Restoring and Improving A Thorens TD-124 MKII

Interesting article from Linn about upgrading the bearing from a Scully Lathe


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The Linn bearing mod is better. Otherwise I like the orignal more. The Scully Classic Records used was using a Technics SP 10 as drive ( we cut some 78 even and they are better ). Great when cutting Belefonte, not so good when fast tempo. If someone with experiance of the Technics servo's had played a bit who knows, best I know it was standard. It is just possible Paris Texas was cut on that lathe before that mod as same outfit, no idea if true. How the Technics works is extremely interesting ( I'm not saying as I was asked not to, I don't think you will guess, it' so simple and no one seems interested. It's not voltage envellope shaping and all that guff ). It's torque is a bit low. I have never been near a JVC lathe . I suspect it's similar, as far as I know JVC designed the SP10.
 
Sorry for being little offtopic

Bearing :
I am not good at technicalities of electronic and mechanical things. But heavy platter would put more pressure on contact point. If it contact area is small the more pressure and probably more noise. Flat surface would distribute weight and lubricant would reduce friction. Another idea would be to magnetically lift the weight of heavy platter (Verdier) but ball would still be in contact with the thrust plate. Am I thinking right ? Another thoughts I have is why not have a cylindrical shaft in triangle busing (Like connoisseur turntables). This would reduce contact surface area. Right ?
Regards
 

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Brian Mortimer who designed the 401 thrust is still alive and stilll very happy to be in the story of his dads 301. Monty his dad invented autochangers which Thorens amongst others built under licence. It was called the drain pipe as Monty sliced a bit off of the rainware at home to make the cog/cam ( not stove pipe ). Monty told his boss about his shed invention. Garrard were so impressed he was taken to the London patents office the same day. Soon after he was boss of design.

When Terry and I completed the 501 we were with Brian at the Heathrow show and Concorde had just taken off at 11 AM as always. Brian had tears in his eyes and said " I never dreamed I would be at a hi fi show again with a Garrard badge ". He then asked when we started the project and said ( 1984?? as just a few sketches and called project Sam after Terry's dog ) " Dad was still alive and would have stayed alive longer to see it through, He would have helped. No, he would have taken over." Brian said 501 is exactly as the prototypes before the cost engineers got to them. Not one thing in the 501 is unlike 301/401and we got - 79 dB weighted rumble! Terry was very friendly with Garrard as he visited as Wolf Electric Tools technical rep. Later with Tech power tools that BR Swindon used.

One day someone said some 301's we restored had the wrong bolts. As we religously didn't change things we asked Brian. Simple he said, sometimes we were on "stop" with a supplier and bought were we could. Often the "experts" know things from Folk Law and the truth is far simpler.

Brain recently restored Monty's Ford Capri Classic ( Circa 1960, not the Mustang clone ). If you know the car it says Monty was not a stuffed shirt. Brian uses it as daily transport. We knew Mr Griggs who made the platters. He always stopped the lathe and then pulled the cutter off afterwards, you can see this on some platters as a mark. The cut was a bit quick and the size is slightly wider to the top due to heating. It didn't matter and his speed was what they wanted. Garrard never cut corners where it mattered. Equally they never did more than the job required. Paint had 4 quality standards. Knobs area grade one, under platter 2, sides 3 ( runs ), underside 4 and using air drying paint whilst the rest baked.

Hiten if you read this India's poorer people have better social services and health than 1920's Swindon.

Barry Leighton looks at new book of Monty's memories (From Swindon Advertiser)
 
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You're saying to use olive oil in the noise reduction kit? When the oil I'm using turns black, it gunks up and slows/stops the idler wheel from spinning freely, so it does need to be cleaned out.

This is the noise reduction kit I'm talking about: Thorens Noise reductiekit voor tussenwiel - 1306

I've already inquired with Hanze, but Schopper won't tell them what type of oil it is (at least that's what they told me).
 
The SAE30 no additives was recomended by Dr Edward Bowers ex of British Non Ferrous Metals ( Co inventor of the modern fuel cell and father of a friend, His boss Francis Bacon a decendant of. Yes the device that went to the Moon ). Oil research was done by the now closed Esso research station I think in Abingdon. The boss was a hi fi nut. The only variation being SAE number. The ones sold for old cars should work. We used power station oil. They also don't like the black gunge. I talked with the guys at the Hoover Dam. They know the problem and regret trying newer oils.

Some use AFT. I think it's OK.

No Snake oil please.
 
That's called a Navy bearing and is well respected.

13.7 - 0.55 for G I think ( perhaps ). Interestingly the old Hebrew for era is much like day. 0.55 was the first day so to speak. The Universe was too hot at first. One needs to look at the old world sometimes and wood is valid. It is a relaxed carbon fibre. Education in the round and turntables ? Wood will damp resonance.
 
Hi Jim,

I have arrived back home (2000 mile round trip) from the wedding with goodies in my clutches (pun intended.) Many thanks for the clutch assembly, it is mightily appreciated. I will get to work on acquiring the circlips & springs, and fashion a handle. I found some spare grub screws in a box acquired with the second TD-124 so don't have a problem as far as they are concerned. I'll post a few pictures when done.

Regards, Kevin
 
ATF would work well as long as tolerances are tight. Tolerances made to work with 30 wt oils will not work with any thin oils and should be avoided

Retards
David

SAE 30 Exxon-Esso came up with was a compromise. In fact the oil tried only is given a related SAE number and is sold as straight refined fraction No 77 ( or 68, never can remember which we prefered, they are close ). It's so close to SAE 30 that is seems best to say that. Minimum size 25 litres as fraction 77 imported from France. Singer sewing machine oil is reasonable.

I am told Verdier used this. I bought some for the lathe based on that.

https://www.rocol.com/products/x5-high-load-slideway-lubricant