BIX TT Won't Hold Speed - Bearing Lube?


Gents,

About a year ago, I bought a BIX turntable, which came with its own synthetic bearing lube, which I used. The bearing is the middle vintage with the built-on platter collar, not the latest one with the oil grooves.

It seems like I have to adjust the playing speed quite often with this TT, and it seems to be related to temperature. In the winter, when the indoor temp is lowest (65-72) it runs the slowest, and in the summer, when the temp hovers around 80, it runs fastest.

The bearing has a very tight tolerance, so I think it's the viscosity of the oil that is affecting the speed. What type of lube would give me the most constant speed in this type of situation? Has anyone else encountered this problem?

My other TT is a Michell Orbe and I've also used a lot of the VPI tables in the past, and never had this problem with any of those.
plato
I agree, ATF does work well. I think you might want to avoid any that contain certain additives, like teflon, etc, but I'm not sure. Maybe try a search on this over at AA.
I am fairly new to this hobby, but I would like to put something on the table regarding temperature. I would think that after a few hundred revolutions, the bearing would warm enough to make a cool ambient temperature a non-issue. I realize that the whole point is to eliminate friction, but it sure seems like that 10-20 degree difference is negligible. Maybe the motor is sensitive to AC current flucuations. Again, I am no expert, and welcome a mild correction if needed ;)-b
My good friend Billbo, the Bix TT uses a DC motor. It is isolated from AC fluctuations by a step-down transformer, known in the common tongue as a wall-wart. Your idea is interesting but the Bix-ians would find it strange, foreign even.

- Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to... giggle! <;~)
Hi Doug and Dan,

Thanks for your tip on the ATF, I will likely try that soon. It sounds like a good idea.

Billbo, I appreciate your attempt. DD might be right, but my feeling is that you should never be afraid to jump into the fray and participate. :)