Do you let the turntable spin when putting down record and attach the clamp.

When they use to Q up a record on a broadcast TT. The motor was shut down. The record was "Q ed" and then flip the motor back on. They stayed on, you flip them off,  then Q UP, normally 2 TT run all the time.

Within 1/2 a revolution the TT is up to speed. Russco, Sparta, QRK, Collins, Fairchild, Roberts. It is a actual test for BOTH, broadcast and transcription type TT

The transcriptions TT had a brake, it stopped the platter top plate but the the motor never stops.. release the brake and away you go.

Little motors like the Garrard and Thoren, didn’t do well if you turn them off. It takes 5-10 min for them to really stabilize. Still 1/2 to 3/4 turn, they should be up to speed after the eddie brake is released and they are warmed up.

I keep a cool 6-12 Broadcast TT around. Fun to fix up and they last forever. Gear Shifters.. YUP They have gear shifters.. Reminds me of my old 45, Stick shift and a foot clutch..

Regards

Keep it running. Put record on, screw clamp. Reverse. 

G

Actually, starting and stopping a belt drive repetitively probably does more harm than just letting it run. Direct Drive turntables are impervious to just about anything, their one major advantage in home use. Unless you are slip queuing records torque is not that important. I know, gives a turntable better pace and timing blah, blah, blah.
To bad nobody makes a DD table with an adequate suspension and vacuum clamping with a platter thick enough to keep the cartridge away from the motor. Why would anyone want to market a new turntable? Vinyl will be dead in just a few short years:-) 

Whenever you que up a record with the platter spinning, with or without a clamp/weight, you increase your chance of an accident. 

To bad nobody makes a DD table with an adequate suspension and vacuum clamping with a platter thick enough to keep the cartridge away from the motor

Obviously you know nothing about reference Direct Drive turntables. Some of them are suspended like Luxman PD-444, some have vacuum pump and specially designed platter like Victor TT-801 and others.

If someone really need suspended DD they could buy isonoe feet here.

Some reference superheavy direct drive have built-in springs like this. 

What DD do you have in mind when you post bad things about DD in general?