Looking into building a turntable

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jwags81818

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Joined 2005
#1
Is there any web sites or plans anywhere for building a somewhat high end turn table? I'll buy the arm and am looking to spend around $3-4k total. thinking about just buying a used VPI but if I can build something comparable Id go that route. I am a journeyman level machinist/ mechanical engineer with access to a full on shop.
 
#2
DIY Turntable plans?

You may look to the picture of this forum to get idea for building a TT.

VPI is mainly belt drive unit, if you consider the motors with Fly wheel that become a bit more complex but in my opinion is a nice technical solution. Bearing you can also build a pretty good one, platter depends the material you plan to use, however can be bought an Acrylic one or make one as well.
Plinth is floating or not floating or ....
Speed control is an open issue, may be the most difficult to DIY for a really good results.

You might also tweak a Lenco L75 or L 78 and use only the motor, the platter, eventually a bearing tweaked and improved, regarding the plinth and its material you may find lot of information in this forum. However option are soooo many indeed that is matter of personal choice and some research. I personally think that in case some one like to build a DIY TT he should go for an High End one otherwise do not worth the effort.

Also the TA can be DIY as well...........

Best regards

Adelmo
 
#3
Years ago when my Mitch Cotter died I had John Parker from Choir Audio supply me with the bearing, platter, motor, pulley and speed control from his Choir One table to fit to the Cotter plinth.

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/08/choir-audio-one-turntable.html

Worked very, very well. They are world class parts.

There are other sources for a similar approach ( separate bearing, platter, motor and speed control ). You could pursue that option and build a first class plinth to fit.

One of these days I might get them out of mothballs and actually build a TT from scratch. Problem is I've got a high end table and it's tough to get motivated when what I could build will not be as good as what I've already got ( Amazon Grand Referenz ). But that DIY allure is always there and calling.

Good luck Crazy Bill
 
#4
IMO, it's easier to build a good arm than a good platter, bearing and drive system. What's the swing of your largest lathe? Lots of shops don't have lathes that will turn a 12" platter anymore, though obviously many do. Doing it on the CNC mill works, but IMO isn't as good. Decent simple motors are hard to come by these days, so BLDC is the way to go, but you need a good feedback system and controller. Should be threads here about that. PM me for some hints.
 
#6
FWIW, here's a photo of one I built about 30 years ago that will maybe provide some ideas. I had access to a machine shop when I built this, which made it possible.
  • The platter and plinth are made from a sheet of 1-1/4" plexiglass.
  • The spindle is machined from a non-magnetic stainless and the bearing from I pice of bearing bronze I got from McMaster Carr. I forget the ASTM number.
  • The thrust system consists of a tungsten carbide ball against a 52100 steel ball.
  • The base is an 18x24 granite surface plate.
  • There is no actual suspension. The turntable feet are isolated from the base by EAR Isodamp pads.
  • The platter mat is also made from EAR Isodamp sheet.
  • The motor is a hysteresis synchronous type (my favorite), the smoothest rotation motor I know of with absolutely no cogging or ripple torque.
1651080610085.jpeg
 
#7
Actually making a T/T is easy, making a quality sounding one is very hard. It is actually easier to make an high end arm than a high end T/T, as there arm companies that sell plans & even kit set parts of these.

But the only T/T parts supplier i know of is selling on E/bay from Vietnam https://www.ebay.com/itm/144431107622?hash=item21a0c3ce26:g:ysMAAOSwzKpiF7BU.

Other new bearings are available from Lenco Heaven based around the Lenco & also the 401.

The question is have you got access to a machine shop or do you want to buy everything in?

Cheers
 
#8
jwags818 said:
Is there any web sites or plans anywhere for building a somewhat high end turn table? I'll buy the arm and am looking to spend around $3-4k total. thinking about just buying a used VPI but if I can build something comparable Id go that route. I am a journeyman level machinist/ mechanical engineer with access to a full on shop.
Click to expand...
Hi jwags818,

I meant to post this reply earlier, before you got too far into your project.

You write that you are a journeyman level machinist/ mechanical engineer.
With those qualifications, you have no business building your turntable from kits, the work of others!
Look at the world's various turntable designs and see if you can make any improvements.
If you have the engineering skills, you can do that.

there is no substitute for the satisfaction you get when the design is yours.

I have been inventing and building prototypes of various devices all my life and I always designed my own mechanisms.

Sincerely,

Ralf
 
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#9
Straight Tracker said:
Hi jwags818,

I meant to post this reply earlier, before you got too far into your project.

You write that you are a journeyman level machinist/ mechanical engineer.
With those qualifications, you have no business building your turntable from kits, the work of others!
Look at the world's various turntable designs and see if you can make any improvements.
If you have the engineering skills, you can do that.

there is no substitute for the satisfaction you get when the design is yours.

I have been inventing and building prototypes of various devices all my life and I always designed my own mechanisms.

Sincerely,

Ralf
Click to expand...


Hi,

I would add to:

there is no substitute for the satisfaction you get when the design is yours............AND IT IS WORKING WELL.........


Rgds

Adelmo
 
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