Building ANOTHER RCM!

dnpainting · Jun 19, 2011

The last RCM I built works pretty well with using a motor from a Pioneer PL-L1000 turntable. It does, however have its faults. 1) The platter spins too fast, IMO, for record cleaning. 2) It only spins in one direction. 3) It was built into a console cabinet and is too long and too low, I hate bending.

The new one I am going to be building will have a reversible motor, already purchased a 120V reversible) with a gearbox that I purchased separately to slow the spin down to 12 RPM. I also have a Technics bearing and platter from a, beyond repair, SL-D3 that I had purchased for a few bucks a while back. So far, I have removed the gear from the bearing housing of the Technics and cut down a sleeve to fit over the motors gearbox shaft onto the Technics bearing and drilled holes into the sleeve, tapped threads and installed set screws. The reason I decided to do it this way was I could not find a gear that had a 25.4 pitch like the Technics.

I hope Big Bill doesn't mind, but I was going to steal the idea of 12V water pumps from automotive windshield washers.

The new unit will stand taller and take up less space and hopefully live up to the high quality builds I see hear at AK.

I will hopefully be adding a twist, just trying to work out minor things to get that part to work.

Will post pics as I build.

EDIT* BTW-Motor has 43Lb's-in of torque. Added Photo of Motor.

Waiting on 2 (12vdc) washer pumps to arrive from fleabay so I can get started on the wood cuts.

Thank you

David

dnpainting · Jun 26, 2011

Received the washer pumps and started with the mounting of the platter motor. Stopped by Michaels Craft Store and picked up some 12" X 12" X 1/8" cork for the platter. Used 3M 90 spray adhesive after I cut it to shape and set a vise on the inside of the platter to hold while it dried. Now, I am working on motorised vacuum and cleaning/rinse arms for push button control with micro kill switch. I don't know how well that will work but I thought I would give it a shot. I also purchased some smoke color lexan to build a cover and line the board below the platter. This is a slow build so I will keep posting as I complete.

More Pics:

nerdorama · Jun 27, 2011

Hi David,

I just got a platter and bearing to start my RCM project. My bearing looks just like yours. Any chance there are more motors available from your source? Keep up the good work. I'm interested in your results.

Thanks,
John

dnpainting · Jun 27, 2011

Hi John,

I got the motor and gearhead off ebay. The last time I checked, they had quite a few motors. You can also go to www.orientalmotor.com to find motor and gearhead specs to find the right ratio and torque you want.

I will send a PM with the information on the source.

David

dnpainting · Jun 29, 2011

Cleaning Solution and Rinse Spray Nozzles (Before Paint)

Just completed the Nozzles for cleaning and rinse. This contains 3/4" PVC Pipe which I melted at one end to wrap around 2 brass elbows. There are 2 separate 3/8" PVC Pipes in which I drilled 5-#25 holes and tapped with 10-24 thread in each. Then I threaded Mister Nozzles to each tube. From the elbow on the inside of the 3/4" pipe, I used swamp cooler tubing and came out in which this will attatch to the pumps. After everything was fitted, I used caulking to seal the elbow and the end caps. After a few hrs of drying, I ran another test to check for any leaks.
Next, I took a 3/4" PVC coupling and cut 2- rings off and drilled and tapped for a set screw. These will be used for height adjustment for the spray pattern to spray the correct width of the record.
I bonded the 2 tubes together with Gorilla brand epoxy (2 Part) and I also poured into the 3/4" PVC about an inch thick to hold the swamp cooler tubing in place and prevent from popping out of the elbows.

Tomorrow- A trip to home depot for Plastic Primer and a Hammered type spray paint and a couple large washers for between wood and rings.

Here are a couple pix before paint. Not the nicest thing to look at but it will, after paint. (I Hope Anyways)

24HACKER · Jun 29, 2011

Interesting thread - keep up the photos and descriptions - I have to keep an eye on this one. Good stuff!!

dnpainting · Jun 29, 2011

Painting Of Nozzles Finished!

I used Rust-oleum Specialty Plastic Primer, 3 tack coats and 1 heavier, sanding after tacks. Finished with Rust-oleum Hammered Dark Bronze with 3 tack coats and 2 finish coats, sanding after tack coats. I will wait a few more hours to mount onto the Platter Board. While the paint is curing, I will be laying out the switch board and building the 4-Drawer section of this cabinet. Later tonight when it is too late to run tools, I will construct the cleaning arm, using metal pipe for weight, padding off a grout trowel covered by micro-fiber. I missed one area of sanding as seen in photo 3 that I will have to fix after a bit more curing.

Thank You!

David

dnpainting · Jul 2, 2011

Design on the Arm Raise and Swing Mechanism For this RCM

I had a bit of brain storming to do on this. I was originally going to use a tuner type setup with the pulley's and string but felt that it would be too much of a hassle to try to get the tension correct. Anyways, this is what I came up with. The stationary gear, washer and nut will be epoxied to the tube. the tension spring I think will help any shaking from the screw, though, I could be wrong. This part will be built for the Cleaning Pad Arm and the Vacuum Arm. The Spray arm will only have the swing set-up as I will lock the height manually when I get this RCM complete. The Platter section will hopefully be finished by mid next week. Too much going on this weekend to work on it. I hope you can understand my drawing ok.

Have a great 4th of July AKers!

Thank you!

David

dnpainting · Jul 9, 2011

A Little Woodworking Tip Needed!

I've cut the 3/4" Birch Plywood today, and cut the datoes. I wanted to put Half Blind Dovetail Joint to assemble the sides to the back piece (I like the way dovetails look). While running a few sample cuts to make sure all my settings are right on my template I ran into a problem, the plywood chips (I'm sure you were saying that before you read it!). I wanted to see if anyone here had a solution to stop the chipping of the plywood. I've heard of using blue masking tape to help with splintering while ripping plywood but would that help on dovetails?
I would test it now but I threw out my back when I sneezed today and have been layed up the rest of the day. So, off to the Chiropractor in the morning, then back to work on it, thus, hoping for a few suggestions before then.

Thank You!

Update* Found the solution for Tear Outs: Use a spiral cut bit or put a 1/8" MDF board in front and behind piece cutting.

dnpainting · Jul 14, 2011

Too many problems with trying to cut a half blind dovetail joint. Tried slowing router down a bit, tried a slower and faster feed, tried the MDF trick but all the sample pieces would chip and splinter. So that's a no go!

Today I ordered a new VPI Record Cleaning Brush to add to this instead of using micro fiber. There is a micro fiber pad on the vacuum arm anyway. Also, I ordered some R/C servo's with continuous 360 deg. rotation for the Raise/lower and swing mechanics. I felt that a 12vdc motor would be too fast for this. Hopefully, these will arrive soon so I can get that part finished.

I am currently in the process of assembling the cabinet with a drawer assembly for storage. I will take some pictures probably within the next couple of days as my wifes B'Day is today and we will be out and about with her.

So far, I've have spent approx 2 bills on this, and I believe I have everything to complete the job. This, however, does not include the parts that I am removing from the old one (Vacuum, VPI Vacuum Tube and Holder) but those shouldn't count. I could have just bought a spin clean but that wouldn't be as fun as a DIY.

Take Care!

dnpainting · Jul 17, 2011

Partial Assembly Pictures!

OK, here are a few pictures of what I've done so far. First off, the bottom piece is not permanently installed yet. I had little drawers from old cabinets laying around in the garage in which I screwed them together and knocked off the faces to install a long face across all drawers. The gaps on each side of the drawers will be filled with insulation and capped with wood. I did not center the platter as the cleaner and rinse fluid buckets with lids will be sunk into holes that I will cut out this week. This section will be sealed off from the electrical area with a divider and the pump motors will be directly below the buckets on a sliding shelf for maintenance. The platter section will also be removable for maintenance purposes. A power strip will be installed in the section where the motors will be below the platter, along with the switches. The vacuum goes in bottom section which will be insulated and 2- 2" port will be cut in the back for ventilation and 2 tubes installed directing airflow to and away from the vacuum. The VPI Record Cleaning Brush arrived today but still waiting on the servos. Anyways, here are some pictures.

Thank you!

dnpainting · Jul 17, 2011

Wash & Rinse Section

Here are some pictures of the wash & rinse pumps and containers. I decided against mounting the buckets to the platter section just because of looks so I will center the platter.

dnpainting · Jul 20, 2011

Poking Along!

Still waiting on servos from China, they just left NJ and should be here in a few days. I have re-set the platter in the center and drilled out for the arms. I also built a holder with set screws for the VPI brush, nothing fancy or spectacular but I believe it will do fine. I also ran a V-Groove around the outside of the platter for any excess water run off. I have some smoke colored Lexan that I am going to place over the platter board and then heat where the V-Groove is to have it sink into it.

After a cold soda break, the switch panel is my next step. I am at a toss-up between front mount or side mount. My son seems to think front, but my gut may get in the way.

Still have a ways to go, but I'm getting there..

dnpainting · Jul 27, 2011

Some Changes In Design!

Well, I ran into some snags. The entire tube for fluid and rinse sprung leaks. Rather than trying to fix the leaks, I decided not to be common with this RCM and have rotating style arms. So off to the Depot I went.
I have both types of TT's but I am using 2 linear tracking ones so, why not have a linear RCM? I just spent a good 10 hrs building this mechanism for the Brush and Fluid Sprays. I just finished the mechanics of it and wired it to test it out. Mind you, neither the brush nor sprayers are attached yet, as I still have to do that part again.
The brush will be attached to the carriage platform using a up/down pivot with a single pin and just rest on the record being cleaned. I figured the weight of the wood and sprayers would be enough pressure. The sprayers will be attached to both sides of the brush. This took 3 360deg robot servos, 4 micro switches, closet door roller sets (3 of the 4 rollers w/bearings), 1-36" solid aluminum rod 1/4" dia. and runs on 6VDC. Anyways, here are some pictures and hopefully I can get this video loaded of the mechanics at work.

Video Link: http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4718/y99k.mp4

The slight hesitation (In the video) on the return of the carriage is do to loosly attached wires to the switch. I haven't soldered onto switch yet. My apologies for how long this is taking to complete.

dnpainting · Aug 10, 2011

Video of Spray and Brush Cleaner!

Now that the wife is back to work off her vacation, I can work on this again. Here is a video update with the brush and water spray head. I still have some finish work to do on it like round the edges and trim off the extra tubing etc., but getting closer. I still have to get the vacuum arm done and cut the Lexan for the TT deck. Once everything is in place, I will have to unassemble for wood finishing. Shouldn't be too long now....I Hope!

Thank you for viewing

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/1320/xyp.mp4

dnpainting · Sep 21, 2011

Sorry for the delay in getting this RCM finished. All is done except the cabinet finish. I put a gear drive on the vacuum arm, the gears are off an old printer. I also spray painted with rubber coating spray on the cork platter. This eliminates the need for a weight of any kind and also helps with static on the record. The front will be painted Black as I used a lot of wood I had laying around here so the wood types aren't the same. Here are some pictures:

dnpainting · Sep 21, 2011

More Pics:

dnpainting · Sep 21, 2011

And one more:
Video To Follow

dnpainting · Sep 21, 2011

Here is the video link:

I don't have the cleaner mixed yet, I have to go get some alcohol so this is just water.

Thank you for viewing

Kabat · Sep 21, 2011

That is, hands down, one of the most insane things I have ever seen. And I want one.

Amazing work, I hope you enjoy that thing!

Building ANOTHER RCM!

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