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Wayne's Audio Problems?

I bought a record clamp from Wayne's Audio in April of this year and was initially impressed with the quality but after five months the stainless steel threaded ferrule would no longer release the spindle when the knob was turned. I contacted Wayne and related the defect to him after only a few months of sporadic use especially for something that should last decades and he said it was too late to return it but would sell me a replacement ferrule. I asked him if it would continue to fail requiring repurchase every 6 months or so. He responded with read my return policy. Not exactly the customer service I was expecting and leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Anyone else?
80wahoo
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
I’ve looked at image of the clamp and clamp bits..and I don’t quite see the problem.

Please elaborate...

the only potential point where it might lock up, from my best guess, is that someone might torque the living crap out of it and it might lock up. (not saying that you are, but that this is a possible problem area. for all clamps of this design type - which is most)

At that point, bit of oil on the stainless steel threading might be in order.

which did you get? the solid metal or what looks like a wood bodied one?...ok, just checked, it is something akin to anodization, and they appear to all be metal, just different finishes. A dab of oil in the right spot might fix any sticking or binding.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,689 posts
 
Also if its stainless steel on stainless steel you could be encountering galling, that's when the metal binds with a similar metal and bonds itself together. Stainless is notorious for galling, not a great metal IMO there are better for almost every condition, but highly corrosive situations. 
As Teo_ audio mentioned a little lubricant can help. 

Glen
80wahoo OP
4 posts
 
The ferrule is split into 4 sections which used to compress and grip the spindle but now just stays compressed. It saw light use and was only tightened enough to grip. Then it just would no longer release. I unscrewed the top of the clamp and removed the base by sliding it upwards then had to wiggle it back and forth to get it off. My half speed master of Tea For the Tillerman was not improved by this back and forth but it finally came loose enough to get off the spindle.  I lightly pried it open with a small jeweler's flat bladed screwdriver and reassembled and tightened again (off the turntable) and it compressed and stayed that way. Very disappointing seller response-- pay me more $ to replace my defective product. Beware this guy! 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
80, There are several things you could do. 1st would be to get a mid weight oil like 5W-30 auto oil and lubricate the ferule with that. If that does not work you can buff the ferule on a polishing wheel with gray compound. A Dremel tool with a felt wheel will do. Then use oil also.
It sounds like Wayne used the wrong angles for this to work right as well as the wrong metal.  Brass or gun metal, which is self lubricating and won't gall would have worked much better.
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