VPI-HW19 first model

While the mechanical aspects of the motor are critical, don’t underestimate the electrical performance!

Jan @ VPI did a fair amount of practical research into the vibrational performance of various motor capacitors. The newer high voltage caps are readily available and highly recommended if you’re NOT using an external controller such as their SDS which can “cog” the motor when line voltages are lowered. (Line level voltages are essential for properly conveying Pace, Rhythm and Timing on high mass systems IMO.)

I just tested it with old cap hard wired to see if it’s spinning before actually starting disassembly.

I’ll try to see if this old motor with the new cap after some surgical clean-up and lube will run better than newer one.

Will put myself onto test on how good or lousy am I by trying to make from crap a cake. :-)

Best of luck! You’ve got nothing to loose 👍

To emphasize the importance of mechanical grounding, press an edge of the motor frame against something of mass such as the top of your work table with it turning. Feel what happens when the vibration can drain off 😳

@boothroyd , I finally got a grip on paste dielectric synthetic grease.

From what I see I need to really pack this anchor all the way to the top literally squeezing it over the shaft right into basket magnet. It might be a factor of consuming more power from the wall due to the thick viscosity, but it really should reduce vibrations. I really don't care if motor is loud, but all I care is about typical vibrations to any synchronous AC motor that shouldn't be used as a turntable motor at all. It's more good to power tools like grinder than turntables.

Here we go:

My work has been completed with MAJOR success of reconditioning an old original motor. The transferred vibrations had been completely eliminated to the plinth through motor. As I figured, I packed the magnet well topped off before sliding it back into the spindle hole. I had to apply some pressure to the bottom of the anchor so to fit the c-lip back in. I used typical dielectric synthetic grease that really showed magic of not being able to go through the spindle hole with sufficient viscosity to make every part of spinning magnet bathing in grease under pressure. There I followed principle of drive shaft or wheel bearings. Some degree of vibrations was notable when applying extra pressure to plinth, but those cannot be heard at all neither at the beginning of record nor at the end of dead wax.

I liked this grease so I’ve used it on my cue lever also with success.

Overall, GREAT TT.