Pros and Cons of Platter Mass

From my investigations undertaken of how a increased Platter Weight can impact on a TT that is not supplied with a Heavy Platter.                      I have learnt that the Thrust Pad can show signs of increased wear after a lesser period than anticipated, where inspection of the part has shown noticeable indentation occurring from the Point Loading.
There are harder Thrust Pad Materials that will alleviate this condition and offer improved performance and longevity of use.
There is also the condition that can be impacted on where a Spindle can have a eccentric rotation and the addition of Platter weight can cause an increase to the force from the Spindle when coming into contact with the Bearing Bush.
A Hydrodynamic condition for the lubrication may prevent the Spindle/Bush coming into contact. From my investigations of certain vintage TT's there is not much evidence to show the Bearing / Bush interface had successfully maintained a Hydrodynamic Interface, there was possibly not a design from the outset to produce the interface.

The reports of increasing the Mass/weight of the Platter are usually seen with a positive appraisal where there are perceptions that a improvement is present in relation to noise reduction.

I have not seen measurements that will show changes that are able to to support such modifications, the usual, is that there is a trend and the individuals carrying out the mod's are collective in their positive appraisal.   

In my opinion, the platter, spindle, and bearing with or without thrust pad form a closed system in the sense that they are carefully engineered to work well together in a well designed turntable. Therefore I would be loathe to do anything to dramatically alter platter mass or the materials used at the bearing/thrust pad interface, or even the lubricant, without considering the effects on the other constituents of the closed system.

I would be loathe to do anything to dramatically alter platter mass or the materials used at the bearing/thrust pad interface, or even the lubricant, without conside   ring the effects on the other constituents of the closed system.

I wish more folk would heed this sage advice.

I have seen a number of Garrard 301/401 TT's with aftermarket thrustpads/balls that have damaged/worn the spindle.
I have seen many TT's with accelerated bearing wear from using "better" oil.

I have learnt that the Thrust Pad can show signs of increased wear after a lesser period than anticipated, where inspection of the part has shown noticeable indentation occurring from the Point Loading.
There are harder Thrust Pad Materials that will alleviate this condition and offer improved performance and longevity of use.

And you forgot to add may well stuff your main spindle.

By using a "harder" thrust pad you increase the chances of wearing out your spindle - yippee - try finding another spindle for that vintage turntable that is no longer manufactured. The improved performance will only last a year or so until the spindle is stuffed.

Peripheral Rings and Puck Weights are a common used method, and when used are adding mass, where the Peripheral Ring has the added effect to increase inertia.
Each of these ancillaries when in use, add weight to the Platter and increase on the load being applied to the Spindle and Interfaces.  
I am not aware of any TT Producers putting forward disclaimers that advise against the use of such ancillaries. These ancillaries are commonly accepted as methods to be used to Clamp a LP to a Platter.

To date I have not seen any reports that suggest a detrimental outcome to a Bearing Assembly has occurred as a result of these ancillaries being used.  There may be others that know a different outcome.