Looking for guidance with older VPI HW-19 tables

This is a great discussion about a fine table. VPI's Harry Weisfeld was asked over at VinylAsylum how the 19IV ranks with VPI's current tables and he had this answer:

The 19 MK-4 was one of my favorite tables, I would put it between a Scoutmaster and an Aries 3 but in someways as good as or better than either. Tt has a great soundstage and really takes the walls down when listening.

Rabbit,
Basically nobody out there in audio-land is doing any mods, or selling any upgrade parts, as far as new Plinths, Armboards, or fabricating such are concerned. Some months back, I contacted VPI, as I had heard they may have had some HW-19 Steel Sub-Chassis left, an important component, if you wanted to take the Jr, to a
legit MK-III, or MK-IV Status, but alas the folks at VPI claimed there were none left. As far as I know, neither ar Armboards, Sorbo Pucks, Suspension Springs.

Very little left I'm afraid, maybe the Oak Bases, Dustcovers, Motors, maybe Hinges, and an On/Off Switch, but that's about it.

If you wanted to take a Jr to a higher level, like I did some months back, I had to get the raw materials (Acrylic Plinth) and have the Plinth Drilled by a local Machinist. A couple of the older VPI Platters (TNT, and MK-IV) will fit the Jr, it's a quick swap, but one might then encounter Tonearm Height problems.

Again, I had a custom, taller Arm-Base fabricated to accomodate a taller 16lb MK-IV Lead Filled Platter. Same would be true with the current all acrylic MK-IV Platter, or Super Platter, in that Tonearm Height might be a problem without some mods to raise its height.

I believe the SAMA is still available, but appears to always be a back-order item with VPI. One can make a "poor man's SAMA", by supporting-isolating the Plinth from Base. I've heard some have done it quite simply with something like 4 tomato cans under the Plinth.

The VPI SDS will work with any VPI Table, past, or present. Hope this helps. Mark

I just made some 1 inch think armboards from Michigan hard maple. They are stained gloss black with at least 3 coats of glossy urethane. I made 4 of them and used one for my audioquest tonearm. I have to say the sound is more controlled and carries a slightly warmer tone than the skinny acrylic arm board. I am using the springs and the table have cone feet sits on a slab of 3 inch think michigan hard maple as well. All is good and I am liking it.

What modifications/parts are required to take a stock MkIII to MkIV standards. Can a MKIV platter simply replace the stock MkIII platter with no modification to the turntable?

I recently picked up a HW19 Mk3 for a aux. system. I was really suprised by how good it sounds. Why look for one if this is your feeling, "I'm not married to the idea of a VPI HW-19." Does that mean your open to others or your only considering it since it's affordable and available?
Parts are still available from VPI, maybe not the armboard, or plinth, or sub chassis but the bearing is since it was used on many other older models. I had an armboard made up by someone on A-gon but they can be had used as well. You can also put the newer bearing on there with the newer acrylic platter. My friend did this and it's a great sounding deck.
I think for the price it's really the way to go. If you plan on buying used lp's it's a great match especially with a Rega arm.