variable mass tonearm

Bibio · 9th May 2013, 01:40 AM

would a tonearm become a variable mass tonearm if one were to cut a slot in an arm tube and fit a weight inside the arm tube with a bolt holding it in position so one could slide the weight up and down the arm tube?

my reckoning is that sliding the weight up towards the yoke would allow for heavier cartridges while sliding it towards the headshell would allow for lighter cartridges.

or am I being stupid again.. lol

tnargs · 9th May 2013, 02:59 AM

Not sure what you are trying to achieve?

If you want to vary the effective mass of the tonearm, put some blutac on top of the headshell. Vary the amount of blutac to suit.

prairieboy · 9th May 2013, 03:05 AM

The SME series III allowed for variable mass by adding, or subtracting, lead weights in the counter weight. They were added to the front of the assembly, with the remaining space in the counter weight assembly filled by 'hollow' plastic spacers.

So, I'd say you aren't being stupid at all, just perhaps didn't have the best way to do it.

Straight Tracker · 9th May 2013, 06:03 AM

Never think of yourself as being stupid!
Soundsmith provides a set of cartridge mounting thumb screw pairs, (no screw driver required) that are progressively heavier. They are made from Delrin, aluminum, stainless steel and brass.
I think they know what they're doing.

Sincerely,

Ralf

Bibio · 10th May 2013, 12:48 AM

ok further to my silly idea. how about the same weight but used as the VTF. so you would attach the cartridge then balance the arm with the sliding arm tube weight at the back of the arm but use the stub weight to balance. once balanced then slide the arm tube weight to desired VTF. that way the armtube would always be the correct mass for the cartridge.

i suppose working out the correct weight for the internal balance weight would be the headache.

Jim W · 10th May 2013, 04:43 AM

Mayware Formula 4 arms had a sliding weight which made the equivalent mass adjustable. Hit images.google.com and you'll see how they did it.

9th May 2013, 01:40 AM	#1
Bibio diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	variable mass tonearm would a tonearm become a variable mass tonearm if one were to cut a slot in an arm tube and fit a weight inside the arm tube with a bolt holding it in position so one could slide the weight up and down the arm tube? my reckoning is that sliding the weight up towards the yoke would allow for heavier cartridges while sliding it towards the headshell would allow for lighter cartridges. or am I being stupid again.. lol

9th May 2013, 06:03 AM	#4
Straight Tracker diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Prescott, Arizona	Hello Bibio Never think of yourself as being stupid! Soundsmith provides a set of cartridge mounting thumb screw pairs, (no screw driver required) that are progressively heavier. They are made from Delrin, aluminum, stainless steel and brass. I think they know what they're doing. Sincerely, Ralf

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9th May 2013, 02:59 AM	#2
tnargs diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	Not sure what you are trying to achieve? If you want to vary the effective mass of the tonearm, put some blutac on top of the headshell. Vary the amount of blutac to suit.

9th May 2013, 03:05 AM	#3
prairieboy diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2010	The SME series III allowed for variable mass by adding, or subtracting, lead weights in the counter weight. They were added to the front of the assembly, with the remaining space in the counter weight assembly filled by 'hollow' plastic spacers. So, I'd say you aren't being stupid at all, just perhaps didn't have the best way to do it.

10th May 2013, 12:48 AM	#5
Bibio diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	ok further to my silly idea. how about the same weight but used as the VTF. so you would attach the cartridge then balance the arm with the sliding arm tube weight at the back of the arm but use the stub weight to balance. once balanced then slide the arm tube weight to desired VTF. that way the armtube would always be the correct mass for the cartridge. i suppose working out the correct weight for the internal balance weight would be the headache.

10th May 2013, 04:43 AM	#6
Jim W diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Brookfield, WI	Mayware Formula 4 arms had a sliding weight which made the equivalent mass adjustable. Hit images.google.com and you'll see how they did it.