Micro-Seiki RX-5000 platter question

You can slip some string under the platter to lift it off - use two pieces either side of the spindle.

Also note that the Micro bearing tolerance is incredibly small, the bearing oil should be left alone - it is specially designed for the tight tolerance. If you turn the spindle ( without the latter on ) by hand, there is a drag, this is the way it is designed to work.

I found a great way to clean platters etc is to use heavy duty degreaser like CRC Heavy Duty Electraclean - this removes grunge and grease but does not scour the surface, and residual evaporates off.

I suspect you underestimated the degree of corrosion on the platter.  I did get it removed using two 4" M3 screws.  It would move up 1/9" or so and stop.  I took some very low tech pine shims and worked them in to three places around the platter.  Using vice grips on the screws we slowly pulled up and slowly worked the shims in further.  At a certain point in came free.  I sanded with 320 grit, then slowly up through 4000, then changing to different grades of polishing compounds.  Up and running, bearing seems fine, no noise with a stethoscope, just need to figure out what platter mat as it's quite sensitive to different ones.  I'm intrigued by the CU-180 copper mat they made but it's big bucks to experiment with.  Don't see a way to post a pic...

@hifiguys 

Sounds good.

Platter mats are always a subject of debate. I keep on hand Micro 180, Final Audio ( 4.5kg chrome copper ), Goldmund Methacrelate/Clamp, SAEC 300, Seisin and a few others.

I keep them all because really the "best" mat can vary so much depending on the platter underneath the record - different platters different mat.

Do you have the gunmetal platter (most common )or stainless steel platter ( rare ).

If you have the gunmetal platter the cheapest option for you would be to just use a very thin leather mat.

I would be weary of buying a Micro Cu180 because most of them are warped.

There are some less expensive gunmetal mats around like the Tenuto that come up for sale every now and again.

SAEC 300 is very good on most decks - it has a very relaxed sound. The copper mats can be a little more incisive.

I have also had success with the Boston Audio Mat 2 on a 13kg gunmetal platter - not the best of the best but very good and hard to beat for the money.

Another option is glass/crystal plus leather - the glass dampens the ringy Micro platter and actually sounds ok - I experimented with one on my Garard 301/401 heavy platter. They can be had for about $100 with recessed centre label.

I also find the Micro Stabilisers pretty useless. You either need a reflex type clamp or a stabiliser with decent weight - 1.0kg up. Otherwise they don't really do much.

I use the Saec with no stabiliser, the copper mats with stabiliser, for example.

Unfortunately it's trial and error, so start with a couple of cheapies to get a feel for what you might like.