I recently received a replacement idler wheel for my rek-o-kut model lp-743. The platter is spinning too fast. Here is what I had done to the table prior to reassembly:
1) Took the motor apart and cleaned it. It was filthy inside.
2) Lubricated the motor bearings
3) Cleaned the post that the idler spins on with acetone
4) Used light oil (3 in 1 brand) to oil the bottom washer, the inside of the bronze bushing in the idler wheel, then the top washer.
The lp-743, along with other Rek-o-kut decks of this type have an adjustable stop where you move the slider to and that will set it to the proper speed. The table is either running too fast or the idler has stopped.... no fine tuning is possible no matter where you set the stop to. Using my record weight didn't help either (about 1 pound in weight).
Previously when I tried the idler without lubricating the wheel mount (washers, post, bushing, etc...) the platter was running too slow, by about 10%, and there was no amount of adjustment that would correct it.
Has anyone else had an issue such as this with either the lp-743, L-34, or L37 tables? They all use the same type of idler system. I am using an led strobe which I purchased from Tindie that is made for speed checking turntables.
Any help would be appreciated.
1) Took the motor apart and cleaned it. It was filthy inside.
2) Lubricated the motor bearings
3) Cleaned the post that the idler spins on with acetone
4) Used light oil (3 in 1 brand) to oil the bottom washer, the inside of the bronze bushing in the idler wheel, then the top washer.
The lp-743, along with other Rek-o-kut decks of this type have an adjustable stop where you move the slider to and that will set it to the proper speed. The table is either running too fast or the idler has stopped.... no fine tuning is possible no matter where you set the stop to. Using my record weight didn't help either (about 1 pound in weight).
Previously when I tried the idler without lubricating the wheel mount (washers, post, bushing, etc...) the platter was running too slow, by about 10%, and there was no amount of adjustment that would correct it.
Has anyone else had an issue such as this with either the lp-743, L-34, or L37 tables? They all use the same type of idler system. I am using an led strobe which I purchased from Tindie that is made for speed checking turntables.
Any help would be appreciated.
You possibly have this information but just in case;
Rek-O-Kut LP-743 - Manual - 3-Speed 12-Inch Transcription Turntable - Vinyl Engine
Rek-O-Kut LP-743 - Manual - 3-Speed 12-Inch Transcription Turntable - Vinyl Engine
Its a really strange situation..... with the idler post dirty, it was spinning too slowly. Clean the thing up, it spins too quickly.
I did go back and remove as much lubrication as I could from the post and both the top and bottom washers for that idler. No difference.
I did go back and remove as much lubrication as I could from the post and both the top and bottom washers for that idler. No difference.
Although I have never looked at this make it might have a magnetic speed adjuster that should be easy to find as it will be a powerful magnet. This might have an adjuster to take it close to an aluminium drum or disc to act as a friction free brake. Sometimes a turntable is made up from two or more tuntables. This can make the speed change outside the scope of the brake. If so a pulley of a different diameter was fitted at the factory. It often was about 2% smaller. Many turntables of the 1950's through to 1970's used induction motors that were not truely synchonous. There were many good reasons why they should, the small variations in speed being the down side if wanting mass production from a low skills workforce. Strange how the qualities for the latter became the norm. A Lenco can put so many turntables to shame. The speed adjustment is cunning to say the least. Make a virtue out of what is almost a vice. Well loved for teaching ballroom dancing I am told with any speed you like inside the speed range. You hand set it with a strobe and screw down stops for exact speed. I still have a Lenco strobe disc screwed to my shed door for when it is needed.
And I am an absolute moron.....the selector for 45 rpm was on. Thats what I get for working on it with no sleep.....UGH
I had one in the car the other day. Nothing dangerous. Just I had to be careful. The worst thing is it was certain to happen and I had no choice. I arrived home just as the sun set which was the plan. It was a gamble between sleep and sun set. My poor old VW has year 2000 lamps which don't do well these days. More powerful bulbs might be worse as style seems to have been the priority. They are as sophisticated as a beer bottle.
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