Platter material

[A3rd.Zero]

how would cast nylon be as a platter material?

Thanks

Milo

 

[sreten]

Wieght is not particular good, other than that should be fine.

🙂 sreten.

 

[SY]

You want a highly-filled nylon, since it's pretty hygroscopic and you don't want the platter to warp or change dimensions during moist weather.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

Well the issue is that I want a disk that I don't have to balance or machine. But everything seems really expensive. MCMASTER has Nylon cast disks 4" thick at 12" diameter for ~$160. Thats the only pre-made disk I have found so far.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Milo

 

[Jerry T.]

I find $160,- a lot of money. I will bet you that any machining company in your neighbourhood will make you a nice platter for about $100,- . It shouldn't cost more than that! Just ask around.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

jerry
what material would you be using? 4" thick plex or acrylic in a 12x12 sheet is around $100 by itself right?

Milo

 

[krishu]

Hello,

acrylic (PMME) is really expensive, I got mine quite cheap from Thomas Scheu (www.scheu-analogue.com); you can use hard PVC instead (black would be nive too look at) and should be relatively cheap. But you won't get it that thick, I guess.

If I had to choose from zero I wouzld go for one or two inchjes of solid aluminium and on top of that a layer of same thicknes made out of acrylic or PVC.

On my website there are few thoughts about platter material, I read a few articles recently reviewing Transrotor Turntables whicha re offered with different platters, the differences wherer described exactly. But I can't recall everything now ...

Cheers
Christian.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

krishu
thanks for the info. I was thinking about a sandwich type of thing, and actually I have a sheet of 1/4" UHMW that I could use as the top layer. UHMW is a Static Dissipative so I think that will be a good material, although I will need a way to keep the LP from slipping on its surface, maybe a rubber insert right at the label area and a LP clamp on the spindle. Jury is still out on the second layer but Polypropylene is cheep so I may go there, or ill just use an old aluminum platter from my gerrard lab 80.

Thanks for the help.

Milo

 

[SY]

UHMW is a Static Dissipative

In general, it isn't. There are static dissipative grades available that contain semiconductive fillers.

If I could choose any material, it would be a highly-filled vinyl (PVC) or a hard rubber (up in the Shore D range), to provide mass loading and a reasonable acoustic match to the record. The price of the material is one thing, but you also have to consider that it will still probably need machining to get it flat and smooth enough.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

Ok so how about this.

Aluminum base topped with 10 old records that are scratched beyond use? Glue them all together, maybe a little roofing felt between the layers, some JB weld, or contact cement. Bingo...high mass, and acoustic match to records.

Thoughts?

Milo

 

[SY]

Remember that records aren't flat.

 

[loonatron]

There are static dissipative grades available that contain semiconductive fillers

where do you find out info like that? from a product catalogue? Are there suppliers who will sell small amounts of this type of material, who will also be able to give you this kind of information?

...thanks, I hope no-one minds me butting in...

 

[SY]

I'd check the usual suspects, McMaster-Carr and TAP Plastics in the US. In Oz, I haven't a clue.

 

[tvi]

The following links are pretty useful for info on polymers.

Boedeker Plastics
and the
Polymer Search Engine

Hope this helps
Regards
James

 

[loonatron]

thanks very much!

(Milo, sorry to butt in, I hope you didn't mind)

 

[A3rd.Zero]

Not in the slightest! 🙂

Milo

Looked in TAP's website. I think ill go with the 1/4" thick 12"diam Acrylic disk. they are about ~$8 each so 2 inches is $62, the cheapest I have found.