DIY lightweight record clamp -!not based on weight!

furious · 14th May 2006, 11:05 AM

I was searching for a suitable record clamp for my turntable (nad 5120) which has a floating chassis, so clamps which press the record by their weight are not compatible with my turntable.I would like to find something which is attached to the rotating axis of the turntable, and pressure on the record is achieved by some mechanical technique.(not by the weight of the record clamp).Has anybody found a lightweight record clamping solution for floating suspension turntabels?

k3ys3r_soz3 · 14th May 2006, 12:44 PM

how about the michel record clamp - uses pawls to grip the spindle - and is reasonably lightweight

tubenut · 15th May 2006, 08:14 AM

Clear Audio Souther Clever Clamp should work.....
It is light as it is plastic and it is low weight and grabs the spindle.

It is also not that expensive @ 30 dollars, although it is just a plastic disc.

The only part I do not like about it and why I do not use mine on my Linn with Akito is that the headshell has a diagonal flange on its side that on some lead out grooves hits the clamp. No probs with a Rega arm though...

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc....t.A/id.1139/.f

arnoldc · 15th May 2006, 09:02 AM

I have both of the aforementioned products.

My comment on the Clearaudio Clever Clamp is that you have to press it down, and in a suspended table, that could stress your suspension.

The Michell (and its OEM the Living Voice clamp) is a reflex type. You lock and release by just twisting.

But hey, if you wanted to flatten out a warped record, then both will require you to press down.

karlw · 15th May 2006, 05:51 PM

My problem with the clever clamp (I used to have one) is that it doesn't really hold the spindle very well. I think the only ones that work without weight are the thread-on types, like on the VPI turntables. In fact I think they work far better than anything with just weight unless it is very very heavy. So unfortunately, this doesn't help the OP very much.

Maybe all these inventive minds can come up with something?

-Karl

Nanook · 16th May 2006, 02:55 AM

there existed a "tripod" record clamp. Can't remember the brand.... but I used one for a while. As much pressure as needed with very low weight.

It was sold through UHF magazine in Canada, I think..

tubenut · 16th May 2006, 06:15 AM

Hi Nanook

Black and orange thing? I remember trying a Nagaoka that had 3 orange rubber pads and a "clamping" mech activated with a twist.

Karlw

I think the clever clamp is quite tight, however I believe there is no absolute standard on spindle thickness (somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 dia depending on deck) so that makes it hard to get such a simple device to fit all. It clamped well on my Linn Axis and Funk Firm "Funk Vector" when I checked. The funk as standard uses a lightweight threaded clamp which is great but only works on the Funk threaded spindle....

If :furious" can try a clever clamp it may work for him all depending on the exact spindle thickness on his deck...

karlw · 16th May 2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tubenut

I think the clever clamp is quite tight, however I believe there is no absolute standard on spindle thickness (somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 dia depending on deck) so that makes it hard to get such a simple device to fit all. It clamped well on my Linn Axis and Funk Firm "Funk Vector" when I checked.

That may be. I had a Dual turntable, and it may have been that the clamp was also well-used and thus a little worn out.

-Karl

ericpeters · 16th May 2006, 10:43 PM

You should get/make a "Goldmund" style clamp.

I will try to describe how it works
It is a relative light aluminium clamp with acrylic bottom and copper small inner clamp. The inner clamp sticks about 6mm out of the clamp underneath. When you put the clamp on the record and turn the screw top this will pull the innerclamp inwards while it firmly grips the spindle. It is a very strong grip and you don't need to use any force.

I have had a Mitchel clamp but you need to push this with force on the record will tightening it. It will never be as tight as the Goldmund.

The Oracle also works good but for this you will need to put thread on the spindle itself. (This will wear the record label as the whole clamp turns while tightening)

tubenut · 17th May 2006, 06:53 AM

A picture pleeeeeeaaaaase Eric.........

14th May 2006, 11:05 AM	#1
furious diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: brno	DIY lightweight record clamp -!not based on weight! I was searching for a suitable record clamp for my turntable (nad 5120) which has a floating chassis, so clamps which press the record by their weight are not compatible with my turntable.I would like to find something which is attached to the rotating axis of the turntable, and pressure on the record is achieved by some mechanical technique.(not by the weight of the record clamp).Has anybody found a lightweight record clamping solution for floating suspension turntabels?

15th May 2006, 08:14 AM	#3
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	Clear Audio Souther Clever Clamp should work..... It is light as it is plastic and it is low weight and grabs the spindle. It is also not that expensive @ 30 dollars, although it is just a plastic disc. The only part I do not like about it and why I do not use mine on my Linn with Akito is that the headshell has a diagonal flange on its side that on some lead out grooves hits the clamp. No probs with a Rega arm though... http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc....t.A/id.1139/.f __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

16th May 2006, 02:55 AM	#6
Nanook diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chinook Country.Alberta	some time ago... there existed a "tripod" record clamp. Can't remember the brand.... but I used one for a while. As much pressure as needed with very low weight. It was sold through UHF magazine in Canada, I think.. __________________ stew ☮ -"A sane man in an insane world appears insane."

16th May 2006, 06:15 AM	#7
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	Hi Nanook Black and orange thing? I remember trying a Nagaoka that had 3 orange rubber pads and a "clamping" mech activated with a twist. Karlw I think the clever clamp is quite tight, however I believe there is no absolute standard on spindle thickness (somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 dia depending on deck) so that makes it hard to get such a simple device to fit all. It clamped well on my Linn Axis and Funk Firm "Funk Vector" when I checked. The funk as standard uses a lightweight threaded clamp which is great but only works on the Funk threaded spindle.... If :furious" can try a clever clamp it may work for him all depending on the exact spindle thickness on his deck... __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

17th May 2006, 06:53 AM	#10
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	A picture pleeeeeeaaaaase Eric......... __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration


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14th May 2006, 12:44 PM	#2
k3ys3r_soz3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: bristol	how about the michel record clamp - uses pawls to grip the spindle - and is reasonably lightweight

15th May 2006, 09:02 AM	#4
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	I have both of the aforementioned products. My comment on the Clearaudio Clever Clamp is that you have to press it down, and in a suspended table, that could stress your suspension. The Michell (and its OEM the Living Voice clamp) is a reflex type. You lock and release by just twisting. But hey, if you wanted to flatten out a warped record, then both will require you to press down.

15th May 2006, 05:51 PM	#5
karlw diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Mexico	My problem with the clever clamp (I used to have one) is that it doesn't really hold the spindle very well. I think the only ones that work without weight are the thread-on types, like on the VPI turntables. In fact I think they work far better than anything with just weight unless it is very very heavy. So unfortunately, this doesn't help the OP very much. Maybe all these inventive minds can come up with something? -Karl

16th May 2006, 10:43 PM	#9
ericpeters diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Deep South	You should get/make a "Goldmund" style clamp. I will try to describe how it works It is a relative light aluminium clamp with acrylic bottom and copper small inner clamp. The inner clamp sticks about 6mm out of the clamp underneath. When you put the clamp on the record and turn the screw top this will pull the innerclamp inwards while it firmly grips the spindle. It is a very strong grip and you don't need to use any force. I have had a Mitchel clamp but you need to push this with force on the record will tightening it. It will never be as tight as the Goldmund. The Oracle also works good but for this you will need to put thread on the spindle itself. (This will wear the record label as the whole clamp turns while tightening)

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