• 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

Custom Record Cleaner

C

coop402

Member
Posting a lot today, I am on a roll.

Did I ever freak you guys out with my home rolled record cleaner.
It uses a 16 rpm pittman gear drive motor.
Old pioneer direct drive platter and mechanism
25 dollar shop vac (which is way more powerful than the vpi),
and all the critical parts from a high end vpi cleaner.

Oh! not to forget the Toyota Celica windshield washer resevoir
and pump.

I works really, really, really well. Did I mention really?

Special thanks to old episodes of McGyver. :thmbsp:

(Dogs name is Pop-Pop)

cleaner_1.jpg


cleaner_2.jpg


cleaner_3.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
I only bought the upgrade parts for the VPI, I had about 100 bucks into that.
I made all of the stuff in the picture. It is nothing more than mdf with 1/2 oak plywood doors and a little stain.
 
Yeah, the photos are too dark! What are all those switches on top? That thing is sweet...and deserves better pics...and more info. I want it!!!
 
Switches on top are:
motor on,
clockwise, counterclockwise
light,
pushbutton for sprayer
vacuum.

I even made decals from a model decal sheet for inkjets
and put polyurethane over it.

I will look at doing a video.
 
Those switches are all mounted on an oblong banana-shaped slab of raised wood. I'm thinking it would have been cool to use your inkjet to copy the banana on the first Velvet Underground lp, varnish that, and put the switches on that!
 
Funny thing is, this started out as a prototype with some mdf, glue, finish nailer.....
I just kept working on it and this is what it became.
I often wonder what changes I would make on a second one,
but I don't really need a second one.
 
Where did you buy your VPI parts?
That looks really good.
I don't know why someone said your pics were dark.
 
I said his pictures were too dark...but I mostly meant the first picture. I guess its kinda a compliment because I like this machine so much that I want to see every little detail. No disrespect intended...
 
This is the upgrade kit I was talking about.
Notice how it has the spring, mounting tube and standard 33 1/3
vacuum pickup bar. This single piece is what got me thinking I could build
my own. The shop vac is hooked up to pvc pipe, this is mounted to the table
top, and viola, it pulls the spring down and the velvet into the record, thus
pulling all the solution off the spinning record.

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HW-3015

Here is the brush....

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HW-3010

Nothing against VPI, they are an amazing machine. I just can't afford one!
But I have no problem buying their brushes and accessories.

BTW, my photos don't show much detail. I honestly did not think there would be
much interest in this. Every one in a while I get all "OCD" on a project and I
can't stop. This was one of those projects. I liked the idea of a cleaning station
near the turntable. I put it on casters for project cleaning. But for the most
part this reminds me there is not excuse for playing dirty records.
 
Urchinn,

I should have cut that banana shaped panel out of plexi and put the
Velvet underground Andy Warhol banana under it.
Where were you when I was building this thing? Probably a long way from Dallas, right?
 
A heckuva long way from Dallas...up in Boston and thinking about some projects for the upcoming winter. One will be a plynth build for a Lenco...another might be something similar to your excellent machine!
 
Fantastic!! I love the look!! Excellent craftsmanship. I wish I had a fraction of your skill. All it's missing is a huge Ginko Dust cover to give it that museum quality.

36 Posts! Welcome to AudioKarma!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom