Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

The SAEC mat is not prone to slipping on the platter surface even without tape and without drilling the LP, but I do use a record weight and will continue to do so. The drilling seems to have been recommended to prevent the LP from moving with respect to the mat. Live and learn.

So then guys i've bought a second QL10. 
Why?
The first one came from Columbia and useless parcel service trashed it - sadly the guy who sold it packed it like an idiot too.
Wilkinsons in Lancashire did a superb peiece of work over a long period of time to fix it. I got them to put a new PTFE thrust plate and install a silicone nitride ball into the bearing. They recapped it - re-soldered any dry joints and gave it a lengthy electrical 'wet test'. I have now put it into a plinth. I had a local guy polish the platter. Electrically brilliant - the only problem is that UPS managed to smash the cover, break the legs and worst of all damage the platter - its tilted at one end by about a mm - and i am paranoid about a precision instrument (which a turntable is) being slightly out.
I tried to locate a platter and was told to get a machinist to either true my platter or make a new one. If it was to be the latter i guessed it would  easily cost £300 - £500 - it would not have the damping rubber either.
Then along came a QL10 for sale in Glasgow - and I had to have it - with the UA 7045 arm for £400 - fully working. I've sent it directly to Wilkinsons to get it recapped etc - I want it to be 'good as new'.
I must say that the seller bought it about 8 years ago, in a JVC stand, with the top of the line JVC amp for... £25.00 - good man.
@gipsonian - if you are in the UK contact wilkinsons - they know their onions

I will say this. The TT101 and the other Japanese Uber decks may well be a pain to service now - they are complicated - they were back then - they are so now. 
My only question is - is it really worth the bother?

I have the same stock plinth from QL-10 but the color is much darker. I like this small plinth better than the one designed for 2 tonearms. Stock feet is garbage, the best are AT-616 pneumatic and this is what i’m gonna use. Will put my Technics EPA-100 mkII or Ikeda IT-345 in this plinth.

If a buyer can repair TT-101 in his own country then it is worth the investment for sure! But at the same time some killer DD turntables like Denon DP-80 are cheaper and almost always in perfectly working condition (same with my beloved Lux PD-444).

P.S. Victor UA-7045 is a very nice tonearm if the rubber grommet is strong enough to support counterweight (or must be replaced with a new one). After owing various samples of NOS or perfect 7045 (and some not perfect ones too) i finally upgraded to the UA-7082 and now with Victor MCL10 cartridge it is a killer tonearm! 

Dear @chakster I've seen you mention the AT 616 legs before.

My problem with them is that the cheapest set i have seen is about £250.00. I do not have a problem affording that but there are modern options by Townshend that are worth exploring. Likewise I just find the thought of accessories costing as much as many a component a bit silly.
That said I would like to know what goes into their design