hutchballs
Member
Like many AKers, I wanted to make myself a vacuum RCM to avoid the great expense of a purchased unit. After completing the project, I would highly recommend the vacuum cleaning method to those who doubt.
It all started with one of a couple old tape storage bins I found at local thrift store. Cool story in itself.... found 5 tape storage bins with >300 vinyl rip cassettes from the 70s-80s for $20. After organizing them, I had one left over that was falling apart and it went to the garage. Pic is one of the good ones I kept for tape storage for reference.
I failed to take pics of the construction process so no in progress pics to be found. The build I will attempt to simply describe below. It was simply gluing the sides back on to make the box structurally sound. I had a Pioneer table, black plastic belt drive model, with a broken motor, so I used the spindle bearing assembly and platter as the record holder. So obviously this is a manual spin DIY RCM. I then made a trip to Lowes to get a small wet/dry shop vac, some various plumbing fittings and adapters to get from shop vac hose to 1/2"pvc. I also picked up the commonly used square paint applicator to be my cleaner. I tore the guts out of the old tape organizer with care to save what would show once project was completed. I removed the parts of the drawers that interfered with the internal vacuum plumbing and spindle attachment and gorilla glued the drawer fronts back on to complete the aesthetics. I then liberally brushed some polyurethane to keep the spillage from soaking in. I use a typical homebrew solution for cleaning, 50% rubbing alcohol, 50% water, splash of jetdry. Also water bottle for rinsing. Both with lids pierced from the back side with a nail for ease of application. I also keep some lint free rags around for cleanup. And for the pics.
My wand is easier to remove then spin out of the way for record change. So I lightly sanded the end that connects to the elbow for quick change. I plugged the end with a pipe plug I had in my random hardware drawer. I heated it with a torch so I could press fit in the end to seal the vacuum. I then flattened the side that would have the vacuum slit, courtesy of the dremel tool, with a rasp. I also made the end that received the heated plug back to round so it would not touch the record. I originally tried to surround the vacuum slit this with a piece of microfiber fabric, but the suction kept pulling the record to the wand and I was fearful it would scratch my records or overheat the shop vac. So I bought an extra paint pad and cut a piece to glue on the PVC wand so the wand would not contact the record.
All in all it works great and I am happy with the result except the records do not come off 100% dry. A small time of air dry and they are ready for play. Should I be content with this or does anyone have any tips to modify my design to do a better job of removing all the moisture?
It all started with one of a couple old tape storage bins I found at local thrift store. Cool story in itself.... found 5 tape storage bins with >300 vinyl rip cassettes from the 70s-80s for $20. After organizing them, I had one left over that was falling apart and it went to the garage. Pic is one of the good ones I kept for tape storage for reference.
I failed to take pics of the construction process so no in progress pics to be found. The build I will attempt to simply describe below. It was simply gluing the sides back on to make the box structurally sound. I had a Pioneer table, black plastic belt drive model, with a broken motor, so I used the spindle bearing assembly and platter as the record holder. So obviously this is a manual spin DIY RCM. I then made a trip to Lowes to get a small wet/dry shop vac, some various plumbing fittings and adapters to get from shop vac hose to 1/2"pvc. I also picked up the commonly used square paint applicator to be my cleaner. I tore the guts out of the old tape organizer with care to save what would show once project was completed. I removed the parts of the drawers that interfered with the internal vacuum plumbing and spindle attachment and gorilla glued the drawer fronts back on to complete the aesthetics. I then liberally brushed some polyurethane to keep the spillage from soaking in. I use a typical homebrew solution for cleaning, 50% rubbing alcohol, 50% water, splash of jetdry. Also water bottle for rinsing. Both with lids pierced from the back side with a nail for ease of application. I also keep some lint free rags around for cleanup. And for the pics.
My wand is easier to remove then spin out of the way for record change. So I lightly sanded the end that connects to the elbow for quick change. I plugged the end with a pipe plug I had in my random hardware drawer. I heated it with a torch so I could press fit in the end to seal the vacuum. I then flattened the side that would have the vacuum slit, courtesy of the dremel tool, with a rasp. I also made the end that received the heated plug back to round so it would not touch the record. I originally tried to surround the vacuum slit this with a piece of microfiber fabric, but the suction kept pulling the record to the wand and I was fearful it would scratch my records or overheat the shop vac. So I bought an extra paint pad and cut a piece to glue on the PVC wand so the wand would not contact the record.
All in all it works great and I am happy with the result except the records do not come off 100% dry. A small time of air dry and they are ready for play. Should I be content with this or does anyone have any tips to modify my design to do a better job of removing all the moisture?
