VTA Adjustment Mechanism for DIY Tonearm?

InSides · 16th January 2009, 08:14 PM

Hi all,
I was thinking about whether I would be, at some point, able to make my own tonearm.

I would start with a simple unipivot design and see whether I have the nerves to go through with more complex designs.

However, one thing that is bothering me is whether I could find an effective mechanism for controlling VTA that allows repetitive settings.

Would there be something that I could find and adapt to serve this purpose?

Basically, I am looking for something that, via a thumbscrew, would allow me vertical up/down movement of the pivot assembly to control VTA.

Any thoughts?

deduikertjes · 24th January 2009, 06:12 PM

My arm (see here ) has adjustable VTA, although it is not very sophisticated.

It's easy to lower the base fraction by fraction bu turning a hex screw. Going up is less easy.

But ... it's easy to make.

Greetings, MArco

despotic931 · 26th January 2009, 03:25 AM

I was thinking it might be cool to fabricate a tonearm that had adjustable VTA via rack and pinion (think camera tripod vertical adjustment)

-Justin

deduikertjes · 26th January 2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

rack and pinion

Cool indeed, but I think in the end you'll want to clamp the armpost real tight to a rigid structure.

greets, MArco

despotic931 · 26th January 2009, 03:46 PM

I agree completely, but the rack and pinion would allow you to get the VTA dialed in, and then you could lock it down (most likely with a thumb screw of sorts).

Now if only I knew how to do metal fabrication...

-Justin

jeff spall · 30th January 2009, 01:19 PM

Hi, I've been using these:

The micrometer heads are readily available and surprisingly strong (they're made to be used as travel stops on machine tools). It gives repeatable vta to stupidly fine limits (0.01mm) and the assembly is rigid enough to use the arm without locking off the slide, though that's an option. I'm sure the construction could be adapted to most arms.

The micrometer moves the top up and down and the bottom plate sits on the arm board and carries a ball bearing fixed to the end of the micrometer shaft. The arm base slides inside an outer, which is made to standard Rega dimensions. This also helps to decouple the bearings from the plinth/armboard.

despotic931 · 31st January 2009, 10:36 PM

That's a good idea, now if you only could get it chromed!

- Justin

jeff spall · 1st February 2009, 09:53 AM

The finish is a hard satin chrome - meant to be really durable in a machine shop. Should last for ever being used like this.

despotic931 · 1st February 2009, 03:17 PM

Oh I know, in fact I still use the same ones given to me by my grandfather. I was just saying they should be chromed for "matchings" sake.

16th January 2009, 08:14 PM	#1
InSides diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	VTA Adjustment Mechanism for DIY Tonearm? Hi all, I was thinking about whether I would be, at some point, able to make my own tonearm. I would start with a simple unipivot design and see whether I have the nerves to go through with more complex designs. However, one thing that is bothering me is whether I could find an effective mechanism for controlling VTA that allows repetitive settings. Would there be something that I could find and adapt to serve this purpose? Basically, I am looking for something that, via a thumbscrew, would allow me vertical up/down movement of the pivot assembly to control VTA. Any thoughts?

30th January 2009, 01:19 PM	#6
jeff spall diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Surrey, UK	Hi, I've been using these: The micrometer heads are readily available and surprisingly strong (they're made to be used as travel stops on machine tools). It gives repeatable vta to stupidly fine limits (0.01mm) and the assembly is rigid enough to use the arm without locking off the slide, though that's an option. I'm sure the construction could be adapted to most arms. The micrometer moves the top up and down and the bottom plate sits on the arm board and carries a ball bearing fixed to the end of the micrometer shaft. The arm base slides inside an outer, which is made to standard Rega dimensions. This also helps to decouple the bearings from the plinth/armboard. __________________ Analogue stuff at www.audiomods.co.uk

1st February 2009, 09:53 AM	#8
jeff spall diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Surrey, UK	The finish is a hard satin chrome - meant to be really durable in a machine shop. Should last for ever being used like this. __________________ Analogue stuff at www.audiomods.co.uk

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24th January 2009, 06:12 PM	#2
deduikertjes diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	My arm (see here ) has adjustable VTA, although it is not very sophisticated. It's easy to lower the base fraction by fraction bu turning a hex screw. Going up is less easy. But ... it's easy to make. Greetings, MArco

26th January 2009, 03:25 AM	#3
despotic931 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I was thinking it might be cool to fabricate a tonearm that had adjustable VTA via rack and pinion (think camera tripod vertical adjustment) -Justin

26th January 2009, 03:46 PM	#5
despotic931 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I agree completely, but the rack and pinion would allow you to get the VTA dialed in, and then you could lock it down (most likely with a thumb screw of sorts). Now if only I knew how to do metal fabrication... -Justin

31st January 2009, 10:36 PM	#7
despotic931 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	That's a good idea, now if you only could get it chromed! - Justin

1st February 2009, 03:17 PM	#9
despotic931 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	Oh I know, in fact I still use the same ones given to me by my grandfather. I was just saying they should be chromed for "matchings" sake.

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