Can I RENT a record cleaning machine?

Just buy a used 16.5, clean your records, and re-sell it. Your total cost for the machine 'rental' will be the price of the initial shipping.

Though I'd recommend hanging on to it-unless you've decided that you'll never purchase another record.

Shazam, I don't know where you are, so this might not help. My customers are free to use my Typhoon anytime. I ask that if they need inner or outer sleeves, they purchase during the cleaning session. Clearly a win/win. The bonus for me is to maybe spin something I've not heard. Or to have the client hear his lp on a State of The Art System. (Pure sales gimmickry) I did not invent this, call around, maybe somebody in your area does it too.

If you have a small collection clean them by hand like I do.

Good suggestions, thanks everyone. I'll ask my dealer about a loaner if possible. If not, I see a used VPI 16.5 for $400.

I agree with Johnbrown. Buy a used VPI cleaner for $350-400 and sell it when you're done. These things sell within a day or two. This will probably be the easiest and cheapest solution.

For what it's worth, DIY record cleaners are simple to make. I know this isn't what you're looking for, but thought I'd toss it out there for others who might be reading. There's no rocket science inside a cleaner. The basic ingredients are a direct drive turntable and a small shop vacuum. Of course, you'll need a brush and cleaning fluid. Teres has instructions on their site to build one for $50:

http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html

Best of luck!