thread with a few more pics)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=138687
cactuscowboy's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=134104
Outlaw's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104568
macaltec's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81001
see Mark W.'s RCM here: (original thread in "General ... " forum)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70822
OMI's very, very detailed thread: (excellent "how to" for those who need a little more direction)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70082
see JimmyNeutron's automated RCM here: (more photos on his site, but it seems down)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66756
Andyman's original thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66523
Note: There are already many threads discussing the merits of buying a commercially available RCM vs. building a DIY version. This is not about that - this is intended as a resource for those interested in various ways that a DIY version might be accomplished.
A tip for doing searches:
If you are going to do a search, search both the "DIY" forum and the "turntables" forum - both have lots of good relevant threads.
Note: There are many threads for these related topics in both forums:
- steam cleaning records (search "steam")
- fluids - commercial fluids vs. home-brew mixes and recipes (search "fluid" or "fluids" or "soap" or "alcohol")
- brushes - dozens of variations on a theme (search "brush" and "brushes" in turntable forum)
- Spin Clean, a table-top wet-scrub device (search "Spin Clean" in turntable forum)
- tension clamps for cleaners as well as players (search "clamp")
- GEM Dandy record cleaner, a PVC tube "apparatus" for in-sink spinning and cleaning (search "sink" and "Dandy" or "PVC")
Threads are from the DIY Forum and Turntables Forum:
jcamero's recent re-build (and original build linked in the thread):
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....r-lots-of-images-damn-long-winded-too.790218/
g.e.'s VPI-OkkiNokki-Moth inspired RCM:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131104.0
micksf's recent build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=633152
tandberg man's Okki Nokki style build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=632204
Boojum's weekender RCM build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=588986
Luckytiger's ultrasonic RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=573573
hi*ball's build (check out his o-ring record clamp - genius!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=567344
LoStrings' build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=562132
hutchballs' build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=562101
ODYOFAEL's build (also listed in this thread, but now has its own thread):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=527500
the architech's build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=496441
mmiller's RCM project (check out the very nice motor he's using):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=488423
blademansw's "cabinet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=480368
DougMac's "stereo cabinet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=479995
dodog's RCMCS thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=431520
JimmyNeutron's "ARK" Automatic Record Kleaner:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=412316
Tar of Gor's "bathroom cabinet" build:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=393629
chipmunk's "rotary brush" RCM (wow!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=387590
thevinylking's "carpeted" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=381345
dnpainting's second RCM (with automation!):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=376385
markus111's "quiet" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=375582
oldvinyldude's recent thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=373991
Spectrum77's "rotisserie" RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=363562
djnagle's thread (a work in progress at the moment):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=359037
rally's DIY Keith Monks/Loricraft thread: (Nice!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=357604
wowazeplin's Loricraft/thread buffer RCM:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=351226
dnpainting's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=341692
Bluespower's DIY-RCM MkII: (Wow!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=335623
mfrench's "Vactrola" RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=319179
DougMac's DIY RCM on a sliding tray: (in mfrench's thread)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3960156#post3960156
squeegy200's " ... in a single afternoon" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=318745
DC's Victrola-based RCM thread: (that also references several previous threads)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=317986
Condorsat's discussion thread: (also see mfrench's Victrola pics, several posts down)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=309107
sanlanman's thread: (and discussion of clamps to overcome record sticking to vacuum wand)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=303417
ARJohn's "challenged" )) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=290709
chadnliz's thread with several YouTube links showing DIY RCMs:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=271820
ace420's "easy" DIY RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265593
sanlanman's thread with various "drive" discussions and pics:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=258500
see Tar Of Gor's RCM in this thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=258387
scootchu's DIY thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254880
coop402's thread: (with an automatic fluid distributor!)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=252408
Tar Of Gor's RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=248689
Sam Cogley's "junkyard dog" RCM thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243721
loneraider's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241633
Bluespower's "Junkyard Wars RCM" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=231097
Elcoholic's "VPI Clone" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=222987
edd9000's "thread buffer" (ala Keith Monks/Loricraft) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=204450
DC's first thread, with additional posts and photos from ARJohn, Similost, and Andyman:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=194765
Brett A's manual/vacuum system thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192217
DENNYDOG's machine he found on CL thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=186038
Shiminok's "Record Cleaning Robot" thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=184026
Brett A's "ethical question" thread: (and some good pics from him and mhardy6647)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181196
Lamont Grady's thread (with external link) and good discussion on problems using stock TT motors (not enough torque):
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=178491
Similost's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=177370
andres' RCM (in IKEA rack) thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164809
onwardjames' "Ghetto" RCM thread: (update at the bottom)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164625
Ronco record cleaning device: (funny?)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160895
DougMac's" thread: (with an additional link to another thread with a few more pics)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=138687
cactuscowboy's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=134104
Outlaw's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104568
macaltec's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81001
see Mark W.'s RCM here: (original thread in "General ... " forum)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70822
OMI's very, very detailed thread: (excellent "how to" for those who need a little more direction)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70082
see JimmyNeutron's automated RCM here: (more photos on his site, but it seems down)
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66756
Andyman's original thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66523
Last edited: