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Storing Headshells

kevinmasters

kevinmasters

Well-Known Member
What do you folks use to store headshells loaded with carts when not in use? I think sitting them in the window sill needs to be a thing of the past for me.:nono: I saw some cart cases but not loaded headshell cases.

Thanks in advance!
Kevin
 
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I got a small fishing tackle box from walmart

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put some foamboard in the bottom , traced out the headshell then drilled holes, I use twist ties to secure the headshell to the bottom of the box.

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I have also made one of these things, I got the plastic bin from a thriftstore , drilled holes big enough for the headshell base and done

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Now we're talking. Great ideas!

jeremyjustic said:
I got a small fishing tackle box from walmart

hs1.jpg


put some foamboard in the bottom , traced out the headshell then drilled holes, I use twist ties to secure the headshell to the bottom of the box.

photo2.jpg


I have also made one of these things, I got the plastic bin from a thriftstore , drilled holes big enough for the headshell base and done

hs3.jpg


hs4.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I've seen people use those little glass cheese domes with the wooden base. Drill some holes in the base a la jeremyjustic's contraption, and voila, instant headshell display!

I'd look for some photos to post but damn I'm feeling lazy right now...
 
I have thought about 35mm slide boxes, and you could even use old slides as dividers.

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Here is what I actually use though. A pill box for cartridges, though I keep meaning to put some cotton balls in there to keep them from bouncing around, and underneath it a flatish wooden box that held some tool or other from Home Depot for the headshells. I lined it with some of that cushioned drawer liner.


Which Pill? by Buhduh, on Flickr
 
I use a Rek-O-Kut Cartridge Caddy. There is a keyed socket in the base that holds the headshell firmly.
 

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The free minidisc transparent cases that used to come with a 10 or 20 pack might make a good display box. They are tall enough for the headshell in the upright position and would simply need a drilled mdf or wooden insert to hold the cartridge securely.:scratch2:
 
I use a Shure cartridge case. It's even claimed to be waterproof! (Note the rubber seal.)

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Well, that didn't happen to me personally, just what I read online. But I eyeballed closing my case at home with the aformention headshells installed and sure enough they will touch. :(

There's a new design out that has the black holders in different positions. Have no experience with that one...
 
If you have a friend or relative with a small baby ask them for the empty Gerber food containers. The newer ones are plastic rectangular cubes just the right size for a cartridge and headshell and have snap on lids. They're free, work great and stack nicely.

Dave/ChairSpud
 
I like the shure one but would be worried about smashing the carts together. I made the tackle box one for when I was moving cross country, I really wanted something that would keep the headshells locked down. plus with the different sizes of headshells it was the most versatile. It worked perfectly, everything made the 3000 mile move in one piece.

I really like the glass dome cheese server as Nate (Redboy) suggested. My buddy made one and it looks cool as hell......just found some pics of one my buddy Britt made
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I have four headshells with mounted carts. I have two turntables. Two headshells are aligned for each table. I store the second headshell in the holder on the plinth. Funny thing is for years I wonder what those odd holes in the plinth were for. Somewhere along the line it dawned on me they were bayonet mounts like the headshell mounts. Maybe I actually read the manual or something!
 
cgutz said:
I have four headshells with mounted carts. I have two turntables. Two headshells are aligned for each table. I store the second headshell in the holder on the plinth. Funny thing is for years I wonder what those odd holes in the plinth were for. Somewhere along the line it dawned on me they were bayonet mounts like the headshell mounts. Maybe I actually read the manual or something!
Click to expand...

Well, I'll be damned... I've always wondered what the hell those were but I guess I didn't wonder hard enough. :scratch2: Depending on the mount, it can expose the stylus to potential hazard. My SL-D1 faces away and toward the cover. MyKD-5077 has one facing forward at 45 degrees. That one could get bumped pretty easily.

Good job on reading that manual!:thmbsp:
 
I run with way too many headshells and cartridges as I have Thorens TTs with both Thorens arms with the proprietary (nuisance) headshells and SME tonearms with stock or SME headshells.

I picked up a used quite nice wooden cutlery box at a thrift shop. Its a nice size (maybe held a dozen steak knives or something, not a full on 12 place setting box), came felt lined, and holds about 16 or so headshells with cartridges mounted. Now, the headshells are not attached to anything and the box only sits on a shelf...its not for carrying about like a DJ box...but it does keep them dust free while providing easy access. And was a pretty cheap option.
 
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