DIY linear tonearm

[Andrey Grigorievich]

The pauses between tracks would begin earlier for the reading arm and would end earlier too.

This is exactly what I wrote about in my post 5488 about synchronizing two cartridges.
But Carlo did not consider this a problem (5489).

Let's see what solution he has.
I have my own solution.

 

[Mike56]

I would be delighted and intrigued to see your solutions Andrey, and any others out there.
I consider this forum as the place where you offer up your good thoughts and advice as early as possible to help others.
Sometimes i am wrong, quite often in fact, but that's OK! - i learn.
Lots of people have helped me enormously that way and i hope if you join in that way you will find it a very constructive and respectful place!
What do you think will help in Carlo's development please?
M

 

[Paul Ebert]

Hi Paul, i built numerous experiments without any machining equipment at all, and i am sure many others the same.
Don't be daunted by that!
I chose non recirculating balls on anodised aluminium rails to avoid recirculating ball bearings and glass rails (where i also started).
Its an elegant and simple solution allowing low resistance with simple bought in parts.
M

Thanks for the reply, Mike.
For the rails, do you mean something like these?
Linear Motion Shaft: Ceramic coated 6061 Aluminum

My first prototype, though I'm not even sure I'd call it that, more like an investigation of concept is pictured below. It uses a glass tube and these bearings:
3/16x3/8 ceramic ball bearing
Is that the sort of bearing you're talking about? If not, could you please elaborate (link, picture or description)?

It seems to me that there are 2 material (as opposed to design) upgrades from my current prototype. The first would be a tungsten carbide rod. I'm not sure where I'd buy this or if it would require machining I cannot perform. The second would be a jewel bearing design. What I've seen off the shelf is a bespoke design based on parts from a vendor like this:
Swiss Jewel
Is this the sort of thing we're talking about? These parts seem very small and fragile. Am I wrong about that? I'm also not clear which parts I would use and I don't know what I'd use as a disc or wheel.

Initial "investigation of concept"