My DIY WTL Tonearm

[Jay1234]

WTA Ball side fixing positions

Ok hear is a drawing of the Ball,
The Arm tube is fairly obvious & can go anywhere in the general area of where its drawn.

Now the main thing hear is the position of the side Ball fixings (in relation to the arm tube) for the Strings either side of the Ball, hear marked as 9 & 3.

I have read that they do NOT go at these points i.e. 9 & 3, but a bit lower or a bit higher or a bit forward of these points ????
Cant recall where I saw it.

If anyone can clarify this please do so Using the drawing.

Please use 9 & 3 points as a Reference, in Side, Plan & Front views.

regards Jay

 

[PDRCanada]

Turntable Forum • Late model Well-Tempered owners here?

 

[Jay1234]

A lot to read through, interesting but it only gives a glimpse of the position of the side strings.

 

[Jay1234]

side fixings

look at the positions of the side fixings on a genuine WTA

 

[enzedone]

I loooooooooove pictures


That cross tube looks to be sitting up very close to the arm tube, interesting.


Good stuff

 

[enzedone]

My arm tube is rather thin at 5mm, so I think 18in is out of the question. So might try 15in.

What about dampening the tubing from pivot point back instead the whole arm?

Some where else mentioned chalk

Checked my holes and they are not at 9,3 so here's hoping.

I will put my entry holes for the cable to the side to stop them dragging down too low near the record surface.

 

[Jay1234]

That's exactly what I thought.
I'm sure the height will add to its stability.

Now I recon the side fixings are about, 1mm below the arm tube.
what say you ?

 

[enzedone]

Yes that's what I thought also, it seems he was trying to keep that horizontal pivoting very close to the central pivot point of the arm.

 

[Jay1234]

15" a bit ambitiose try a 12" first you can always extend later, when it sorted
I'm going to be useing a fine volcanic ash from Eaya ( compleatly un pronounceable Icelandic volcano) it's a smooth silky sand like material.
Try it from the back first that would also cut down on the overall counterweight.

 

[enzedone]

But I also have to remind myself that my drilling and accuracy is no where the real deal, so I shouldn't get too worried about all. If it sounds like s.....t then I'll re think the layout/construction

 

[Jay1234]

It also adds 'effective' mass to the ball

 

[enzedone]

Volcanic ash good thinking. Should be plenty of that around?

 

[enzedone]

Yes mass to the end of the arm rather than the whole thing, other wise may over dampen.

I have seen a massive arm built from a violin bow, and that thing looked like it was collapsing but owner hailed it's performance.

 

[Jay1234]

That's seemingly part of the Beauty of this design.
The strings can overcome discrepancies in the position of the holes 1 or 2 mm out could I think be overcome.

 

[enzedone]

Volcanic ash,

Put in a sexy bottle add an extended blurb full of bulls.....t you know audio grade bla, bla, sell for mega bucks!

 

[Jay1234]

I've seen that one like that too, as a uni pivot.

One can use wax to seal the 'sand' in at any point so it can be damped bit by bit.

 

[enzedone]

Today I will endeavour to draw up a plan of the effective length and offset angle to mark out my arm from pivot point.
Maybe try and glue the head shell on as well.
Nice typical rainy summer day in Auckland so no loss!

 

[Jay1234]

It's getting cold hear now temps dropping to below 2 or 3 degrees & +50 mph winds. Winter is on it's way.
I'm off work with an injured hand so can't do very much to the arm.
Might try to drill string fixing cross hole in Ball.
I really only have to find suitable cup, & then start to fabricate it.

But at least most if not all of the theoretical problems have been resolved now.

Yours should start to come together quite quickly now.
What cartridge will you be using

 

[enzedone]

I have an AT110, Nagaoka MP110 and a Ortofon 2M Blue.

So start with the AT110.

 

[Jay1234]

lol…. yes I had thought of doing this whole Bulls……t bit about the Silky Smoothness of the Ash, giving the Arm a Truly sublime Refined Quality bla bla………

Still Ive got two holes in the Ball now.
And two tubes through it.

I don't think it matters how far OUT the string is from the ball but aesthetically IMO it looks better close to the ball.

I haven't attempted to smooth off the inside top edges of the small tube. I most likely will, so it will reduce the opportunity for ware on the string at this point. It will also be glued in some manner, as will the string.