DIY Tonearm

kitemap · 22nd November 2007, 04:11 PM

Hello,
Being unspired by this, I've decided to try and attempt knocking up one myself.
I will post a progress report up here as I go along but I have a question that I need answering before I even get started with the main arm tube.
Is there any benefit to shielding the wires in the arm tube?
I will be a tube running down the centre of my dowel anyway, for ease of wiring/re-wiring and if shielding isn't an issue then it will be a thin plastic straw so I can bend it to shape. If shielding is an issue then what should it be made from?

Thank you

David

vinylkid58 · 22nd November 2007, 05:52 PM

Based on what I've read, there doesn't seem to be any benefit from having shielded arm wires. As far as tubing goes, just use whatever works.

Looks like a nice arm. Is this going on a Lenco?

Jeff

kitemap · 23rd November 2007, 11:01 AM

No, for now it will be have to be on it's own plinth and used on my Pink Triangle, as I'm going for a 12" arm. I'm planning eventually to make a turntable to suit.

Here's a little piccy of the arm tube and a cross section through. It will be Walnut on each side with a 4mm strip of Ebony down the middle with a slot in for the wires.

Nanook · 25th November 2007, 02:56 AM

Ok, another tonearm I thought about would be the use of hickory or maple drum sticks. The bows and cello parts are cool though. The really great thing about all this is that if you use even a small amount of care, good results can be had.

Your arm idea looks very good. Wish I could actually work with wood rther than murder it (I'm feeling a little woodicide happening soon

)

stoolpigeon · 25th November 2007, 11:08 AM

If you plan on using an MC cartridge or mounting the arm on a deck with an AC motor I think it would be wise to shield the wiring.

Nanook · 25th November 2007, 11:14 AM

shield the motor

Nautillus · 1st December 2007, 08:52 PM

The signal leads don't need to be shielded - use twisted pairs. You could try splitting CAT5. I rebuilt an SME with an ultra-light Balsa arm which has seen about 25 years service, and embedded single thread twisted pair enamelled copper wires and it's fine. Arm mass is critical though, especially if you want to be able to track warped records.

Mike

22nd November 2007, 04:11 PM	#1
kitemap diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	DIY Tonearm Hello, Being unspired by this, I've decided to try and attempt knocking up one myself. I will post a progress report up here as I go along but I have a question that I need answering before I even get started with the main arm tube. Is there any benefit to shielding the wires in the arm tube? I will be a tube running down the centre of my dowel anyway, for ease of wiring/re-wiring and if shielding isn't an issue then it will be a thin plastic straw so I can bend it to shape. If shielding is an issue then what should it be made from? Thank you David

25th November 2007, 02:56 AM	#4
Nanook diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chinook Country.Alberta	tonearms... Ok, another tonearm I thought about would be the use of hickory or maple drum sticks. The bows and cello parts are cool though. The really great thing about all this is that if you use even a small amount of care, good results can be had. Your arm idea looks very good. Wish I could actually work with wood rther than murder it (I'm feeling a little woodicide happening soon ) __________________ stew ☮ -"A sane man in an insane world appears insane."

25th November 2007, 11:14 AM	#6
Nanook diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chinook Country.Alberta	or.... shield the motor __________________ stew ☮ -"A sane man in an insane world appears insane."

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22nd November 2007, 05:52 PM	#2
vinylkid58 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, B.C.	Based on what I've read, there doesn't seem to be any benefit from having shielded arm wires. As far as tubing goes, just use whatever works. Looks like a nice arm. Is this going on a Lenco? Jeff

25th November 2007, 11:08 AM	#5
stoolpigeon diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laputa	If you plan on using an MC cartridge or mounting the arm on a deck with an AC motor I think it would be wise to shield the wiring.

1st December 2007, 08:52 PM	#7
Nautillus diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007	The signal leads don't need to be shielded - use twisted pairs. You could try splitting CAT5. I rebuilt an SME with an ultra-light Balsa arm which has seen about 25 years service, and embedded single thread twisted pair enamelled copper wires and it's fine. Arm mass is critical though, especially if you want to be able to track warped records. Mike

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