• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Homemade record cleaner

loneraider

loneraider

Active Member
Easy way to make your own record cleaner...one direct drive turntable($10.00 at junk market). One shop vac (small 1 hp should do) i used a hose from a hoover steam vac but any hose will work and you need a a clear plastic tube about 5 to 6 inches long. Dremmel a 4 or 5 inch line on bottom of tube and tape a piece of velvet with paper backing on top of the cut you just made and cut a slit the same length as the one in the tube. Attach the hose and tube together.. I use brushes with camel hair ( $5.00 at Micheal;s craft store
her in ontario) the tube was filled with paper bubble bath stuff ($ 3.00 same store) The velvet with paper backing found at stores that make picture frames. or at fabric land. Cleaning fluid i use is 99% isopropanol,dawn dish soap, and distilled water. Mix 40% isopropanol add a few drops of dawn dish soap and the rest with distilled water and shake it up,,,,,,Put a 2 inch square of solution on album ,wipe around the album with camel hair brush(it looks like a paint brush) and then vacume up......Thats it. It took me a week to make this (finding the parts) If u want to play vinyl then u have to vacume
the crap off and YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE RESULTS!!!!!!
 

Attachments

  • 016.jpg
    016.jpg
    78.1 KB · Views: 504
  • 017.jpg
    017.jpg
    72.2 KB · Views: 308
  • 018.jpg
    018.jpg
    62.6 KB · Views: 450
  • 020.jpg
    020.jpg
    79.1 KB · Views: 470
  • 025.jpg
    025.jpg
    84.4 KB · Views: 309
Register to hide this ad
Yeah, that Technics looks like it should be playing clean vinyl, not being used as an RCM!

I agree with the rest of your post-- I do something very similar. The big difference is, instead of buying a used TT, I got a small lazy susan at Ikea (the $7 "snudda") with a protective mat.

Another thing-- if you don't have a Dremel tool, you can score the plastic tube with a straight line, drill many tiny holes next to each other along that line, and then use GENTLE side pressure from the bit/a serrated knife to get rid of the remaining bits to form the slot. A little sand paper makes it smooth and uniform.
 
Cactus Bob said:
A Technics 1500 for cleaning records? :scratch2:
Click to expand...

Actually been considering building such a machine with a marantz ummm 2000 I think it is (mod # a little hazy right now) not sure if that too would be considered heresy. though..I know where there is an akai for the same price (10 0r 12 bucks)
 
Better than a turntable, go for a motor from a bread machine or ice cream maker.

It has MORE torque and PROPER speed, and you can MOUNT a record plater platter to it with epoxy or bolts or even industrial Velcro.

This approach will work much better.

Otherwise, your ideas and suggestions are very good.
 
i'm also considering build a RCM based on old turntable but i've read that spin LP's at 33rpm during cleaning process increases static, that's why VPI machines and such spin at 16 to 20rpm. Am i right??
 
Not sure about the static but people have reported that using a DIY cork mat will reduce/eliminate static.

I do, essentially, this method except I use the DIY dent pullers (label protectors) and do all washing and vacuuming that way (didn't have a spare TT). The DIY method is great and I'm glad to see someone else doing this. Once again, despite DIY or RCM, shows that the vacuum is truly key.
 
The technics turntable i use i got from a flea market 4 $10 because it turns really slow ,speeds up then slows down ,no good for playing records but the direct drive does help . I built this system for about $30 dollars ,i already had the shop vac ,the tube cost me $3.00 bucks and i'm pretty happy with the way it cleans records....
 
OH one other thing when your vacuming your vinyl the tube and hose your using and suction will stop your turntable dead in its tracks so the 33 rpm speed has little effect when your vacuming the records. My turntable i use for playing is a marantz 6200 . thanks for reading my posts
 
loneraider said:
The technics turntable i use i got from a flea market 4 $10 because it turns really slow ,speeds up then slows down ,no good for playing records but the direct drive does help .
Click to expand...

That is just needing cleaning of the pots FYI:thmbsp:
 
I'm using a Technic SL-10 that I spent way to many hours trying to repair. For the vacuum end I us a crevice tool. I cut to the right length and plugged the end. Same idea with the slot and velvet. It has a nice flat surface to contact the record. The suction from the vacuum does slow or stop the platter so I made a disc that goes over the spindle to manually assist. I cut a piece of half inch MDF material the size of the lable. Drilled a hole in the center for the spindle. Made a handle from a thread spool for a crank. I made a countersink hole on the bottom outer edge of the disc to accommidate a panhead bolt, then bolted the spool to the disc. I double nutted it so that it turns freely.
 
Last edited:
Hi !! Tell me what do you do with the central stick.... sorry my language, i am from Argentina, but i mean with the stick where the track list is
Don't the force and the humidity of alcohol damage the stick ???
Thanks
 
I believe you are asking how one protects the record label from being damaged from liquids along with damage from however one chooses to insure the record keeps spinning around - weighted, wood block (above). I was wondering myself if the labels behave the way other paper products with print does when made wet along with any 'wiping' action that may smear the print on the label. Damn, I speak English and I'm having a hard time describing what I'm asking LOL !!

BTW PELUDITO, does the 'Lennon Lives' mean 'in your/our mind(s)' or has there been a 'sighting' ? Maybe walking around with Elvis (or both running from Michael Jackson) ?
 
ironman said:
I believe you are asking how one protects the record label from being damaged from liquids ...
Click to expand...

I wash my records by hand and don't worry much about getting liquid on the labels. I just don't scrub on them at all. I just blot them dry after rinsing and there has never been any ill effects. Sometimes there is a little bit of ink bleed but that just blots up too and doesn't damage the label.

John
 
Stanton681EEES said:
Yikes:eek: your using a technics as a record cleaning machine?
Click to expand...

I found myself a Revox B790 that was somewhat beat up, no tonearm or dust cover but the platter spinned. This is a really high torque TT so I decided to get it for building an RCM. It was cheap also.

Since then I also found a stray tonearm, so my plans are back to zero. The Revox will become a player again although the beat up "nextel" paint means it will receive black lacquer finish.
 
loneraider said:
The technics turntable i use i got from a flea market 4 $10 because it turns really slow ,speeds up then slows down ,no good for playing records but the direct drive does help . I built this system for about $30 dollars ,i already had the shop vac ,the tube cost me $3.00 bucks and i'm pretty happy with the way it cleans records....
Click to expand...

A cleaning of the switches will most likely cure that. 90% or better chance.

ironman said:
I believe you are asking how one protects the record label from being damaged from liquids along with damage from however one chooses to insure the record keeps spinning around - weighted, wood block (above). I was wondering myself if the labels behave the way other paper products with print does when made wet along with any 'wiping' action that may smear the print on the label. Damn, I speak English and I'm having a hard time describing what I'm asking LOL !!...
Click to expand...

A PLASTIC outdoor electrical circular outlet plate can be had for cheap- about $3 USD.

It comes with a rubber or foam waterproof gasket too.

Glue the gasket to the outlet plate, dab a bit of silicone glue in the small (four) screw holes, and drill a hole in the center of the plate.

Set it on with a weight, or rubber grommet to grip the spindle, or if you use an RCM with spindle screw hold-down, use that.

Covers the label and fits perfectly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom