DIY HiFi Supply Turntable Bearing

[fasterbyelan]

Has anyone used the bearing supplied by DIY HiFi Supply ? (See - Turntable Bearing | Diy HiFi Supply). If so how do you rate it and where is the oil reservoir? I drawing would also be useful (I have asked for one but to no avail).

Would forum members recommend any other bearing? Ideally the bearing is to be used on a 50mm thick wood/mdf platter and would need to be self lubricating.

Regards,

Karl

[fasterbyelan]

As I have not received a reply to my earlier question regarding the DIY HiFi Supplied bearing I assume that not many people are using such. Therefore what bearings are people using when they make there own turntable?

Regards,

Karl

[Jacques Merde]

I machined my own . The spindle is non-magnetic stainless 0.750" diameter with two 0.75" journals with 1" separation between them. The bearing is bearing bronze sourced from McMaster-Carr with a clearance of less than 0.001". The thrust system consists of a 0.250" carbide ball against a 0.750" 52100 steel ball.

I built this over 20 years ago and I've unfortunately lost the design documentation .

Cheers,

[Studio Au]

Buy a second hand or new one from an established company. Lenco, Garrard, Technics, Terres,

The custom ones i have seen, require upwards of £400 or a metal machine shop capable of extremely tight tolerances.

I really wanted to try the Altman, Harley division approach;

The Altmann DIY Turntable

but it just cant be made that accurate. And you can get new bearing cheaper, for around £15 on eBay.

What wood/mdf platter are you using/making?

[TonedeafDIY]

I also machined my own. Inverted design, lapped and polished. I have no drawings what so ever

[winggo]

I am manufacturing a turntable spindle bearing and an acrylic platter that can go with it. At some time in the near future I will have a motor and controler that will use feedback from the platter to maintain speed. Bearing is massive with an UHMD bearing sleeve that the stainless steel bearing shaft rides in. The UHMD is impregnated with a lubricant so any future lubrication is not necessary.

The platter is weighted with lead that is incased in epoxy. It weighs over 18 lbs. and is turned true on a precision lathe. We have not finalized the motor design yet but will keep you posted on that.

The spindle bearing sells for $210.00 and the platter sells for $220.00 plus shipping. My email is george@advance-sign.com if you want more info.

[Deckman]

Originally Posted by fasterbyelan

Has anyone used the bearing supplied by DIY HiFi Supply ? (See - Turntable Bearing | Diy HiFi Supply). If so how do you rate it and where is the oil reservoir? I drawing would also be useful (I have asked for one but to no avail).

Would forum members recommend any other bearing? Ideally the bearing is to be used on a 50mm thick wood/mdf platter and would need to be self lubricating.

Regards,

Karl

Hi, I have used this bearing a number of times and it is quite good effort but I had noticed that some are better than others. This inconsistency has led me to investigate manufacture of my own bearing which features strong magnets to provide a repelling force of up to 14kg! The magnets are an integral part of the bearing assembly which makes it easy to mount the platter. It has taken some time to find a UK manufacturer capable of achieving the finish and tolerances required but I now have drawings out for quote expect to have a sample early in the new year. I think for your purposes the DIY HiFi Supply bearing will be fine it will support up to 3 1/2 kg with no problem. As for the oil reservoir, there is no need as grooves in the spindle constantly pump oil to the top of the spindle.

Mark

[lowpoke]

Originally Posted by Studio Au

Buy a second hand or new one from an established company. Lenco, Garrard, Technics, Terres,

I'm rebuilding a Lenco GL75 so am familiar with those offering custom and upgraded parts for these turntables. Word is you can't go past this highly regarded hand made precision machined stainless bearing from one of the regulars on the Lenco forum;

There's one for sale here