DIY Record Cleaner (again)

Posted by: Number 5 on 11 May 2003

I am going to make a record cleaning machine and have read many threads on this forum and would like some additional advice.

I have purchased a very small shop vac and will likely enclose it in a box with the manual "record spinner" on top of the box. I have a couple of questions for those with experience making and using one. I plan to use a Lazy Susan mechanism as the rotating platter with 3/4 inch plywood in a twelve inch circle to sit the record on. Here are my questions...

1) Is it better to have the whole record resting on the 12 inch platter or should only the label be in contact with a four inch diameter platter so when the second side is cleaned the first cleaned side does not touch the wet platter and potentially recontaminate itself.

2) What is the best design for the suction component. I could use a standard vacuum hose and nozzle and position the nozzle on the wet record by hand or I could make a more rigid fixed pipe that could be moved into position over the record using its own rigidity to keep it in place when vacuuming the record. Any comments?

I have very little electrical knowledge however my woodworking skills are good so please nothing complicated.

Thanks in advance

Number 5
Posted on: 12 May 2003 by Mick P
Chaps

Once I get my Aro fitted (have to wait until Loricraft return from the Frankfurt exhibition now, I intend to really give the vinyl a go.

I have seen / heard the Nitty Grittyand Moth and both seem a lot of money for what they are. Also they sound far to loud.

The Loricraft is good but far too expensive.

I like Toms easy peasy approach and have to ask the question, is there any disadvantage in manually rotating it. It does not seem a big hardship to me.

I have acquired too much stuff over the years and I am giving loads of it away and my garage and loft has a lot more space as a result, so Toms small contraption has an appeal.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 12 May 2003 by Number 5
Gents

Thanks for your photos and info. Have you tried elevating the record off the platter by supporting only the label and does the record have enough rigidity with only the label supported to allow you to clean it. I was thinking I would design mine that way if the records were rigid enough.

What type of glue did you find worked best to keep the velvet on the nozzle. I am going to try to use the fuzzy non hooked side of a piece of velcro on the nozzle.

Thanks again fellows
#5
Posted on: 12 May 2003 by ejl
Number 5,

quote:
Have you tried elevating the record off the platter by supporting only the label and does the record have enough rigidity with only the label supported to allow you to clean it.


It's not strong enough; haven't tried it either but I'm certain. Try to find an old turntable with a rubber mat on the platter. The rubber mat is easy to clean, and will also be less likely to dirty the newly cleaned record side than felt or other mat surfaces. I bought a cheap BSR console set for $6; it had a rubber mat and works perfectly.

quote:
What type of glue did you find worked best to keep the velvet on the nozzle.


I used superglue. The velvet wears out after a few hundred cleanings, by the way. It can be removed with a razor blade and then some sandpaper, and new bits attached.

Incidentally, I actually found that I got more suction when I removed the plug at the end of the modified crevice tool. With the plug in, the vacuum motor was straining and not working properly. I also made a little handle for rotating the record with a bit of 2" diameter pvc pipe and a 2" rubber gasket glued to the end. I place the gasket end on the label, which makes it easy to turn the record.

Cheers,
Eric
Posted on: 12 May 2003 by Number 5
As I mentioned earlier I am going to try a Lazy Susan mechanism. A Lazy Susan is one of those revolving circular shelf units in the corner of a kitchen cuboard. It has ball bearings and seems to spin well. In Canada they are available at Home Depot and come in two sizes approximately 12 inches and 6 inches in diameter and are 1/4 inch thick. They cost about 10 dollars which is cheap. A plywood platter can be screwed onto it and covered with foam or an old platter mat. Iam going to build the small shop vac in side a wooden box and attach the platter to the top with an on/off switch. Hopefully it will be quieter inside the box.

#5
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by Mick P
The biggest problem is finding a suitable DIY turntable to mount the LP's on.

I have managed to locate a 10" dia turntable that is built to mount small televisons. It is effectively a plastic 10" dia lasy Susan.

It can be rotated 360 degrees by hand but does not have a center spigot.

Do you think it would be any good.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by ejl
Mick,

It won't work without a spindle. The record needs to be held pretty steady. Maybe you could make one though.

If you're having trouble finding a deck, remember that even an old changer model will work. You can dismantle the changing apparatus and the tonearm.

Eric
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by Mick P
I have thought about buying a clapped out TT but will the platter be too wide. I suppose I could copy Toms trick of the cork inserts to stop the record touching the platter.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by Phil Barry
I have a Nitty ritty derived cleaner, under $200, but that's a lot more than I think you guys are spending.

Trouble is, it doesn't do all that good a job.

Here's what you need to do. Right now.

Go to discdoc.com and buy the disc doctor system. It's a PITA to use, but the results are terrific, if you learn the method (and you can ask discdoc for help). What's more, it's totally silent (except for the cursing when the drying records fall down), so you can listen to music while cleaning LPs.

Buggtussel is also a great system, but it requires a RCM.

Regards.

Phil
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by Mick P
I will look for a knackered turntable.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 17 May 2003 by Number 5
Gents

I have my box made to house the wet/dry vaccuum. It measures 12 inches by 12 inches by 23 inches long and is made of 3/4 inch pine. The platter is made of 1 1/2 inch pine and is 10 inches in diameter which will be attached to the top of the box with a 6 inch metal and ball bearing lazy susan mechanism. The record clamp is also 1 1/2 inches thick by four inches in diameter. I am going to insert a 1/4 inch bolt through the center of the platter to fit the record onto. The clamp will also go onto the bolt and a plastic butterfly nut will tighten the clamp and record to the platter. This will be turned by hand.

The box will have a built in switch to turn the vaccumm on and off as well as a built in pumper bottle to apply the fluid manually. I have designed a built in vaccum arm that will move on and off the record so I don't have to handle a hose as the whole cleaner will be a self contained unit. It should be finished in the next week or so and will have cost less than $100 Canadian. I will post pictures when it is finished on this thread.

I can't wait to clean my first cheap dirty old record!!

#5
Posted on: 20 May 2003 by Mick P
Chaps

I spoke to Terry sullivan today. He is the proprietor of Loricraft who make the record cleaning machine which retails for £1200.00

I mentioned the idea of using an old TT and a modified vacuum cleaner and he confirmed that it will work fine.

Keep the nozzle narrow so as there is plenty of suck was his advice.

There it is from the horses mouth.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 31 May 2003 by Number 5
Update

For those interested. The DIY cleaner is fully assembled and looks like it can suck a golf ball through a garden hose. I have to now take it apart and stain and varathane the pine and then reassemble( I figured if it somewhat resembled furniture it might not be have to be stored in the garage )....... Pictures will follow.

#5
Posted on: 28 June 2003 by Number 5
.....Finally stained...hope to have it up and running soon.....

#5