The Beginner and Experienced, but ' Yet to be Initiated ' into the usage of Vintage TT's from either DD TT's or Idler Drive TT's can make a valuable assessment of how to proceed, if they are fortunate to dicover this thread during any investigation that is undertaken.
Different Individuals are having different experiences in how they view the condition of their TT's.
I have not identified the Brands of DD TT's that have had issues requiring attention from a supporting service after my inspections were undertaken.
From assessing reports being offered by other Posts, there is a overlap of Brands being referred to, this is a good thing, as it does mean commonly selected DD TT's are to be purchased with a condition that needs correcting.
What is not known at present is how intensive and Intrusive the Inspections undertaken has been carried out by each individual.
My Purchases remain untouched as found, prior to any inspections.
I do not condone forcing a little oil down the Top entry point of the Spindle Bearing Housing to be a 'Long Term Fix all'.
As there are reports of Bearing Housings being discovered to be dry in reports across various forums.
A Flush Clean and Re-lubrication of a Bearing Housing is in my view the basic goal to be achieved.
The Spindle is immediately checked for any noticeable Sideways Movement.
Spindles can lift in the Vertical Plain so this can be discovered on various Brands when removing a Platter, it should not be causing any concerns.
The TT's are initially inspected with a Off Board Strobe Speed Measure,
to help Identify if any thing is showing up with the TT's Speed.
Any obvious anomalies discovered with Speed, can mean a Mechanical or Electronics Issue.
I check the Brake Speed, as very noticeable variations in this can mean that there are underlying Electronic Concerns.
On the same Brands I have, the Stop Time has been almost a instant Stop, through to taking Multiple Seconds, to come to a Stop.
Once this is done the TT remains unused, awaiting further investigation.
When time allows, the Bearing Housing is detached from the Chassis.
Followed by the removal of the Spindle and the Spindle Housing Thrust Pad Base Assembly of Parts.
A decision will be made if the TT is to be dealt with by myself or if it is to be made available to an Individual who has better Skill Sets than my own for fixing a Electronics or Bearing Issue.
As to Bearing Spindles a Interference Fitted Steel Ball at the Base can be removed if seen with damage and replaced with a Modern Material Ball or Original Steel Ball.
One might just want to exchange it for a Modern Material Ball to achieve the benefits to be gained from using the material.
The same as stated above, can be said for the Thrust Pad.
For this interface, Spindle > Thrust Pad, I will suggest using materials that have a interface that generates a very Low - Coefficient of Friction.
Note: Separate all Plastic Parts if a Flushing Solution is to be used
that could cause Plastic to Deteriorate.
Only expose Plastic Parts to a Weak Detergent as a Flushing/Cleaning Solution.
It a Plastic Part is a Non Removable Part, the Flushing of Metal Part will be best carried out with the Weak Detergent.
When the Spindle Housing inspected, if there are no Plastic Parts contained within it, the Shaft can be flushed Clean of all original Lubricant Residuals as the Minimum Treatment.
The Flushing Solution will need to removed and the Housing will need to dried.
The Spindle can also be cleaned of the Staining that can seen on the Submerged Area.
Some will choose to Lap Clean the Spindle before considering reusing it.
When considering the Bushes within the Spindle Housing, there are a few options that can be used.
If they are Metal, ( Sintered/Phosphor Bronze they can remain in place and undergo the Flush Clean Treatment for the Shaft.
Another Option is to have a selection of Bushes ( Sintered / Phosphor Bronze ) ordered in and select a Bush with a Internal OD that has a improved Tolerance over the insitu Bush, in relation to the Spindle Diameter.
The Other and not so common option is to have a Bush made to Match the Spindle using a Modern Material that has properties that support a
Low - Coefficient of Friction Function.
The TT's that I intend on using for the Longterm are undergoing the Support from a Individual, where the minimum Treatment is for a Replacement Spindle Ball > Thrust Pad > Bush using Modern Materials.
The TT's I own are all intended to have undergone a Bearing Housing Inspection and Servicing/ Overhaul whilst in my possession.
The above Inspections and Servicing / Modifications are not offered as a being a necessary requirement, they are just my record of how a Inspection can show a unwanted anomaly.
The Operations can be undertaken to any level of the above,
if a Individual has a interest in carrying out a extra activity around their owned Vintage TT's.
I gave the go ahead last year to an Engineer, for another individuals Bearing Overhaul Project to be prioritised over my own requested work.
This Overhaul has a proportion of the Work that I am requesting to be carried out.
I have in the Past Day been invited to listen to the Overhauled and Modified Vintage Japanese DD TT Bearing Housing Assembly as soon as the UK lifts the COVID Measures and allows for meetings within a home.
I can bring one of my Original Spec TT's of the same brand to carry out a comparison, as well as compare the TT's to the Engineers,
Electronics / Mechanical Modified SP10 Mk II.
Reports of past experiences undertaken, have shown,
during Original Spec DD TT comparisons, that the Engineers SP10 Mk II is a very impressive and desirable TT to own.
