Hi all,
I was thinking about whether I would be, at some point, able to make my own tonearm.
I would start with a simple unipivot design and see whether I have the nerves to go through with more complex designs.
However, one thing that is bothering me is whether I could find an effective mechanism for controlling VTA that allows repetitive settings.
Would there be something that I could find and adapt to serve this purpose?
Basically, I am looking for something that, via a thumbscrew, would allow me vertical up/down movement of the pivot assembly to control VTA.
Any thoughts?
I was thinking about whether I would be, at some point, able to make my own tonearm.
I would start with a simple unipivot design and see whether I have the nerves to go through with more complex designs.
However, one thing that is bothering me is whether I could find an effective mechanism for controlling VTA that allows repetitive settings.
Would there be something that I could find and adapt to serve this purpose?
Basically, I am looking for something that, via a thumbscrew, would allow me vertical up/down movement of the pivot assembly to control VTA.
Any thoughts?
I was thinking it might be cool to fabricate a tonearm that had adjustable VTA via rack and pinion (think camera tripod vertical adjustment)
-Justin
-Justin
Cool indeed, but I think in the end you'll want to clamp the armpost real tight to a rigid structure.
greets, MArco
I agree completely, but the rack and pinion would allow you to get the VTA dialed in, and then you could lock it down (most likely with a thumb screw of sorts).
Now if only I knew how to do metal fabrication...
-Justin
Now if only I knew how to do metal fabrication...
-Justin
Hi, I've been using these:
The micrometer heads are readily available and surprisingly strong (they're made to be used as travel stops on machine tools). It gives repeatable vta to stupidly fine limits (0.01mm) and the assembly is rigid enough to use the arm without locking off the slide, though that's an option. I'm sure the construction could be adapted to most arms.
The micrometer moves the top up and down and the bottom plate sits on the arm board and carries a ball bearing fixed to the end of the micrometer shaft. The arm base slides inside an outer, which is made to standard Rega dimensions. This also helps to decouple the bearings from the plinth/armboard.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
The micrometer heads are readily available and surprisingly strong (they're made to be used as travel stops on machine tools). It gives repeatable vta to stupidly fine limits (0.01mm) and the assembly is rigid enough to use the arm without locking off the slide, though that's an option. I'm sure the construction could be adapted to most arms.
The micrometer moves the top up and down and the bottom plate sits on the arm board and carries a ball bearing fixed to the end of the micrometer shaft. The arm base slides inside an outer, which is made to standard Rega dimensions. This also helps to decouple the bearings from the plinth/armboard.
The finish is a hard satin chrome - meant to be really durable in a machine shop. Should last for ever being used like this.
Oh I know, in fact I still use the same ones given to me by my grandfather. I was just saying they should be chromed for "matchings" sake. 😉
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