SME V service manual/parts list

I'm really good at following graphic instructions. I can't fault the SME user manual in that regard, step by step this is the easiest setup I could hope for.

Yes, @dekay, I did rebalance - dead nuts neutral, just a HAIR forward (but not 0.25gm worth) per manual instruction.

Extra scale? Here you go:

 

As you can see, the weight is a LITTLE over 1.5 gm

 

 

Ortofon scale:

 

Digital:

 

Seller was as surprised as I was to find his 2.0 gm setting was really only about 1.5 something (I forget, that was days and many gm scale readings ago).

 

so I've done the drill twice, just now - for assurances' sake - and got the same outcome. Dial is set at about 1.55 gm, actual tracking force is 1.75 gm.

 

I can live with this, but should I? That's why I've asked about a SERVICE manual.

This isn't a fine watch, neither was the 3009 and I had that completely disassembled, rewired and back in service in a day (I also do 1911 trigger jobs, and S&W too for a hobby).  From an engineering standpoint, there SHOULD be a means of CALIBRATING the TFA but, knowing engineers, I think this is the one category of sinner Dante Alighieri never dreamt of making a special circle of hell for all eternity; there might NOT be a "simple" set screw calibration setting anywhere (not that I can find, anyway).

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

Yup, you were spot on, on how much it's off.

You might try for a consultation with this company in Canada (they may even tell you that it's fine "sonically" as is).

DeKay

PS:

Out of curiosity try ajusting it to higher/lower VTF settings and then measure how much it's off.

Wonder if it's consistent.

 

DeKay

 

smetonearms.com are no longer authorized SME dealers. They used to be the distributor for Canada too (and there is much bad blood about them losing that to Bluebird Music!)

@dekay 

I turned the wheel back and forth several times, MAX, slightly above 3,0 hits 3.36-3.37 consistently. 

Then I backed off a bit.

3+ = 3.36

3=3.17

2.5 = 2.61

2 = 2.10

1.75 = 1.87

1.5 = 1.60

1 = 1.25

 

Then again, and again, “forcing” it a bit at the 3.36 end.

 

1.7 now = 1.81

1.6 = 1.75

where 1.55 used to be 1.75

 

it’s a LOT harder to turn than I would expect. Feels like some old guns I’ve rebuilt where the lighter, more volatile components of the 50-200 year old oils/grease have gone to smog, what’s left behind stiffer than a double shot of Maker’s Mark.

The bearings in the horizontal plane/tower are FINE, loose as a goose or great aunt Lucy, but how to approach a “fix” maybe with modern synthetic oils in the right spot I’ll ponder while I just play the heck of out this setup, break in that Benz Glider.

 

I’ll live with it for now. I’ve emailed SME canada and Bluebird Music, I’ll see what they think.