• 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

DIY RCM Mark-II

Bluespower

Bluespower

Active Member
About a year and a half ago I posted a thread called “My Junkyard Wars RCM”.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=231097

That experiment along with some clever ideas from other fine DIYers inspired me to build the “DIY RCM Mark-II”.

1.jpg


The things I knew I wanted to improve over the prototype were:

• Utilize a gear motor for power (bi-directional).
• Incorporate commercially available wands for cleaning.
• A stronger vacuum.

I began with a Dual 502 top plate and platter and machined the adapter to connect the spindle to a 24v gear motor (18 rpm).

2.jpg


The top plate was built into a simple plywood enclosure.

3.jpg


I finished the working area with Formica and made sure all of the seams were sealed.

4.jpg


I cut down the lid of the Dual and built it into a wooden frame. It locates on three pins and lifts off when it’s time to clean.

5.jpg


I wanted to build the enclosure in a way so that I could either use it as a table top unit with the electric & vacuum connections on the side OR as a unit that I could set into a cabinet and make the connections from below.

6.jpg


The 1 ½ horse Shop-Vac seems to have the perfect amount of suction.

7.jpg


The belly of the beast.

8.jpg


I’ve been using the Disc Doctor cleaner and have dedicated brushes & wands for the solution and rinse. I saw a huge difference in my finished product when I followed their advice for RCM users. With the record stationary, use a back-and-forth motion and then move on to the next quadrant, etc, etc. Turn on the platter and let the record rotate against your brush (I reverse directions during this operation). Vacuum off your cleaning solution for one revolution. I then change wands and repeat the process with distilled water. The only difference is that I allow several rotations to get the record surface dry. Zap it with a Zerostat and slip it into a fresh sleeve.

9.jpg


I couldn’t be happier with the finished project. I’m not seeing a Mark-III in the near future.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Very nice project. Simple, clean and complete. WTG!

You're project is inspiring me...
 
Wow!
That's some really beautiful work you did! Of course there's better, if you want to spend $4,000 for a Loricraft, or $6,000 for a Keith Monks!

As far as I see it, and provided everything has come together properly, I see no reason that this machine is not at least the equal to the flagship VPI Typhoon, which is what, a $2200 RCM?

I even see benefits past any of the VPI's, as one clear benefit I quickly see, is the ability to get away, and isolate the noise of the damn vacuum! That IMO, is a huge plus!

As you mention, a cabinet could be utilized, or place the vacuum as far away as you like, only limited by the length of vaccum hose.

Another thought that quickly came to mind, is "hell, that thing is so nice, it almost deserves a patent!"

Everything about your machine, cosmetics, layout, parts used, and quality of build say to me that you placed a lot of brain thought, and care into it's design-construction.

I like it a lot! :thmbsp: Mark
 
It's great. Nice job. How does the rubber "stopper" work on the spindle (screws or clamps or ? )?
 
Very, very nice work! And thanks so much for posting the pics and information to help inspire the rest of us!
 
Thank you all for the kind words.

Meggy
The rubber foot or "stopper" as you call it was drilled 1/64" smaller than the size of the spindle (held down by friction). It works very well for both the RCM and non suspended tables.
 
Bluespower, What did you use for a gear motor? I assume the circuit board was part of the motor control. Is it variable speed?

Yeah, I love your RCM.
 
Cosmos

It's a Merkle-Korff motor with the controller on-board. I think it's rated at 21 rpm. A few pieces parts let me step it down to 18 rpm.
 
Do you want to make another one and sell it? I'm beyond impressed, and on to envious! Just astounding workmanship and design. What would you sell it for? Seriously, an excellent, excellent job. PM me if you want..Where did you get the geared motor from?
 
Placing the vacuum in another room with a extension cord is a brilliant idea worth producing for the masses. Patent? I'd think so. The largest complaint many have of RCM's is the noise. You've developed a system that could eliminate that complaint. You could even make a central vac adapter and it would work! Use the RCM to switch it on and off just like the hand held beater bars do.

Well done!
 
Bluespower said:
Cosmos

It's a Merkle-Korff motor with the controller on-board. I think it's rated at 21 rpm. A few pieces parts let me step it down to 18 rpm.
Click to expand...

Bluespower,

I found the motors, I think.. Here
These are reversible 115 VAC gearmotors. To me, 20 RPM sounds a little fast.. Would you think it would be better if it was around 12 RPM?

Thanks!! Did I mention I was inspired by your RCM? :-)
 
The fact that you found 115v motors would eliminate the need for a separate power supply. I see they do have some models with slightly lower rpms for a few dollars more. I looked around their site and couldn't find the model number I used. Mine is a 24v DC variation.

Glad to have been an inspiration. Plan your work and then work to your plan.
 
Last edited:
Bluespower said:
Glad to have been an inspiration. Plan your work and then work to your plan.
Click to expand...

You simply don't know me at all.. That is not in my vocabulary. I wing everything as I go. When I vacation, I might end up someplace close to where my original thought was.. maybe.

My RCM will not and never could be, as neat as yours, but perhaps with the pictures of your unit to reference, I may be able to get something that looks a little better than a bowl of spaghetti. :D

What did you do to adapt the motor shaft to support the platter?

Thanks for your inspiration and guidance.
 
I see Grasshopper....

That's the toughie. You'll need to come up with a stepped adapter (one bore fits the motor shaft - the other fits your platter spindle). It's a make or have made proposition. I can't imagine you'd be lucky enough to find one commercially.
 
Ok, making an adapter is not a problem.

So, we have a motor, platter and a vacuum. However, I have at least one more question, It appears you are using a VPI vacuum tube. I know there is a guy on the Bay that sells the arm tube and the tube holder, where did you find the base that the arm holder drops into through the spring?
 
Bluespower said:
6.jpg


The 1 ½ horse Shop-Vac seems to have the perfect amount of suction.

7.jpg


The belly of the beast.

8.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm building an RCM and wanted to set up a vacuum port like you've done on yours. I am planning to use a standard 1.25" vacuum hose, and it looks like you've done the same on yours. But I'm having a very hard time finding tube/pipes with the proper ID and OD of 1.25". Regular PVC pipe is nominally 1.25", but isn't really 1.25" on the inside. And I don't know where to find the wall plate like you used. Can you tell me what parts you used to building that PVC pipe and port?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom