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DIY Record Cleaning Machine - Finally Done

hi*ball

hi*ball

Records & Coffee
Well, I talked about it and planned it and planned it some more. Now it's finally complete and it works great.
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I will add more pics and a description of what I used for the build very soon.

It uses an external vacuum (my shop vac) and the scrubbing is done by the standard paint pads that everyone loves (and they're cheap!)
 
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The vacuum simply plugs into the side of the unit using the standard shop vac hose.

From there, I ran 1/2" tubing up to the vacuum wand assembly that I made:

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I started off using a smaller paint pad, but got tired of holding it, so I made this assembly and attached it in the back left corner...

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The record is held down with a threaded aluminum clamp. I used a 5/16" threaded rod that I turned down to just under the size of the record hole. I also added an o-ring groove to the under side so that no liquid would get to the record label.

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The motor is 12 volts, 15 RPM. I got it on ebay for about $10.

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Here is a close up of the motor mounted underneath with the flange that I made:

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The suction tube is my own home made version of the VPI. I used 5/8" acrylic tube from TAP Plastics and a 5/8" SS tubing fitting that I bored the threads out of. It now rides on the 1/2" pipe and 3 O-rings (with a little grease).

I milled a 3/32" slot in the acrylic tubing and used a heavy duty carpet tape (2 way) to hold the velvet ribbon. This ribbon is finished on both sides, so all you have to do is cut it to length. (I found the velvet ribbon online. It was sold for hats :idea:) I also made the little red cap on the end.

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The top portion is from an old BIC turntable. That allowed me to use the original BIC cover and also the top trim piece that's a bit darker than the rest.

The record is placed on the platter, clamped down with the threaded clamp and motor turned on. The motor runs both directions.

I squirt the cleaning solution on, then drop the paint pad arm onto the record. It has been set for just the right amount of pressure. I let it run for a few rotations one way, then the other way.

Lift the paint pad arm, move it to the second position, and then vacuum the solution off (both directions).
 
The crazy part is that what was really holding me up was waiting on a friend to build the box. Sadly, I'm good with metal, not so much with wood.
 
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Very nice. I'll bet if you were inclined, you could make up kits of the machined and tubing components and sell them in Bartertown if you became an AK subscriber.

Finding an old turntable and an eBay motor wouldn't be too hard if the other parts were available.

I would buy a kit.

John
 
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